Question by Reshma: Help with playing tennis?
I’m 16 years old now, and have been playing tennis for a quite a while. But the only thing is….i’ve been playing off and on for the past few years, honestly.
The reason why I stopped playing? Because, during tournaments, I freeze up. Like, from the pressure. I don’t know WHAT it is; like some mental barrier that automatically says, “You’re going down man; you’re going to lose anyways.”
And as much as its hard to admit, I gave up like a stupid wimp. No joking. I’m by nature a little too harsh on myself…..so. Yeah. I got that off my chest.
I tried, I honestly did! I would just end up with tears once I was by myself because of my utter uselessness and epic fail, and wonder what the heck I’m doing. And even in the midst of playing in the court, I would try my best to hustle and get my head in the game after losing a point instead of lying back completely defeated and weak.
It was never like that during rallies, because I always did well 90% of the time in those. No, it was in actual, literal, tournaments. And this doesn’t only happen during tennis….just about everything that becomes a real battle instead of a free of pressure kind of thing.
So….I’m asking for advice. What should I do to get rid of this incomprehensible, idiotic feeling of mine? It bothers me, it really truly does.
And also, I need advice on how to learn to play well, like a pro even. I know a lot of people in this world are born pessimists to the point of dragging everyone else’s hopes down with them, even people that may or may not answer this question of mine, but the fact that i’m trying right now to battle this stupid feeling and lack of inactivity in tennis is enough to show i’m serious. I’m dead serious. Not actually dead though. Live and kicking, more like. I just want good advice, thank you.
Help?
Best answer:
Answer by haithereimazn
Wow, that’s a lot x]
So what I understood from the question was: you want to find some kind of way that will help you “unfeeze” from playing in tournies?
You quoted that once you start playing, you get this feeling as though you’re already going to lose. But for what? You don’t know your opponent, you don’t know how they play. For all you know, you could be miles ahead in experience to them.
Also, try this. After every point that you play, no matter if you win or lose, put it behind you. Let’s say you’re serving, and you lose the first point. 0-15. Tell yourself, “it’s just one point, it doesn’t mean I’ve lost the game yet.”
And if you win a point, do a little fist pump; use it to fuel yourself for the next point. But don’t “overcelebrate”; just use it so that it helps you keep your mind off of those negative thoughts.
You have to learn to keep your mind “busy” during those kind of situations. I don’t mean busy with the negative thoughts, but just keep them focused on something else. If they do tend to come back around, you have to train yourself to not think of it. Think that you’re in the match, you’re there to win a tournament, that’s what matters. Don’t go walking around the court thinking you’ve already lost when it’s just the first game.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
