The Mysteries of the Zone

[AtomicForehand]

I just had a really amazing and mysterious experience on the tennis court. Why do these things come and go?

I was playing a competitive league singles match against a very slim, fit, fast opponent--no slouch. For some reason I was completely in the zone serving-wise. I served 8 clean aces in the first set (including two 2nd-serve aces), and several unreturnables. I felt completely free and relaxed, like I could do no wrong. All the usual serves I use when I manage to hit an ace were there in spades, but I also effortlessly hit the corners of the box that I almost never hit aces to, as well as some spinny aces--even a new serve that I've only very recently even started to practice got me an ace. I'm telling you, I was golden.

Her shoulders just slumped after the third ace or so. She was a really good sport about it, offering me compliments after each great serve, but her whole body language was hopeless and sad, and she was clearly not having much fun. I actually felt terrible about it, and embarrassed.

Normally I hit two to four aces in an entire MATCH. To hit eight plus so many unreturnables in one set alone was just statistically an anomaly for me. I tried to tell her that I was just serving out of my mind that day and to make some kind of self-effacing joke after the last couple of great serves, but I bageled her in about 15 minutes (she won only a handful of points), and I knew she was feeling bad, and that made me feel bad.

In the second set, things changed. It was like someone just pulled the plug to the ace machine. I didn't hit another ace the whole set (and just two unreturnables). I didn't serve CRAPPY, but the magic had clearly gone as quickly and mysteriously as it had come. (I still won the set, but 6-3.)

I'm really interested to hear you guys' experiences with this phenomenon. Have you been in the zone before, and how/why do you think you got there? Is there anything you can do mentally to increase your chances of staying there?

I definitely think my feeling of freedom and relaxation was key to the brilliant serving (and the rest of the great playing that stemmed from it)--but I don't know how to recreate those feelings of freedom and relaxation, do you?

I also think that feeling bad for my opponent was key to slipping out of the zone. (She was just so noble about it, which is kind of what got me. If she had been snarky or complained that I was sandbagging, etc., maybe I could have ridden the wave longer...but I was just really touched by her efforts to say something nice to me each time, when it was clear she was feeling hopeless.)

This also got me thinking about people like Serena. (No, I'm not saying that my serving is anywhere close to Serena's, so you don't have to jump down my throat about that.) But it did give me a glimpse of what it must be like to have a weapon that is so overwhelmingly superior that your opponents feel helpless, and the kind of pressure this puts on the weapon-haver to continue wielding it, when even the weapon-haver doesn't think it feels like much of a fair fight. I would also like to hear your thoughts about how you keep your boot on the neck of an opponent to get the match DONE and keep wielding your weapon under such circumstances.

The psychology of tennis is fascinating, isn't it?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[tennisgotomarket]

For me, a few sips of Red Bull can put me in the zone for a few minutes. It doesn't work if I drink the whole can 'cause it makes me shaky.

 

[Turbo-87]

I get into zones, but in a bad way. I am a diabetic and can't sense when my blood sugar is getting low very well. I can be playing fine and then I can cross over into a zone that I don't want to be in. Then, my game completely falls apart and my mind goes into a blur. I have enough sense to always have something to get my sugar back up, but it takes a while to equalize and by then it is too late. I am normally pretty good about maintaining but it isn't an exact science when you factor in exertion and heat.

Just last night I was playing great and was in a position to win the court and go up to the top court in league. I was in a zone like no other. Then, my sugar dropped and my game fell apart. I ended up going DOWN a court instead. It is just really hard to keep it together when your sugar drops and my body is trying to process what I took in to recover, i.e. fruit drinks etc.

 

[esgee48]

Mental focus, being calm and relaxed gets me into that type of zone. Don't let the mind wander around the court. Don't let distractions bother you. Break any of these routines and the game goes downhill quickly. When you started to show concern about your opponent's feeling, you blew it. 2 cents.

 

[AtomicForehand]

I get into zones, but in a bad way. I am a diabetic and can't sense when my blood sugar is getting low very well. I can be playing fine and then I can cross over into a zone that I don't want to be in. Then, my game completely falls apart and my mind goes into a blur. I have enough sense to always have something to get my sugar back up, but it takes a while to equalize and by then it is too late. I am normally pretty good about maintaining but it isn't an exact science when you factor in exertion and heat.

