Nerves!!!

[JB]

I played my first competitive (USTA) tennis match since high school - 15 years ago. My opponent was a very good player but I could have beaten him if I was playing like I normally do in an everyday match. I got tight and couldn't relax. My forehand was either in the net or 2 feet behind the baseline. My serve wasn't flowing. My backhands lacked depth. The only thing that was working was my volleys - no swing involved. Needless to say I got beaten pretty badly. I can only hope that I am a bit more relaxes next week.
Any tips for mental preparation?

[cantaloupe]

i find i play the best when i'm loose, which is a result of good movement. try to no think about the outcome of the shot, rather concentrate on making a quality shot (lots of topspin, depth yada yada) and always make sure to move your feet, 80% of tennis is moving to the ball and getting into position.

[Bungalo Bill]

Just keep playing more matches and work on the things you need fo ryour type of game.

[zenmaster]

wait a min, last time you played was 15 yrs ago?

[Big D]

Cantloupe hit it on the head. Don't think about consequences but simply focus on that shots you dont' need to hit. You don't get nervous when practicing b/c you're not thinking of the score and winning/losing. of course, like Bill said, you also need more matches to practice this mental side of tennis

[Blue Drop]

This is the age-old question, for me at least. If you can figure out the real hard-and-fast answer, you'd be rich. In my experience, some people are just better wired for competitive pressure. I'm not. I play great tennis after work and on the weekends, but if I sign up for a tournament -- forget it. Total choke-fest.

Regardless, some of the advice so far is good. When nervous, concentrate on moving your feet. Exhale as you hit through the ball. Most important, have fun.

[lendl lives]

JB,

I've experiecned that exact same feeling. Right now I have the hardest time playing people who get the ball back everytime with no pace but with good control and depth. They give you no pace to work with and make you generate the pace. I can be an anxious person and I really have to think about how to calm down and just hit. Playing more of these types of players i'm sure I will improve.

[dozu]

You will be able to handle the nerve better after playing more matches..... but everybody gets tight sometimes. Here is something I try to do:

1. hit my most reliable shot, e.g. the loopy cross court on the FG, the slice on the backhand.... I am still trying to develop the topspin 1hbh, so I'd not use that at all in tight situations.

2. concentrate on constructing the point, when the ball is on the opp's court, my brain focuses on observing his position and pick a 2x2 ft box where I am gonna hit my next shot.... for me it works magic, once that 2x2 box is chose, my footwork, body rotation, take back and swing all works together trying to hit that box..... it takes a little training to always think about the 2x2 box , at the beginning sometimes I may freak out when opp hits a hard deep shot or he comes to the net, but keep working at it and now it's getting more and more natural for me.... if the brain is occupied with this task of constantly working on picking that 2x2 box, it doesn't have time to choke.

[dozu]

at least for me, my accuracy are a LOT better when I have a specific target to hit (some player may use a certain spot above the net instead of the 2x2 box I mention in the previous post), instead of just having a general guideline e.g. return cross-court or volley down the line.

[Radical Shot]

Just think to yourself....what would Goran do right now....

[lendl lives]

ok guys its been a couple of days and i think i've figured something out about nerves. i stopped playing doulbes and only played singles. i realized that the more i play the more my natural ability shines and the less nervous i feel.

[Thunnus]

The big revelation for me was to realize that I didn't neccessarily have to hit a clean winner to win a point. If you are consistent enough to have 20-30 ball ralleys, you will get short balls to attack or your opponent will likely make a mistake. I am not saying that you should push the balls in at all cost, but just move your feet and hit deep cross court shots until you get a ball to attack. Likewise, when your opponent comes to the net, don't try to hit a clean pass, but force him to hit a tough volley and then finish him off.

[VTL]

One thing I think a lot of people should try is before they try overcoming nervousness, they should focus on making rapid improvements and really work hard in practice (ala rocky) with the goal that you'll get so good you'll win even with nerves..

Once you can do that, then maybe your nervousness will go away and you'll become an even better player!

Also.. maybe by just thinking you can win with nervousness you'll gain enough confidence to not be nervous

Just random thoughts

[Thunnus]

You tend to get more nervous when you don't have good confidence in your abilities and other things like equipment, etc. Your conscious self will start doubting yourself at crucial moments. Being well prepared and being solid and knowing that you are prepared and solid through hard work will give you a lot of confindence to come out on top in tough matches.

Remember, champions love to win and they hate to lose, but they are not afraid to lose. You gotta go out and play your game and let the chips fall where they may.

[TMB]

"The New Toughness Training for Sports" by James Loehr provides excellent insights into the issues addressed in this string. It's one of the most practical, helpful books I've read.

[jings]

Try to avoid thinking about the match as a whole and just play it point by point. Lose a point, no big deal, just win another soon. What's the worst that can happen, you lose the match which is all you were worrying about anyway, so all you have is upside.

Long time ago someone told me a mantra that was put forward in a book somewhere "Feel the fear and use it". Whenever I get nervous I say this to myself ... helps me. You accept you're nervous but decide to do something about it.