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The Tennis Mind Game and Why We Play

by Jesse Creed - de Hek (11 years old)
(Gold Coast, Queensland)

This story is about the amazing mental side of tennis and the main reason why we should play - that is if we are not a professional on tour.

The tennis mind game:

The other day, I had a match against a man who was very good, played from Grade 2 to 12, and won tournaments. Being only 11, I knew he was more than twice my age, twice my size, and at least twice as strong.

This man had no mercy. When we played, he would use flat, topspin, backspin and slice shots to rip me from side to side. This did not bother me. I knew that I could only do my best, and that I did have it in me to win if I tried hard enough.

Looking back, I probably knew that I could not have. But I did not think about that at the time, and I kept telling myself that I could win. It worked.

I used strategy too. I tipped nearly every single ball, and half of them I got back. By showing my opponent that I was fast enough to touch the ball, he tried harder and missed quite a few shots.

But more importantly, I learned that by feeding my brain positive thoughts continually, I changed my way of thinking and produced better tennis. In one rally, I went from side to side about four times in a row and then I got a weak ball that I attacked, and it pushed him out wide and I finally won the point by hitting the ball into the empty space.

And by knowing my limitations, I got points in return. I didn't win a single game in the end.

But that did not deter me - I could only do my best, and that's what I did. Thinking positively, "I Made My Mind My Best Ally"!

Why we play:

If we don't play too competitively, then we play for fun and get a kick out of it. But most importantly, we can only go out on court and do our best.

We play our best tennis, and use our mental game to help us find what our best tennis really is and what it truly means.

If we think positively, not negatively, and know our limitations and that we can only do our best, then we have fun, success and "Make Our Mind Our Best Ally"!

By Jesse Creed - de Hek,
Age 11.

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The Tennis Mind Game and Why We Play

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Jan 27, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Wisdom Words
by: Tomaz

Hey Jesse,

Thank you so much for this wonderful contribution to TennisMindGame.com.

What I especially like from your post is that you say you didn't win a single game and yet you felt good about yourself.

This the right way. This is the way to become the Mental Winner.
Jan 27, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		Exellent !
by: Anonymous

Your post is really inspiring. Thank you. Dany from patagonia argentina ( 45 years old )
Feb 05, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Great Story
by: Anonymous

Great Story, I have been there in this situation with a guy last fall. He really was not a better player than me except that he had a wicked forehand slice that he had grooved over many years. The first day I didn't win a game as I could not return this kind of shot, I had never played against anyone who could repeatedly hit a shot like that. The next time we played I set a small goal of just get more deuces and hopefully a game or two, I reached this goal and felt that I had acheived something. I also found out more about his weaknesses and in the end how to more effectively return the severe underspin slices that he hits.

Feb 11, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Similar situation
by: Tunde

I played a guy with same quality in my local club, He even believes I'm a 6-0 material. He claimed if I can get one game the set is mine.

His strokes and gaining of court position is well ahead, he's in the early fifties and been playing tennis for over 30 years.

I have been playing for 2 years but have been able to take advantage of my computer skill, access to internet and books to explore and learn the basics and my improvement according to club pro is tremendous.

They do refer to me in my club as a television player since I always try to hit my balls like the pro do. Anyway, I won the first set by winning the first game.

He quickly started the second set with all rage and anger. He won anyway, but I didn't really play well on big points i.e. 40-30 or advantages on my serve.

But I'm still learning.... and will keep on learning, thanks for all your books and articles. Nothing has added joy to my life than this beautiful game, will keep on playing and loving for ever!
Feb 20, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks for writing this
by: Bridget

Thank you for writing such an inspiring article! I especially like your point that just by getting to balls, without being able to get them back over the net, you felt you forced your opponent into errors. Best part though is how you stayed positive even though you didn't win a game. Good for you :)

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