Without a doubt, the key to tennis is consistency. Whether you
are hitting the ball directly to your opponent or going for a
winner, you must be consistent. Physical consistency requires mental
consistency. So, what is the key to unlock mental consistency? It's
concentration! The ability to stay focused on what you are doing for
long periods of time. Whether it is playing a match or practicing,
the more you are capable of staying focused, the more consistent you
will become. You may be thinking, "Okay, I will buy that,
concentration is the key to consistency. So, where do I get this
concentration thing from? Can I purchase a pill someplace?" No, but
if you ever find one let me know!
The truth is that the key to unlock concentration is self-discipline.
Wow! This is really beginning to hit home. You are responsible
through self-discipline to improve your concentration, which in turn
improves your consistency. This means you should not only concentrate
when things are going well, but also when you are losing, having
trouble, or even when you are tired. Many times during practice I
have heard players say. "I'm tired, I can't concentrate anymore, it's
time to stop." In other words, what they are really saying is, it was
the tiredness that made them stop concentrating; it is not their
fault! This is where self-discipline comes into play. You discipline
yourself to keep concentrating even though you are tired and playing
poorly. By doing this you are challenging yourself to reach a new
level of concentration. When your concentration improves so will
your consistency.
Too many times players look for something external, like an exciting
situation or playing well to help them concentrate, instead of
relying on their own internal decision-making process. Repeat! Too
many times players look for something external, like an exciting
situation or playing well to help them concentrate, instead of
relying on their own internal decision-making process. If you would
like to increase your consistency in tennis you must be self-
disciplined and concentrate, regardless of the situation.
To summarize, the key to tennis is CONSISTENCY - the key to
consistency is CONCENTRATION - the key to concentration is SELF-
DISCIPLINE - the key to self-discipline is YOU - and what is the key
to YOU?...I haven't the faintest idea!!! You are on your own! You may
have to pick the lock!
