TENNIS IS A GAME FOR LIFE
By Vic Braden

Over the years, most coaches have become experts at locating strengths and weaknesses in one’s game.  Now the challenge is to become experts at showing people how to have fun competing, or just rallying with a friend.

Ask yourself a few questions.  Are you scheduled to play a friend today?  Will you get some quality exercise when you play?  Will you have fun just talking to your friend after the match? Will you get a chance to use your brain while under stress?  Did you get rid of some real stress today?  Yes?  Then why is it that we don’t recognize that we’re the luckiest people in the world to have found the sport of tennis?

Many of us only feel good about ourselves if we win our match.  How sad.  We have a tendency to overlook many of the great advantages derived from playing tennis and focus on the outcome of the match we just played.  But there’s a bigger issue.  Research clearly indicates that one is more apt to play better when he/she learns how to effectively deal with stress.  It means that one must learn to be “process” oriented rather that “outcome” oriented.  The best players in the world enjoy the moment and focus on it rather than see a million potential problems.  The bottom line is that people who can laugh during a match are normally able to play better.  Those who overemphasize the importance of the match usually choke on the big points.  “Laugh and Win” has been my motto for several decades.  Give it a try. 

Not long ago, Jimmy Connors was playing a person, in the Nuveen Tour, to whom he had never lost.  Jimmy was down match point.  The crowd smelled an upset.  But Jimmy pulled out the match, as he has done so many times.  The media gathered around Jimmy and wanted to know what he was thinking about when he was down match point.  “Nothing,” replied Jimmy.  A writer then said, “But you were down match point and you pulled out the match…again…what were you thinking about?”  Jimmy replied, “The ball doesn’t know that.”  In other words, Jimmy was able to focus on hitting the ball properly on each shot rather than worry about his potential loss.  People who worry about the outcome have a tendency to choke in the close matches.  Players who simply focus on hitting each shot properly usually have a house full of trophies. 

Remember, tennis is just a game.  If you feel miserable after every loss – whether it’s in cards, checkers, or tennis – you might want to check in for some counseling.  That’s because somewhere along the line, you thought tennis was a life and death matter, when it’s really about people having a ton of fun.

For additional information or to enroll in a Vic Braden Tennis College, please call 1-800-CALL VIC (1-800-225-5842) or Click Vic at www.vicbraden.com 

More Tips from Vic 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |

Vic Braden Tennis College

With more than 52 years of teaching sports science, Vic Braden is one of the tennis world's most highly respected experts. He has authored numerous best-selling instructional books, produced and hosted instructional videos and is well known to the tennis community through his work as a longtime television commentator.

The Vic Braden Tennis College is located at 
Green Valley Spa & Resort
St. George, UT