Having spent much of my life in the competitive tennis arena and now as a coach to many aspiring players, the ability to have fun in the pursuit of our goals is a powerful tool in our hands. Often when the desire to achieve, win, improve or gain recognition, becomes too strong, we can lose the joy in the activity. During such times, the pressure that builds becomes a major barrier to our having a positive experience and performing to our potential. Despite our best efforts, we feel we are going nowhere much like trying to swim against a strong current. However, once we realize that the stiff current we are facing is a creation of our own mind and perspective, we can begin to take steps to help dissipate the resistance and make our path easier and smoother.
The Joy Of Playing
Often when we ask players why they started tennis or why they have joined tennis lessons, they will say: “I tried the sport and I really liked it” or “It’s something I enjoy”. It is this pure and initial sense of joy that we need to reconnect with particularly when the pressure of competition becomes intense and starts to suffocate our ability to perform. By allowing yourself to have fun, your energy will feel more positive, the body and mind more relaxed, and your strokes less tight and more fluid with better timing.
Balancing The Competitive Spirit With Fun
A player whom I grew up watching that demonstrated this ability to compete and have fun is Gustavo Kuerten or Guga as he is called. Guga is a multiple Grand Slam champion from Brazil. When I watched Guga, I could feel the joy in his tennis. His competitive intensity was balanced with a smiling and light demeanor on-court. After his many victories at the French Open, he would outline a heart on the clay courts as a symbol of his love for the game and to the fans. I thought the balance he found between being competitive and having his tennis be an expression of the joy he felt for the game, was inspirational. By being more like Guga, I believe we will have a much more positive and healthy experience in sports and also perform to our highest potential.
Therefore, the next time we feel the immense weight of the pressure of our own desires and expectations and our games start to go astray, let’s remind ourselves to simply have fun. Try to tap into the joy you felt for the game before the results and goals percolated your experience. This is similar to how coaches of world-class athletes often remind them to “have fun” before their competition. This advice helps orient the athlete’s energy and focus towards joy for the activity, letting their attained skills come through with ease, efficiency, and maximum performance.
Express Your Joy
In conclusion, see if you can make your tennis more an expression of the joy you feel for the game. Reconnect to having fun and see how you feel and the impact it has on your experience and game. I’ll be curious to hear.
All the best!
Harsh
Harsh Mankad is a former NCAA National Singles Champion and no. 1 ranked U.S. collegiate tennis player. He was the no.1 ranked singles and Davis Cup player for India. He now runs Tenicity’s Tennis Program which has partnerships with schools, community education departments, and cities in Minnesota, USA. He also advises players from around the world and has strong ties and partnerships in India where he leads player development initiatives such as coaching camps and seminars.