Just last night I was playing great and was in a position to win the court and go up to the top court in league. I was in a zone like no other. Then, my sugar dropped and my game fell apart. I ended up going DOWN a court instead. It is just really hard to keep it together when your sugar drops and my body is trying to process what I took in to recover, i.e. fruit drinks etc.

That's interesting--there is a real biochemical process that happens to you that knocks you out of the zone. I wonder if you could just take sips of something at every changeover to keep your sugar levels steadier?

For me I do think it was the distraction of thinking of my opponent's feelings that knocked me out of the zone. I don't seem to have this problem on a doubles court where I am only one person in four, but in the one-on-one setting of a singles match where no one else is around, somehow the dynamic seems more intimate, more of a direct battle between two people. I actually apologized for the last couple of aces. I was worried that she would think I was an egregious sandbagger, a cheat...I felt compelled to let her know that I didn't normally serve this well. And then that statement came true!!

What should I have told myself instead of letting those thoughts intrude?

And why should we (I?) have a fear of being "overly" dominant on court? That doesn't make sense...

 

[colowhisper]

Marianne Williamson says
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure..."

 

[AtomicForehand]

Marianne Williamson says
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure..."

Ha ha...hmm...well...

 

[RetroSpin]

What I find interesting is that you obviously felt a bit embarrassed that you were dominating your opponent so thoroughly. You managed to find a way to get back into your comfort zone in the second set.

Do you think alpha predators have a lot of empathy for their victims?

 

[sureshs]

Do you think alpha predators have a lot of empathy for their victims?

Animals do what they have to do. Morality/right/wrong does not apply to them.

 

[AtomicForehand]

Yes, it was embarrassing, because it didn't seem like a fair fight--it didn't seem very sporting.

Intellectually I know that the point is to win the match, and that this is done most efficiently through dominating one's opponent as thoroughly as possible.

Yet there is a social component, especially to playing singles, and especially to playing singles with no one else around (team members, etc.). You don't want to look like a total jerk dooshrocket on court. You want to give and get generous calls, appreciate your opponent's fine play and have yours acknowledged as well, etc. When it seems like you are dominating so thoroughly that the opponent is miserable, even if trying to be a good sport about it, it's just not that much fun, even if you are in the zone and delighted by its effects on your play.

Does that make sense?

 

[RetroSpin]

Atomic, I have been on both sides of this. I was in a tournament once against such an opponent. I felt bad and was just trying to let him hit a few balls, then I stepped on a ball on the court and nearly sprained my ankle.

I was on the receiving end of a few beat downs as well. I appreciate the opponent letting me get a courtesy game, but it is patroniziing if they just start hitting easy balls to you.

My point to you however is you have to be careful about your feelings of empathy. If your opponent catches fire or you lose it and they come back, i can guarantee you they aren't thinking I'll ease up and let her win because she was nice to me. They're playing the Rocky music in their head and thinking what a choke artist you are.

 

[coloskier]

Just last night I was playing a match where I won a tight first set, but was ahead easily in the 2nd set, lost my concentration, and lost it in a tiebreaker. Blew him away in the 3rd set, but it should have never gotten that far. That is why you don't want to let down your concentration or feel sorry for the player. Beat him as badly as you can and move on.

 

[AtomicForehand]

Atomic, I have been on both sides of this. I was in a tournament once against such an opponent. I felt bad and was just trying to let him hit a few balls, then I stepped on a ball on the court and nearly sprained my ankle.

I was on the receiving end of a few beat downs as well. I appreciate the opponent letting me get a courtesy game, but it is patroniziing if they just start hitting easy balls to you.

My point to you however is you have to be careful about your feelings of empathy. If your opponent catches fire or you lose it and they come back, i can guarantee you they aren't thinking I'll ease up and let her win because she was nice to me. They're playing the Rocky music in their head and thinking what a choke artist you are.

I think you're exactly right. Of course you are. But just HOW do you shut it down and get back to your bloodthirsty weapon-wielding ways? Do you have something you tell yourself, or some trick you do?

 

[AtomicForehand]

Just last night I was playing a match where I won a tight first set, but was ahead easily in the 2nd set, lost my concentration, and lost it in a tiebreaker. Blew him away in the 3rd set, but it should have never gotten that far. That is why you don't want to let down your concentration or feel sorry for the player. Beat him as badly as you can and move on.

