Your Guide to a Successful First Tennis Tournament (Player's Perspective)

Entering your first tennis tournament is an intimidating, unsettling, and often revealing experience. I completely understand! When I started participating in tournaments, I lost my first six matches... in a row! It was a real blow to my self-esteem, and resulted in a massive lack of confidence in my tennis skills. I had no clue about what strategies and game plan to implement during a match. Over the past 20 years of coaching juniors and reflecting on my initial tournament experiences, I've identified three essential components for first-time tournament players that will set you up for a successful debut!

Remember to consider these components within the broader context of overall tennis development. This is a lengthy process, and each event is designed to enhance our growth as tennis players. It’s a journey that requires time, patience, and an ongoing effort.

#1: Understanding Your Personal Preparation

#2: Establish Your Game Plan

#3: Keeping Perspective

Let's explore each of the three components in more detail and examine how they contribute to our tournament preparation process.

#1: Understanding Your Personal Preparation

Firstly, when you enter the match court, you are completely on your own. There is no coach, parent, teammate, or support within the fenced tennis court. That's the reality! Regardless of what happens during the match, it's your responsibility to confront and handle situations appropriately.

Does that sound intimidating? It might be.

However, we can accept this challenge. We can prepare ourselves as thoroughly as possible for whatever may happen from the time we step onto the court until we shake hands and the match concludes. This raises the question... How can we embrace the unknown?

1. It's ok to feel uneasy.

   If you are my student, we've dedicated a significant amount of time to preparing you for this. We've engaged in pointplay and matchplay situations to give you a sense of what you might experience on gameday. We've covered common rules and scoring issues you might face, and even how to handle unsportsmanlike conduct or situations. Regardless, being out there on your own without a Coach can be daunting. It's alright! You'll navigate through this, and it's an essential step in your development process.

2. Take your time in each moment.  

   1. Keep your goals in mind. We likely discussed the following:

      1. Implement your technique

      2. Build consistency

      3. Stay relaxed during changeovers

      You have 20 seconds between each point, 90 seconds during changeovers, and 120 seconds between sets. Use these moments to breathe, consider your goals, and engage in positive self-talk without rushing.

3. Enjoy your time, embrace the challenge.  

   Keep in mind that the chance to play a Tennis match may not always be available. Each match we are fortunate enough to play offers a wealth of lessons, reflections, and opportunities for improvement. Every challenge presents a chance to enhance our skills, mindset, and problem-solving abilities.

   
   

Each of us responds differently to stress, challenging situations, and the tests life presents. A tennis match will mirror these responses. Preparing your mind and emotions in the days before your first event, as mentioned above, can help reduce some of the anxiety you might experience during the initial event.

#2: Establish Your Game Plan

Your are ready for this! You wouldn't be in this position unless you and your Coach felt that you are ready to take this step. It's time to establish a game plan and objectives to follow.

1. What are you trying to accomplish?

   1. Let's begin by understanding the mindset required for our first event. Aiming for a win won't be effective. Instead, focus on executing what you've been practicing. Here are some examples:

      1. If you've been concentrating on consistency in practice, aim to establish rallies lasting at least 5-8 shots.

      2. If your priority is footwork and balance, ensure you move your feet between shots and maintain balance while approaching each ball.

      3. If technique and stroke production are crucial, remind yourself of the correct technique before each point begins.

   2. Identify 3 main focus points for your match and concentrate on achieving these goals.

2. Understand the Framework.  

   The aim of a tournament is straightforward: to perform what you've been practicing as skillfully as possible. Consider a tennis match as an extension of your practice environment. A match is essentially another chance to focus on the goals you're striving to achieve in practice. The only way to succeed in the match is by working on the elements you've practiced.

3. Do your best to Execute.  

   Keep in mind that despite having practiced for weeks, months, or even years leading up to this moment, there's no assurance that match day will unfold as you planned. Give it your all and let the day unfold as it will.

In the past, I have consistently trained, prepared, and positioned myself to perform well in a tennis match. Usually, I achieve a satisfactory outcome, though occasionally the results are mediocre, and at other times they exceed expectations. Every day is a fresh start, and our outcomes are not always within our control.

#3: Keeping Perspective

This is a Process. Progress is not determined by the number of matches you win or lose, but by how much you improve over time. There will always be another match to play, another tournament to enter, and another ranking to reach. A single tournament is just a small step in the vast timeline of your Tennis development.

Remember that every match is an opportunity for:

1. Improvement

2. Data collection

3. Test of skills

   
   

We aim to optimize each of the categories mentioned for every match we participate in. By doing so, we can effectively prepare during practice for our next tennis match opportunity.

Take pride in your preparation and trust that you are ready to perform, regardless of the outcome!

Make sure to spend some time in the week leading up to your event discussing the steps with your Coach. Bring a notebook or your phone to jot down notes about your game plan and objectives for the event. Ask questions and ensure you have a clear understanding of the tournament goals.