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Match Day Mindset: Stay Focused and Win

  • theaicefangchomper
  • 6 hours ago
  • 4 min read

July 6, 2025 – 3:00 PM:

Finals day. Tournament match time. My nerves were all over the place. With this being the championship round, I was anxious, fearful and determined. I arrived early to check in and warm up. At 3:35 PM, we were called to the court. After a 5-minute warm-up, the match began.

And so did my spiral.

0-1. 0-2. I started to lose my cool.


0-3. 0-4. My mindset started to unravel. My shoulders slumped. I was getting frustrated with myself for every little mistake. Then I noticed my dad filming from the sidelines—and in his eyes, I saw disappointment. Sitting on the bench between games, I could feel tears welling up. But right then, I remembered something powerful: Alcaraz’s comeback at the French Open—down two sets and facing three match points in favor of Sinner.

If he could turn it around, so could I.

I told myself, “Just play your game.” I was already down, so what did I have to lose? I made a decision to not let the fear of losing take away the joy I feel when I play this sport that I love. A I’ve played it day after day, week after week. I wasn’t going to hold back anymore.


But then—1-4. I yelled out, “COME ON!” with everything I had left. My dad raised his fist in support. That was the moment. The match wasn’t over; it was just beginning.

2-4. 3-4. I was back in the game.

4-4. “COME ON!”—louder than before. I truly believed I could win.

4-5. I told myself, “It’s okay. You just won three games. Win three more.” I did. I took the set 7-5.

My opponent was stunned. She had been up 4-0—and now she’d lost the set. I could feel the shift in energy. I carried that momentum into the second set and won it 6-1.

I had won the finals. I was the champion.


The Mental Game: More Important Than You Think

The hardest part of tennis isn’t always physical; it's the mental game of tennis. It is staying confident and positive, especially when things aren’t going your way. Being confident means believing you can win, even when you're behind - it’s trusting your shots and backing yourself.

Being positive doesn’t mean ignoring your mistakes - it means learning from them instead of tearing yourself down.

One book that helped me with this is “The Inner Game of Tennis” by W. Timothy Gallwey. It’s not just about tennis; it’s about mindset. He introduces two “selves”:

  • Self 1, the overthinking, negative voice that constantly tells us what to do and what we did wrong

  • Self 2, the natural doer who actually plays the game

When Self 1 dominates, we lose confidence. The trick is to quiet Self 1 and trust Self 2. That lesson changed how I approached my game—and even how I handle challenges off the court.

My Personal Mindset Tools

Staying mentally strong takes practice and sometimes, a few personal rituals. Here are three things I do to stay grounded, happy, and motivated:


Berry the Unicorn

I keep a small unicorn stuffed animal named Berry in my bag. Sounds silly? Not at all. Even pros like Coco Gauff travel with stuffed animals! For me, Berry reminds me of why I started playing - my younger self who just loved the game. In tough moments, I place Berry on the bench to remind me to smile and keep going. (Yes, I had Berry with me at 1-4 in the finals!)


Qigong for Mental Focus

This summer, I started practicing Qigong to strengthen my mental game. During each session, the teacher emphasized one powerful idea: bring your mind back into your body. It's completely normal for your thoughts to drift; after all, we’re human. The key is to gently guide your focus back to the present moment. That practice of awareness helps me become the doer, fully engaged in the game, not caught up in what just happened or what might happen next. It’s helps me stay calmer, more focused, and more grounded during intense points on court.

Pumping Myself Up

After good points, I fist-pump to my dad. After great points or sets, I yell “COME ON!” to keep my energy high and confidence stronger than my doubts.

My Tennis Journal

After matches or practices, I write down what went well and what I can improve. This helps me reflect and reset with purpose.


Final Thoughts

Having the right headspace is a game-changer: not just in tennis, but in life. And while mindset is the foundation, small personal habits can give you that extra boost. Whether it's a lucky charm, a meditation routine or a journal, find what makes you feel strong and stay focused.

At the end of the day, the key is simple: Believe in yourself. Trust your game.


As my mom always says:

"It’s not about how you fall, but how you come back up."


 
 
 

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