Yes, agreed. Do you think this just comes with experience?

 

[McKedy]

For me personally I'm not in the best tennis shape that I know I should be. I'll have similar experiences where I'm playing my best tennis in the first set, but then have a drop off in the second. Playing in the zone, or at a high level, requires your best footwork and form. The muscle fatigue incurred after a set (especially singles) could be causing your footwork to get just a little lazier, your knees to bend a little less, and for your serve mechanics to falter just enough to reflect in your play. You're probably not even aware of it. I especially notice this in USTA post-season play where we're sometimes playing 2 matches back to back. I definitely have a losing record in those second matches when I find my form noticeably worse. When I'm fatigued I go for more winners for shorter rallies, etc.

 

[RetroSpin]

I think you're exactly right. Of course you are. But just HOW do you shut it down and get back to your bloodthirsty weapon-wielding ways? Do you have something you tell yourself, or some trick you do?

I don't advocate being a jerk and trying to show up a much weaker opponent, but you have to just keep your focus on your own game and not get overly concerned about their feelings. You didn't force them to enter the tournament.

 

[Sakkijarvi]

Tennis psychology is sports psychology. Sports psychology is human psychology.

Ok, to your 'zone' question. Played a pickup match earlier this evening. Was hammering everything, up 5-1 in the first set. Let's call that 'the zone'. The next thought was, 'this is the way I need to play to get ready for my new singles league' ... and opponent starts working like his life depended on the match. Holds to 2-5 (his score). Breaks me, 3-5. Holds, it's 4-5 (his score). Breaks me AGAIN ... it's 5-5. I am OUT of 'the zone' for sure.

Think about 'the word' at the club if I lose this match (part of the club scene) - bear down but swing away -- love break. Serve it out easily, first serve an ace.

Second set starts, now HE seems to be in 'the zone'. He is up 2-0, 30-love serving ... and I hang in there .. steal the break. Hang on, get it to 2-2. Go ahead 3-2, 4-2, then just when I thought I would run away with it ... he grinds to 4-4. So ... staying relaxed, welcoming the chance to work on this part of my game ... win 6-4 easily. End things in 'the zone'.

So the key is ... RELAX. Let the game come to you. And enjoy 'the zone' as it comes to you.

 

[dcdoorknob]

This thread title reminds me of the Mysteries of Laura, which is a new TV show that I didn't watch because it sounded boring, but I did see commercials for it.

If you could will yourself to stay in "the zone," nobody would call it the zone. They would just be at that higher level of tennis most of the time. That said, feeling bad for an opponent does seem like one of the best ways to make sure you don't stay in the zone very long at all.

 

[magnut]

i get into zones sometimes will serving. really i just think its a rhythm thing. If i get into a zone from the baseline and start blasting winners i tend to not want to be in that zone.

I dont think anything feels better than having in the zone days with volleys. thats like a drug for me.

The really nice days are when you are in a zone with movement and your just gliding around the court. The older you get the less it happens though. Seems like mental zones are easier though and concentration gets quite a bit easier with age. Picking up on opponents moods and tendencies. Playing against their confidence level seems easier to hang onto for long periods.

 

[OTMPut]

Zone = looseness of muscles, joints + calmness of mind + a sense of hubris resulting in more risk taking + luck

Take away anyone of those factors, you are brought back to earth.

 

[magnut]

sometimes on court your "in the zone" and your like....Oh sweet!

sometimes on court your in "The Twilight Zone" and your like....Oh sheet!:shock:

I dont like The Twilight Zone. It can make you play stupid. next thing you know your out of the Twilight Zone .....but your still playing stupid

 

[coloskier]

Yes, agreed. Do you think this just comes with experience?

Maybe a little, but you have to have that killer instinct before you even pick up a racket.

 

[max]

Atomic, this is a really good description of a zone event.

I believe these kinds of things happen to me when I've got enough rest, when I'm really looking forward to playing, when my body feels willing to just MOVE wherever I need to go, and when I'm fed reasonably correctly.

A long time ago, I found that action/inaction is a kind of relational dynamo.

