There’s no right way to play a tennis match, but there are plenty of wrong ways.
1. Don't Get Cocky
Overconfidence is a killer. If you’re insulted that you have to play a lesser opponent, or believe that a match is going to be a waste of your time, you're taking a big gamble. If that's your attitude, your opponent is going to know it, and he or she will have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Treat every opponent with respect and take no chances.
2. Don't Clutter Your Brain
When I was working with Boris Becker, he used to say to me before matches, “Mr. B., what do you have for me?” I would tell him one thing and one thing only. As a coach, you learn that instruction is good on the practice court, but before matches it must be given in small doses. If you have too many ifs, whens and buts in your head, you won't think straight. Your strategy needs to be smart and simple.
3. Don't Think About Technique
If you have to tell yourself to turn, or follow through, or hit the ball out in front during a match, you’re in trouble. If you don’t have your technique down by then, forget about it. Technique has to be instinct—you have to practice it so much that it becomes second nature. Once the bell rings, you’re in a fight on the court. There's no time to concentrate on anything else.
4. Don't Look For Help
Before the 1997 Australian Open, I told Mary Pierce, “If you look up at your box even one time, we’re all walking out.” You need to play on your own, without leaning on your supporters. If you’re playing a match and have parents or teammates watching you, don't pay attention to them. You're out there alone against your opponent. The sooner you learn to cope with that, the better. Pierce went on to make the final.
5. Don't Ignore the Score
If you’re playing a match without an umpire, perhaps the dumbest thing you can do is not announce the score after every point on your serve. Say the score, and say it loud and clear. Not announcing the score is the biggest reason why tennis matches turn into shouting matches. Once the arguments start, it’s difficult to concentrate on winning. You have limited energy. Saying the score will prevent you from wasting it on something other than your game.
*Nick Bollettieri has trained many collegiate and professional players, including 10 who reached the world No. 1 ranking.
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Originally published in the June 2010 of TENNIS.