Q.I've been working with junior 14-and-under) players that have
made some rapid gains in their tennis ability. Now they are
getting very angry when they miss a shot during practice or in
matches. What can I do to help keep them calm?

A. I believe at that age, you have to really get across to the players
that while players work hard in hopes of playing well, the true test of
a player is not “playing well” but how they react to whatever level they
have on the given day. Even the pros do not play that well very often – it
is what you do on your average days that defines you as a player. It
shows how well you deal with adversity and whether you can think your
way through a rough patch. Just like physical practice – you need mental
practice too, to ingrain good mental habits.