Mental War

One of the areas I wanted to work on during my time off from tournaments is my mental game. I talk with many players on the tour and not much is mentioned about this aspect of the game. When we talk about tennis it’s about what we’re working on stroke wise. I changed my serve, I’m learning a slice backhand, I want to improve my volleys. Comments like these are more common than talking about mental stuff. It would be great to get a group going, maybe a website, where players can share their own personal experiences and insights on what has helped them improve, encourage, motivate, overcome, surpass, difficult moments in their career, on the tour, in matches, etc.

It may be a shock to some of you but people close to me know me as a negative Nancy. I lean towards a negative outlook rather than a positive one. I sure wish I could say I look at the glass half full all the time but sadly it doesn’t always happen. Even with this “attribute” of mine, I think I can proudly and confidently state I’m very motivated and determined (sometimes taking it as far as being stubborn). It’s almost like a balancing act with these two. One wants to bring me down and the other lifts me up. My beautiful and wonderful friend Hannah tells me all the time to stop being Negative Nancy and start being Confident Connie! J

Nancy and Connie fight between each other all the time. Nancy wants to look at things negatively. She thinks it’s safer. You won’t get hurt and you’ll be prepared because you’ll know what you’re up against. You’ll know what to improve and overcome. Connie swoops in and wants to prove that thinking wrong. Connie wants to prove others wrong as well and show them that I can do it and make it.

I hope I don’t sound like a schizophrenic maniac here.  I thought I was being creative.

Nancy is a big, monstrous wall I put up in front of me that is unnecessary. I keep building imaginative boulders just to feel like I’m worth anything and I’ve accomplished something. This is not ideal. To really move forward and accomplish something requires mounds of grace and heaps of confidence. Two things I give myself only when I’m dying on the side of the road with a severed arm and a puncture wound on my leg.

With all this being said, I hope the time spent here at home getting ready for the upcoming season will have something to show for. I believe I can improve my ranking and become a top competitor in tennis.

Because it’s 1-11-11 let’s make a wish and proclaim I CAN DO IT!