Are You Still In A Tennis Slump?

thomas daniels

Semi-Pro
You guys know something.

After coaching juniors for 28 years in Kansai and helping tons of low ranked players in Kobe move up in the ranking.

The one thing that I have discovered is that...

90% of all competitive tennis players will be in and out of tennis slumps because they don't know what game they are REALLY playing during and in competition.

It's like.

They think they are playing tennis in their matches, when in reality, they are playing the mental game and this is why they mentally struggle throughout their careers.

The sad part about this whole problem for players is that...

"Most coaches don't even know how to coach the mental game, because they have no coaching philosophy that is updated or modern."

Okay, with that being the case.

I have some good news for you guys.

If you are in a slump right now.

Here are 3 things that you can do to break out of it and never get into one again.

First.

"Know the game you are playing in your matches".

Understand that.

You are not playing tennis, but you are playing the mental game. ( write it down on something and read it before and during your matches for the next 2 months)

You have to work on your mental game daily, and you have to work on it as twice as much as your tennis training.

Once you reach a certain level and have hit tons of balls and discover your authentic style of play.

It's mental reps all day, every day.

Second.

Stop mentally playing movies of your past matches in your mind that you lost or fail in.

To break out of a slump.

You have to see yourself playing in a new tennis mental movie that you consciously create.

In other words.

Become your own director and never allow others to direct your tennis movies unconsciously.

Never forget that.

You are a reproduction of your own thoughts.

And the last and most important thing that you have to do is...

Become the player that you would hate to play against.

Think about those mentally tough players that you hate to face in matches right now or imagine who it could or would be...

Now.

Become that player yourself in the next 2 months.

Meditate on this type player and then start acting and feeling the part, until you are unconsciously playing the part.

This is how the world-class player reverses and engineers their own way to the top of the tour!!!!

It's powerful and it works for them and it can work for you.

You can use all 3 of these warrior tips to break out of your slump and never get into one again in your career.
 

Enga

Hall of Fame
Ive seen slumps, been in slumps. Pretty legit advice I'd say. Theres a guy I watch play, he used to be VERY good when he was younger, but he took a long break and lost his instinct. Hes still young enough to still be very good, but he gets in his own head a lot. He became doubtful of himself. When he loses, he doesnt complain about his choice making, he complains about his technical skills, "my forehand sucks, my volleys are crap, I cant win with crap forehandd" etc. Meanwhile I want to tell him, "bro, youre as good technically as you will ever be. You have literally mastered this game. Your problems are choice making and getting depressed during matches". Though I dont because to be honest, I dont feel like I am of a caliber to advise him. We're pals, and he is far better than me at the game, I dont wanna coach the guy.
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
Ive seen slumps, been in slumps. Pretty legit advice I'd say. Theres a guy I watch play, he used to be VERY good when he was younger, but he took a long break and lost his instinct. Hes still young enough to still be very good, but he gets in his own head a lot. He became doubtful of himself. When he loses, he doesnt complain about his choice making, he complains about his technical skills, "my forehand sucks, my volleys are crap, I cant win with crap forehandd" etc. Meanwhile I want to tell him, "bro, youre as good technically as you will ever be. You have literally mastered this game. Your problems are choice making and getting depressed during matches". Though I dont because to be honest, I dont feel like I am of a caliber to advise him. We're pals, and he is far better than me at the game, I dont wanna coach the guy.

If it was my friend, I'd find a way to get the message across; it could make tennis a lot more enjoyable for him.

The advice you give is true or not true based on its merits, not on the relative levels of the giver and the audience. What you say makes perfect sense and maybe he just needs a wake-up call to get him to see the obvious.
 

Dragy

Legend
Then do like mafia and Medvedev: come to Southern France.
By the way I have speculations it’s his success which bumped interest towards tennis and caused that heavier demand!
Would be great to be there with all the climate, tennis, sea, wine, cheese, Alps around...
 

Dragy

Legend
How much per hour of court time?
:(
It was like USD25 +/- for decent indoor court, and ~17 min, which was not considered cheap. Now it’s over 30 at most locations and closer to 40 at most convenient ones. Time of day dependent as well.
 

thomas daniels

Semi-Pro
yeah right, let's become that inconsistent moonballer / slicer who will suck any rhythm out of you, celebrate every fault you do, cheat on calls and finally brag shamelessly after winning in the ugliest way.

Honestly, I'd prefer to become the player I'd love to lose against. by far.
Sometimes you have to do whatever it take to win the match...
 

mainmain

New User
It was like USD25 +/- for decent indoor court, and ~17 min, which was not considered cheap. Now it’s over 30 at most locations and closer to 40 at most convenient ones. Time of day dependent as well.
o_O:eek::X3:. Tennis is not exactly the sport for your average family kid in Moscow, right?

I pay #160€ per year for full access to 4 greenset outdoor + 2 indoor courts (with weird lines everywhere, I have to admit), and my ball machine being kept warm and dry... (and, I'm sure @Dragy will appreciate, all that 90mn away from Courchevel, so not exactly in the middle of nowhere :cool:)
I don't think I even wanna know how much people are charged in the US...
 
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