Everyone
has an opponent that, somehow, seems to have your number.
Even though you may have fairly even skills, they always
come out on top. After a while you dread playing them just
because of the self doubt and damage that losing does to your
confidence. You know the problem is mental but that just
makes it harder to fix. Here are some tips to help.
Narrow
your focus. Between points, keep your eyes on
your strings, the ball, your feet, anything but him/her.
You want to stop thinking about your opponent by
focusing on neutral things that won't trigger
negative/distracting thoughts.
Strive to have no emotional reaction
to a lost point no matter how bad the error or good
their shot.
Lastly, force out any thoughts about
the score, who's winning/going to win, etc. This is very
difficult. It's useful to fill your mind with ways to
execute your game plan or rituals/mantras of...watch the
ball, stay loose, etc. Remember to keep these thoughts
neutral. I have a saying, if your thought has a tone
that can be followed with the words "..you idiot!", then
they are not neutral. For example if your tone to
yourself conveys, "Watch the ball you idiot!", then you
are adding stress and negativity not calmness and
neutrality.
Stay focused and use the
tips above to beat your tennis nemesis. You might even
realize that the real nemesis is in your own head.