I used to play tennis and then go to chess club. After a good bit of physical exercise, I found it easier to just SIT and concentrate on the chess positions. Conversely, after a good bout of sitting, anyone's happy to get some exercise!

If one is REALLY LOOKING FORWARD to playing, this counts a lot in his results: he's not at all bothered about staying out on the court long enough to beat the other guy.

I've been in situations where my opponent had other things to do in the afternoon, etc., and this is a BIG distraction---kind of cuts the legs in willingness to stay out there.

 

[magnut]

I've been in situations where my opponent had other things to do in the afternoon, etc., and this is a BIG distraction---kind of cuts the legs in willingness to stay out there.

yeah this is a good thought. These are like the polar opposite of zone days. days when you are being stretched to thin off the court and cant block it out. Hard to focus, hard to concentrate.....your just not there. Everything is difficult....nothing flows.

I really hate days like this. half the time those are the days you need to go out most though and hit some balls. just try to get a good release from the joy of daily stress. the good thing is even though you may play horrible...you usually feel pretty good after and things dont seem to build up off court. Kind of a venting session.

 

[RoyalFederer]

I think the zone is just a place where one hits with total confidence, with little to no tension, a clear mind. I think it comes and goes because from a focus stand points, its a very tough level to maintain because of the inherent psychological swings of a tennis match. I think when you enter the zone you should just go with it, and don't try to maintain it or anything, just keep focused on clear goals within the match. Don't say sorry to the opponent because they will also enter a zone sometimes, so its really a zero sum game between two complete equals...

You can see pros do the same thing, when a pro wins a set 6-0, its not coincidental. Great example of this was Cilic in the US open, who happened to enter the zone for about 3 matches. He was serving out of his mind, hitting winners off every side, incredible passing shots that he made look easy.

I would just embrace it when it comes and don't push yourself to get there because it will make you play worse.

 

[max]

I think what's interesting to add is that there are times I've played very good players. . . who perhaps hit the ball lousy the first few minutes. . . and this somehow made ME feel like I could handle the entire deal!

Confidence, of course, comes from playing a LOT and knowing you can do what you need to do.

 

[LuckyR]

You can approach the Zone psychologically (most do) but it is also reasonable to approach it statistically. If your tennis output is a bell shaped curve, occasionally your play is going to be over the top good. The key word being: "occasionally". You don't need a "reason" to explain why you play at the top of your game for only brief periods since it is, by definition, better than you normally play. Of course your play is going to drop, it is a statistical certainty.

It you could play great all of the time, then that would be your average and you would be a better player, and you would/should stop calling it "great" and call it "average", by definition.

 

[kanulondon]

Really great thread and I have some recent experience to share...

I've finished my competitive ladders matches so I've gone about arranging matches with tennis buddy who have beaten me in the past (with a view to exacting revenge!)

SO this nice French Guy who beat meat 4-2 4-1 (short sets format). I played him indoors and OMG...It was crazy. He became totally despondent I the aces just kept reigning down. It was strange as I was also quite apologetic about it all but inside extremely happy I hit so many aces and unreturnables.

More impressive though was the fact I actually executed a game plan, instead of senseless ball bashing. I returns all his 2nd serves and some first serves with good pace down the line and attacked the net...It just kept on working and I saw out the set 6-2 or something.

Second set though, I came out of the zone and everything went to buggery. But I then refocused and was 5-3 up...I really had to concentrate but when I did I saw it out.

The Zone is Real, need to keep it going for longer next time

 

[davced1]

My experience is that once you start thinking about that you are in the zone then you are already about to leave it.

 

[dlk]

Several weeks ago lost the first game forcefully, only to win the next 12. Can't explain it...'everything was coming up roses' like, "I meant to do that."

Lost next two matches:3- 6 5-7 & 4-6 6-7 Ah, falling back to Earth.

 

[Bionic slice]

I've been in the zone , hitting wicked returns, serving angles and down the t, actually getting the break points, I will never let up in a match as I want to win....unlike the original poster,... Because I know and have watched my game drop for whatever reason, or see the opposing player change things up, or actually find their rhythm, and what seems to be a easy win now becomes a grudge match and I start to sound like a whinny Johnny Mac!! My advantage in the match is my court speed, cardio and return game, if my serve is holding, I will be competitive .
I hate if in a tournament by match 3 or 4 my body is too fatigue to find the zone!! I think if I did drills to replicate points in a match play would help. I say....go for your shots, go a big, be the aggressor , throw in some serve and volley and regroup if you lose a few points or a game or 2, key is,...tell yourself" how did you get the lead" , remember if you lost it, get it back, I love when I'm cool and the other guy is talking, yelling, complaining, that means I finding pain and I want to add pressure and try my best to close it out!!!

