Take your time

One of the greatest things about singles tennis is the individual nature of the sport. But that’s also one of the most challenging aspects of the game, and this becomes most apparent when your adversary, after winning a few tough points or a particularly hard-fought game, begins to gain momentum. Because there is no teammate to offer advice or emotional support, many players get down on themselves and allow the match to slip away. That’s a mistake you can avoid. Whenever you feel as if your opponent has the momentum on his side, remind yourself to slow down. Be sure and use the time you’re allotted between points and during changeovers to regain your focus and effectively assess the match and your opponent's game. Then try to come up with strategies to get back into the match. And be especially careful not to allow your mind to linger on the previous rallies. Often, players take extra time and slow things down only to complain to themselves about points they cannot change. That’s a waste of time and will simply make things worse.