Getting angry because of your opponent’s behavior

You make an easy mistake. Your opponent shouts, “Come on!” 

Or they take forever between points. Or they argue a call that was clearly out. Or they hit balls away.

These are some examples my players have shared about their opponent’s behavior.

It’s annoying. 

And it’s easy to get angry and keep thinking about it for the next three points.

But while you’re thinking about your opponent, you’re not thinking about your game. 

Your focus has moved from you to them. And that’s what some players want. Some do this on purpose. They know that if they can get in your head, they don’t have to beat you with their tennis.

You can’t control what your opponent does. But you can control where your focus goes after it happens. Your effort. Your routines. Your body language. Your self-talk. Your plan for the next point.

Next time your opponent tries to get in your head, bring your focus back to the things you can control to stay in the game. 🙂