I’m going to talk to you about some things I’ve learned in my tennis journey, most
from experience, others I’ve heard from passing, many of them still practicing but all I do
believe are true…

● Get yourself in a good mood before playing
Tennis is a very good sport to exercise the mind and the body, but as a former competition
player, I know it can be very frustrating also. Listening to your favorite music before training
is a good stimulus for the body, and to get a positive vibe around your body going on. A good
breakfast, or snack of your like also helps a lot, especially if it’s healthy and light to digest.

● Focus on your strengthsThroughout the years I spent a lot of time trying to improve all of my shots that were
considered “weaknesses” instead of trying to perfect the shots that were my strength. Of
course, it’s important to practice things that you’re missing in your game, but don’t
over-think and over-excel yourself trying to do so, things will come in their time, not in your
time. Focus on what you can control.

● Play your “A” Game
Always play the way you feel comfortable, whether it’s attacking, defending, going a lot to
the net, serving well, hitting hard, or with a lot of spin, whatever it is that you identify your
game with. Make sure that you play your game, and not the other person’s game. As long as
you try to play every point at “your maximum”, you keep a positive attitude, and you don’t
complain, I think no matter the outcome you will be a winner that day. Make your “A” game
a habit and a trend of yours.

● Either you win or you learn
Tennis is the kind of sport that you have to get comfortable with defeat, and I don’t mean
that you need to like losing, I mean that you need to learn how to manage it, because it’s
going to happen…a lot. At some point, whether it’s competing in a tournament, in your
weekly group class, or even playing against the wall everyone loses. When it happens just
make sure that every time you lose you take it as a learning process, we aim for perfection
but there’s no such thing in tennis or in life. Countless hours of repetition is what is going to
make you “perfect”.

● The Next
As I said before, focus on what you can control. Don’t get stuck in the past because you can’t
change it. If you missed an easy shot that you know you shouldn’t have missed… well shake
it off and say “next”. Always focus on the next point, whatever happened let it go because
it’s history. What matters is what you do “next”, how you act “next”.