Does mental toughness make the difference more than ever?

[Zaragoza]

Mental toughness is something great champions always had but I think these days every pro player on the tour need a good serve, good forehand, good backhand... and of course a physical condition. I mean the average player on the tour is more complete than ever, he may have better or worse strokes but not weaknesses, otherwise he couldn´t play on this competitive pro tour for too long.
All of this considered I think mental toughness makes the difference between players more than ever. Of course those ones with outstanding strokes are more likely to be in the top but tennis has become a mental game more than ever, just an opinion. Safin is the first name coming to my mind (yes I know he won 2 G.Slams) but do you think he has worse strokes than Nalbandian, Ljubicic or Davydenko? I know the Safin case can be radical but I´m sure there are so many no-names with a great talent who aren´t good pros because they´re not competitive in the mental field, get frustrated making an unforced error and are not good competitors. Don´t you think coaches underestimate the mental field sometimes? Do you think you can teach mental toughness or you just born with it? Do you think the current top 50 players in the rankings are mentally tougher than any other top 50 from other eras? Just interested to know your wise opinions.

 

[Raistlin]

Well an example is like in a 5 set match where you're down 2 sets to luv and down a break or two in the 3rd and you're basically down and out but I guess if you have the mental toughness like let's say Nadal, you climb you're way back up and if you're even stronger mentally you can consolidate that momentum and possibly win the entire match. Indeed....its easy to grasp the technical aspects of tennis but I think the psychological part separates the great ones from the P*****S

 

[breakfast_of_champions]

90% of all matches are decided in the locker room. todays players are so rich, you wonder if they care. in the 50's, 60's, and even 70's, the pro's were playing for less money, therefore, it was important to achieve the highest ranking possible.