Tennis: Where Body Meets Mind
In my enthusiasm, I decided to compete in leagues during my first year—a bold and perhaps overly ambitious goal for a complete beginner. Looking back, it was a steep challenge that tested my determination and strength. Along the way, I experienced the highs of small victories and the lows of tough defeats, each moment teaching me valuable lessons about persistence and adaptability.
Now, I want to share my journey with you—the challenges, the triumphs, and the insights I’ve gained over the past four years, starting as a complete beginner. Whether you’re a fellow tennis enthusiast, a curious beginner, or someone seeking inspiration to try something new, I hope my story resonates with you.
Despite that modest introduction to tennis, the experience left a lasting impression on me. It planted a seed of curiosity and a desire to learn the sport someday properly. That “someday” finally came in retirement, when I had the time to fully embrace the game and develop my skills.
Fifty years later, on the court, I realized that tennis is not simply a casual back-and-forth ball game where everyone is just lovely to you. I had to learn that it’s a mental game that tests a player’s focus, strategy, and determination. While the strokes, serves, and footwork are undeniably important, the ability to outthink and outlast an opponent often determines the outcome of a match. A critical element of this mental game is understanding your opponent's weaknesses and exploiting them to gain the upper hand. I still feel sorry when I can accomplish that!
This mental aspect applies at every level of play, from casual matches at the local park to professional tournaments on the world stage. Regardless of skill level, the roles of strategy, strength, and mental toughness remain constant. Whether you’re an amateur discovering your opponent’s weak backhand or a seasoned professional exploiting small cracks in their game, these principles are universal. For example, Rafael Nadal is known for his mental strength. He outlasts his opponents with his physical skills in long, challenging rallies and stays focused and calm, even when things get complicated.
I've always been fascinated by Steffi Graf and Boris Becker. Steffi was known for her powerful forehand and incredible focus, allowing her to dominate the court. Boris was famous for his big serve and ability to stay calm under pressure, especially during critical moments. Both players motivated me to play tennis and master this beautiful game, where strategy, skill, and mental toughness come together in every match.
Inside the tennis match
I see every tennis match as a drama, unfolding with twists and turns and emotional highs and lows. The momentum can shift wildly, creating moments of triumph and despair. In one set, we played ten deuces, which felt like a battle within a battle. I stayed focused, blocking out all distractions. Winning that set was so satisfying that, at that moment, the entire match felt secondary.
Every point is a chess move. Players must analyze their opponent’s game to succeed and uncover patterns and vulnerabilities. Does the opponent struggle with backhands? How strong are their first and second serves? Do they hesitate on the second serve? Perhaps they tire quickly during extended rallies. Analyzing whether an opponent is left- or right-handed can also influence your strategy, especially when placing your serves to exploit their weaker side. Additionally, assessing the strength of their overheads and volleys can guide you in choosing the best shots.
In doubles, mental strategy becomes even more complex. A common tactic is to focus on the weaker player on the opposing team. By consistently targeting the less skilled player, you force them to play under pressure while limiting the impact of their stronger partner. Over time, this can mentally and physically exhaust the weaker player, leading to errors and frustration. Simultaneously, it undermines the confidence of the stronger player, who finds themselves unable to control the match or protect their partner. This psychological pressure can disrupt team dynamics and tilt the game in your favor.
Some players employ tricks to distract their opponents and add to the mental complexity of the game. These can include taking unusually long breaks between sets, having unnecessary arguments, stretching the limits with prolonged drinking or bathroom breaks, chatting during the match, or even answering a phone call. Another tactic is throwing the balls to a corner after the set instead of handing them to you. You don’t encounter this type of player very often, but when you do, they certainly make an impression. Luckily, the friendlier, more respectful players far outweigh them. Staying unaffected by these distractions is a key sign of mental strength.
Injuries also add a tough mental and physical challenge to the game. Tennis is demanding, and injuries are always a possibility. Many players face moments when deciding whether to keep playing despite pain. Some push through with twisted muscles, strained tendons, or worse. I’ve been in that situation, too—I once broke my foot during a match but kept playing without realizing the bone was broken, amazed at how powerful the mind can be in overcoming the body. Another time, I twisted my muscles, but I fought through the pain to continue.
But tennis can also feel like a form of meditation to me. When fully immersed in a match, all the noise and distractions fade away, leaving just the ball, the court, and my focus. The rhythm of the game, the flow of each point, can almost feel like a quiet, meditative state where the mind is clear, and every shot becomes a moment of mindfulness. It’s not just about being tough; it’s about being in the moment, completely absorbed in the game. Sometimes, it’s just me and the ball; each racket swing a chance to reset and find a sense of calm within the intensity.
Each tennis match unfolds as a unique drama, never to be repeated. The story it tells is shaped not only by you but also by your opponent. Together, you write the script, and within that exchange, there’s an opportunity for both of you to grow, adapt, and shape the course of the game.
I look forward to continuing to write more of these stories, each a new chapter in the ongoing tennis journey.
