Tennis Mental Game : 4 Between-Points Routines

In our previous article on the mental side of tennis, Tennis – Think Like a Champion: A Guide to Winning by Jean-Philippe Vaillant. The core concept is simple: your mental coaching should be supportive, effective, and fun.

Here are 4 concrete scenarios to test in your next match for an immediate impact on your consistency.

Scenario 1: You win the point playing well

Everything went according to plan. The trap here? Dropping your intensity or getting overly excited. The goal is to anchor this success.

You can use:

• Visual: Close your eyes for a split second or gaze at your strings while capturing the precise mental image of your successful shot. Print it into your mind.
• Auditory: A clear, determined “Come on!” (spoken or internal).
• Kinesthetic: A subtle yet firm head nod to validate the execution.

Scenario 2: You lose the point playing well

Your opponent hit a brilliant shot or luck was on their side, but your intentions and execution were spot on. No reason for frustration.

• Visual: Ignore the lost point and focus on the image of your good shot right before it. That is the memory worth keeping.
• Auditory: A genuine “Good shot!” to your opponent. It releases frustration and proves you separate the score from your execution level.
• Kinesthetic: Immediately turn around toward the back fence without dragging your feet. Move on to the next one.

Scenario 3: You win the point playing poorly

A frame shot landing on the line, a mis-hit volley while out of position… The point is yours, but the execution was lacking.

• Visual: Correct the mistake instantly in your head. Visualize the ideal ball trajectory and the exact target zone you intended.
• Auditory: A light, realistic internal reaction: “A point is a point, we take those!”
• Kinesthetic: A subtle head nod. Celebrate and validate every positive outcome, regardless of how it happened.

Scenario 4: You lose the point playing poorly

This is the most dangerous scenario for your mental game—the one that can derail an entire set if left unchecked. You missed an easy ball or chose the wrong tactical option.

• Visual: Reframe the image. Picture the correct ball flight path and target area.
• Auditory: Diffuse tension immediately with self-deprecating humor: “Lol, did I really just hit that?” Humor is your best shield against frustration.
• Kinesthetic: Shadow-swing the correct technique, focus on proper execution, and smile! Give your body the right physical feel before the next point.

Summary: The Three Reflex Rule

To summarize this mental training philosophy, keep this mindset in place:

• If you played well, lock it in.
• If it was average, find the positive side.
• If it was poor, laugh it off.

Apply these routines this week. By changing how you process information between points, you will stop letting the match dictate your emotions—and start controlling your own mental game.