One of Those Days / Mental Tennis Tips

tennis balls

Sometimes we have… one of those days – when the feel of the ball is lost, when the wrist “breaks” at contact and we lose control of the racquet, when the feet are not listening and the reactions are slower than usual… Yes, that’s the day I’m talking about.

What should you do when things don’t feel right during a match?
It will be challenging, but do not give up! I was there before and I know the frustration…
Here are a few tips to consider when you go through that feeling:

  • Remain calm and do not show your frustration – your opponent should not be aware of what is happening to you.
  • Try changing your game plan – put more spin on your strokes, hit with a higher margin for error, move up to the net, etc.
  • Fill your mind with positive thoughts.
  • Acknowledge the rough time you’re going through but tell yourself that it will not last long, and make yourself believe it!
  • Prepare for a long match – when only winning matters and not the quality of your play (within the limits of fair play though).
  • Pay attention to your opponent’s mistakes and use the information to your advantage.

Above all, it’s not the end of the world if you lose a match, so… relax and do your best.

Cosmin Miholca

Cosmin Miholca

Certified Tennis Coach

Check out my work at WebTennis24 where I share with you my best video tennis lessons, drills and tips for players, coaches and tennis parents.

The 10 Commandments For Tennis Coaches

1. You shall not wear sunglasses when talking with your students or greeting anyone.

2. You shall always have a positive attitude.


3. You shall always remember your students’ names and greet them as soon as they enter your tennis court.


4. You shall not pick up, talk, or text on your phone during tennis lessons.


5. You shall never be late to your tennis lesson otherwise it is free for your client.


6. You shall not speak poorly of your fellow tennis coaches (or any clubs or tennis organization affiliations) regardless of their teaching methods.


7. You shall show respect to your clients and make them feel welcome even after they have stopped coming to you for lessons.


8. Once in a while you shall give free lessons to those who cannot afford them, and spend extra time with your clients who need more help.


9. You shall always look clean and smell nice.

10. You shall always look for ways to improve your tennis knowledge and share it with your students and younger fellow coaches who seek guidance.

Cosmin Miholca

Cosmin Miholca

Certified Tennis Coach

Check out my work at WebTennis24 where I share with you my best video tennis lessons, drills and tips for players, coaches and tennis parents.

How To Watch a Tennis Match

“How to watch a tennis match? What do you mean by that?”
I mean: do you learn anything from watching a tennis match?

Yes, watching a tennis match can be a great lesson if you actively analyze what happens on the court and, above all, ask yourself questions… Do we take something out of this experience or are we simply spectators going through the emotions of winning or losing a tennis match?
Is watching tennis a learning experience for you?
If the answer is NO, then I would like to suggest that you keep the following list next to you while watching the next tennis match…

It is important, for your improvement, to ask yourself questions. Questions will provide you with valuable answers. These answers will help you understand tennis and where you want to get as a player.

So pick your favorite player and follow them while asking yourself these following questions:
– Where are they aiming their first serve: the opponent’s forehand, backhand, or middle?
– Where are they hitting the second serve to? What spin are they using?
– Where are they aiming their returns of serve to?
– Where are most of their groundstrokes aimed at? Are they going mostly to a certain side (opponent’s weakness, cross-court)?
– How early are they preparing for the ball?
– Where are they standing to receive the first serve? What about the second serve?
– Where are they placing/aiming their approach shot?
– During the rally, how is their court coverage (covering cross-court quickly from the baseline)?
– At key points (15-30, 30-15, 40-30, 30-40, AD in, Ad out), where are they serving to? And what kind of spin are they using?
– How do they play key (pressure) points?
– Where are they aiming the defensive shots?
– At change-over – what do they eat and drink? How much?
– How is their body language after a point they just lost? What about after a winner?
– How far back are they taking the racquet when returning the serve (notice the short back-swing)?
The list can go on. Feel free to add your own questions…

If you have not watched a tennis match asking questions, then do it now. You will be amazed at how exciting the experience can be and what valuable information you will get from it.

Cosmin Miholca

Cosmin Miholca

Certified Tennis Coach

Check out my work at WebTennis24 where I share with you my best video tennis lessons, drills and tips for players, coaches and tennis parents.