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Tennis Tips
- Fitness & Mental Toughness
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An
Excuse is Not a Good Reason to Lose a Match |
Over
the years, we’ve heard them all; the excuses
players can find after losing a match. Sometimes,
they start prepping these excuses before or during
the match (i.e. my stomach/
back/arm/leg/whatever is sore, it’s too windy/cold/sunny/hot,
I can’t play pushers/cheaters/whiners). The
list goes on and on, and none of it is any good.
These excuses are so transparent that no one really
believes them, including the player. Somehow, it
soothes the hurt at the moment of the loss, so emotionally
weaker players often fall prey to this habit. Silly,
isn’t it? If it’s windy for you, then
it’s windy for your opponent. Someone will
win this match. Why not give your energy totally
to simply competing your best no matter what the
circumstances?
Successful players rarely succomb to the temptation
of giving an excuse for a loss; they realize that
it’s much classier and better for their long-term
prospects to give credit to their
opponent for coming up with the goods to beat them.
Even when they have a legitimate reason for not
being able to play their best, top players rarely
volunteer that information before, during, or after
their match. Rafa Nadal and Kim Clijsters exemplify
this true mental toughness, and young players John
Isner and Melanie Oudin show the same character.
Don’t get in the habit of looking for excuses.
Rather keep silent and focus on giving everything
you have to find a way to win. If you don’t,
find the grace to compliment your opponent on a
good match. This approach will fast track you to
real success in competition, and win you respect
along the way.
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