Daily Insights 04 [Tennis, the brutal sport]

Tennis Is a Demanding, Multi-Disciplinary Sport

To compete in tennis, you must be able to:

• Sprint

• Jump

• Change direction

• Lunge

• Hit 3–4 shots effectively — and know how to hit all 8:(Forehand, Backhand, Serve, Return, FH & BH Volley, FH & BH Slice)

• Sustain this performance for 1.5 to 3 hours straight

• Play in unpredictable outdoor conditions

• Face any type of opponent

• And do it all without coaching help during competition

WHAT?!

Yes, this sport demands it all. The truth is, you never know how much of your game will show up when you need it most.

So, what do we do about it?

How do we prepare for this kind of challenge?

What should your pre-competition rituals look like?

These are real, honest, and important questions to ask if you’re serious about the sport.

Here are 4 rules to follow as student of the game:

1. Train to Be an Athlete

Tennis requires a complete physical profile. You need to build the strength, speed, mobility, and coordination that allow you to perform all those movements effectively and repeatedly. Make no mistake, physical development takes time.

There are no shortcuts.

Train like an athlete and commit to addressing your weaknesses. Identify any deficiencies and build from there to reduce injury risk and maximize performance.

2. Build Mental Toughness

Physical fitness alone won’t get you through a tough match. Tennis is an emotional game. You’ll need resilience, especially when things aren't going your way.

Know yourself.

Learn how to manage your personality on court, in both good moments and bad. A qualified coach can be instrumental in helping you develop the mental tools you need.

Do your homework. Find someone you trust and who knows how to guide players in this space.

3. Accept That Tennis Is Brutal

Tennis isn’t just difficult, it might be the most difficult sport to truly master.

There are no teammates to rely on during play. No coach to step in mid-match.Only you, your thoughts, and your ability to problem-solve under pressure.

Some days, your game won’t show up. Some matches, you’ll feel off, this is normal.

The key is learning how to manage those off-days with grace and self-compassion.

That’s a trained skill, and it takes time and experience to build.

4. Rest Is Part of the Process

Yes, train hard, push yourself, but also listen to your body.

Recovery is not optional.

If you neglect it, the body will break down. The mind will burn out, and the passion to compete will slowly fade.

Remember: Your life outside of tennis is more important than the sport itself. If tennis is no longer supporting your overall well-being, step back and re-evaluate. Take care of yourself. Only then can you truly compete with your full potential.