How do Tennis Players Execute Under Pressure?
Building trust in your tennis game is essential for peak performance, especially under pressure. When you lack trust, hesitation and self-doubt lead to unforced errors and a defensive mindset, as seen in Aryna Sabalenka’s recent Grand Slam defeats. To build trust, focus on three key strategies: prepare thoroughly to boost confidence, train under pressure to stay composed in tough moments, and use positive self-talk to reinforce belief in your abilities. Trust grows through consistent practice, mental conditioning, and a commitment to playing with confidence when it matters most.
Do you lose trust in your game late in tennis matches? Do you know how to build trust in your game?
When you lack trust in your ability to execute shots during a tennis match, your performance can quickly unravel. Doubt leads to hesitation, and hesitation disrupts your timing and swing mechanics.
Instead of committing fully to your shots, you second-guess yourself mid-swing, leading to an increased number of unforced errors. As the pressure mounts, you start doubting your abilities, which quickly erodes your confidence.
A lack of trust causes you to play tentatively or merely return the ball rather than going for yourshot and hitting winners. Not only does the “play-it-safe” mode affect your game, but it sends a signal to your opponent that you have given up, and it’s time to go for the kill.
Trusting yourself and “going for it” in tennis, especially under pressure, is all about building confidence, committing to your decisions, and managing fear. Trusting yourself is relying on your strengths and your ability to bounce back after losing a few games.
Trust is the key to success, affecting your mindset, physiology, mechanics, focus, and your ability to compete.
Trust has been an issue for Aryna Sabalenka, who struggled in the latter stages of Grand Slam tournaments during the 2025 season.
In the Wimbledon semi-final, Amanda Anisimova beat Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. The loss was Sabalenka’s third loss in the latter stages of a Grand Slam tournament. Sabalenka also lost in the final of both the Australian Open and the French Open.
In her post-match press conference, Sabalenka talked about what has been holding her back at the biggest tournaments this season.
SABALENKA: “I have to go for my shots, I don’t have to stop my arms. I have to be confident in my shots, in my decisions, and just trust myself. It seems like in all of these three tough defeats in the Slams, for me, I wasn’t trusting myself. And every time that I remind myself ‘you have to trust’, ‘you can do literally anything on the court, every time I show my best tennis.
Having trust in your game is more than just a concept: it’s essential for reaching your potential as a tennis player. The ability to trust your training, instincts, and shot-making is necessary for peak play under pressure.
Even though building trust takes time, repetition, and commitment, it is the necessary mental skill that can take you from good to great.
3 Powerful Methods to Build Trust in Your Tennis Game
Trust is the foundation of playing your best tennis. When you trust your swing, your footwork, and your decisions, you play freer, more confident, and more aggressive. But trust doesn’t come out of nowhere. It’s earned through preparation, mindset, and practice.
If you want to build trust in your tennis game, here are three powerful methods that can help you step on the court ready to perform, especially when the pressure is on.
1. Build Confidence Through Preparation
Confidence starts long before you step onto the court.
When you’ve put in the work—practiced your shots, conditioned your body, and sharpened your mental skills—you create a solid base of trust.
Preparation includes more than just hitting balls. It means building your aerobic fitness, developing a strategic game plan, and training your mind to handle stress.
The more prepared you feel, the more you’ll trust yourself to go for your shots when it counts.
Preparation turns nerves into readiness and doubt into belief.
2. Train Under Pressure
Tennis matches are often decided in the toughest moments.
To build trust in your tennis game, you must train to be comfortable with pressure.
Create practice scenarios that simulate match conditions. Play tiebreakers in practice, set up score deficits, or simulate break points.
This experience teaches your mind and body how to stay calm and focused under stress.
When real pressure hits, you’ll recognize it and know exactly how to respond.
Training under pressure builds trust that you can perform late in matches — no matter the situation.
3. Talk Yourself Into Success
Your inner voice is powerful.
Too often, players talk themselves out of good shots or give up mentally during tough points.
Instead, use self-talk to build yourself up and keep your head in the game.
Simple phrases like, “I’ve trained for this,” “Trust my ability,” or “I’m built for this moment” can shift your mindset.
Positive self-talk fuels confidence and keeps you fighting for every point.
It reminds your brain that you are prepared and capable.
Build Trust in Your Tennis Game and Play with Confidence
Trust doesn’t happen overnight. It grows from deliberate preparation, training smart, and managing your mindset.
By building confidence through preparation, training under pressure, and talking yourself into success, you create a mindset that won’t crack when it matters most.
If you want to build trust in your tennis game, start with these methods today.
Practice hard. Play tough. Trust yourself.
Your best tennis is waiting.
FAQ – Building Trust in Your Tennis Game
Q1: What does it mean to trust your tennis game?
A: Trusting your tennis game means relying on your training, instincts, and shot-making abilities, especially during high-pressure moments. It allows you to commit fully to your shots without hesitation or fear.
Q2: Why do tennis players lose trust late in matches?
A: Players often lose trust late in matches due to mounting pressure, fear of failure, or recent mistakes. This leads to hesitation, disrupted timing, and a tendency to play it safe rather than going for their shots.
Q3: How does a lack of trust affect tennis performance?
A: Without trust, players second-guess themselves, hesitate during swings, and commit more unforced errors. This defensive mindset makes it easier for opponents to dominate.
Q4: What are the best ways to build trust in your tennis game?
A: The three most effective ways are: 1) build confidence through preparation, 2) train under pressure to simulate match conditions, and 3) use positive self-talk to reinforce belief in your abilities.
Q5: How can positive self-talk help during tennis matches?
A: Positive self-talk helps shift your mindset, build confidence, and stay focused. Simple phrases like “Trust my ability” or “I’ve trained for this” can keep you mentally strong during critical points.
Q6: How did Aryna Sabalenka’s experience illustrate the importance of trust?
A: Sabalenka’s losses in key Grand Slam matches were linked to a lack of trust in her shots. She acknowledged that when she reminded herself to trust, she played her best tennis.
Q7: Can trust in your game be trained like physical skills?
A: Yes, trust is a mental skill that can be developed through consistent practice, mental conditioning, and deliberate pressure training. Like any skill, it improves with time and repetition.
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Improve Your Mental Game for Tennis
Mental Coaching Programs for Tennis Players
Mental game coaching can help athletes develop mental toughness to improve their skills and overcome mental barriers, such as confidence, concentration (focus) or lack of composure. To become mentally tough, you need to learn how to replace unhealthy attitudes and beliefs and replace them with healthy ones in order to achieve your peak performance.
The goal of mental game coaching is to teach athletes to be more confident, improve their focus, stay composed under pressure, practice more efficiently and develop better service and pregame routines.