Tip of the Week: Tennis Is A Game
I have been involved in tennis since I was 10. It has always been special to me. Tennis has taught me a lot about myself, about life, and about what it means to compete. There have been many ups and downs, successes and failures, and a lot of learning.
Sounds like life…
We need to approach tennis the right way. Tennis is a game. The game can be addicting, all encompassing, frustrating, and exhilarating. You can always improve in tennis. It can bring you a lot of happiness and teach you how to pick yourself up off the ground and get back out there when you have struggled.
As I get older and start to deal with more injuries and mobility issues, the mental aspect of the game and strategy have become more important. Dealing with adversity and figuring out how to use what I have is now the focus. I am trying to work on the physical issues and believe that I can improve on my current status, but the biggest gains will be in my thinking.
I wish someone had explained a lot of this to me when I was a teenager. I always thought that I had to hit the ball better than the other player, run faster, and hit more winners. I never understood that things will be different every time you step on the court. The battle is using what you have on that day to give yourself a chance to win.
Remind yourself that tennis is a game. The game isn’t over until the last point is played. To be honest, the game never ends. There will be another game. Try to use your knowledge, experience, and your mind to win the game. If you do not win, get back out there and try it again. Figure things out, stay positive, focus on the simple things-they are the most important. Serve, return serve, hit a couple of good solid shots, and then try to figure out how to win the point. Keep playing the game.
Steve Annacone, USPTA Elite Pro, is the Director of Annacone Tennis, www.annaconetennis.com and MyHamptonsPro, www.myhamptonspro.com throughout the Hamptons, NY. Steve, Phil Lepisto, and Gill Gross run the ACT (Advanced Competition Team) program at the Tucson Jewish Community Center (Tucson, AZ) for high level players ages 8-18. Please contact Steve at sannacone@tucsonjcc.org or 865-300-7323Â