 

[dizzlmcwizzl]

Unfortunately my recent zone experience was misplaced.

I was warming up for Sectionals and this thing I had been working on just seemed to fall into place. During the 20 minutes we had the court before play was scheduled to start everything just felt right. I was hitting the ball cleanly off both sides and I was seeing the ball so well I never wanted to stop.

However, it started raining. Play that day was moved indoors and because of the delay it was another 4 hours before I was able to get back on the court.

I have been chasing that feeling every time out since then.

 

[LeeD]

The "zone"....
There's TWO of them. One, when you're playing out of your mind. The other, when nothing you do works, and your best shot's go out by 6", while normal shots just go out by 2 feet.
It don't come often. Neither. You are never judged by one of the zones. However, the OTHER zone, everyone sees THAT one and it sticks in their minds.

 

[Bionic slice]

I've been on the losing side like LeeD mentioned, what about when you play great but loose badly....a few ago....my best shots appeared slow, soft, weak for my opponent , my money shots, money serves that bread and butter shot that earns you points, breaks , confidence, that good endorphin feeling, was like superman facing kryptonite, it was my worst beating and feeling to hit the ball well but see this guy in a better zone then me.... .. I was hitting great shots, going for winners, angles, and I watch a guy put on a clinic, I couldn't find a way to win, and it got 2 games in 2 sets vs this guy. I'm very fit for tennis, I can run down most shots, love pace, good fh, good slice backhand and I think I'm a grinder, I can wear out a player but this guy killed me, I've never faced someone hitting winner out the serve box with those angles, I hit great returns on serves, I lost the baseline war with 5-10 shots back and forth, I tried to heavy low slice with good placement to attack the net to watch him textbook lobs over me on the baseline, I tried hitting cross court deep with angles and short to see him launch textbook fh winners anywhere he wanted on the court.i got a few winners but I had to go on the 1st or 2nd shot, I didn't hit out but I got outclassed, I play 3.5-4.0 range tennis and have 19-7 recorded in singles matches this year, I've played tourneys this year, 1 final and 2 qtrs, always advancing a couple rounds and beating a seeded player every tournament but I've never faced such a beating, what do you do when you are player well and you get killed..??

 

[struggle]

keep your foot on the throat (of the opponent), i always "say".

it's also much easier said than done, most times.

 

[coloskier]

Yes, agreed. Do you think this just comes with experience?

Yes, and no. Many factors can cause it... your opponent changing his tactics, weather changes, sunlight changes, all can be a factor. Your opponent could be trying to hit with you and is getting blown off the court, so he goes into full pusher mode. There are very few people that can stay in the zone consistently playing a pusher until they get to 4.5/5.0 or above. That is why pushers are so successful until they start playing 4.5/5.0 level, where they eventually get crushed.

 

[LeeD]

I"ve played waaaay too many sets against a peer, the scores going 6-2, 1-6, 6-0, either for or more usually, against me.
Call it HIS zone, or HER zone, call it luck, call it A, B, C, or D games, but it hardly ever goes 7-6, 6-7, 7-6.

 

[rorschack]

I have the answer for all of you. Read this super classic book "The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance" by Timothy Gallwey.

You can search youtube for "the inner game of tennis" and there is a short section about the book.

As you know, at a high level, tennis is 50% mental. We all have internal conversations with ourselves and this is called self #1, which prevents us from getting into the zone or achieve at our full potential. Read the book and you will understand and concur.

the book will also change how you approach tennis and understand the meaning of competition. additionnally, it will improve your focus outside of tennis. really amazing book if you are the type who likes to explore the inner self.

i came across this book as i was seeking a way to calm my nerve during a match and it had been really amazing in helping me but i am not quite there yet. and so i am still practicing some of the principles as pointed in the book.

highly recommended for any serious competitors and lovers of the game of tennis.