How Do You Stay Mentally Strong When Losing?
Summary
Discover how tennis players can build mental toughness and stage comebacks under pressure. Learn key strategies like positive self-talk, staying composed between points, and using motivational cues to fight through match points. Inspired by Alex de Minaur’s dramatic comeback win, this article breaks down the mindset needed to perform when the stakes are highest.
Is there anything more daunting during a tennis match than facing multiple match points?
When you are hanging on by a thread in a match, physical and mental exhaustion can set in. Your arms and legs feel heavy, your breathing quickens, your focus is scattered, and doubt begins to creep into your mind. Every point feels like an uphill climb.
These moments during a match test more than your physical and technical skills. These moments test your belief, your ability to stay present, and your mental toughness.
Fighting until the last point, while it may not lead to victory, builds something more crucial for long-term tennis success… YOUR RESOLVE!
Resolve, resilience, or mental toughness grow each time you refuse to back down or give up. Battling until the end provides you with the experience that you can rely on in future similar situations. It proves to yourself that you won’t quit, no matter the circumstances.
Alex de Minaur executed a noteworthy comeback to win the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open, saving three match points to beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (3) for his first career ATP singles title. After losing the last three games of the first set, de Minaur found himself down 4-1 and 5-2 in the final set. However, de Minaur used the power of his self-talk to regain his composure, adjust his mindset, and refocus on the task at hand.
De Minaur kept reminding himself of a time when he faced similar circumstances during an ATP 500 semifinal, saving four match points to advance to the final.
DE MINAUR: “It’s something about this court. I did it in 2018 against Rublev, and honestly, I just kind of knew I could do it. I just backed myself, and I told myself to commit no matter what, and if I lost this match, it was going to be on my terms. Today it went my way. I’ve had a couple of brutal ones not go my way, so I’m glad this one went my way.”
Comebacks aren’t based on hope or luck. Comebacks are the result of intentional decisions and actions, unbreakable focus, unwavering belief, and the ability to rise to the occasion in pressure moments of a match.
Think of how many matches you could have won if you committed to the fight, believed in your abilities, and focused under pressure.
What separates good players from great ones isn’t just how well they play when things are going their way; it’s how they respond when their back is against the wall.
4 Ways to Mount a Comeback During a Tennis Match
Tennis is a mental game as much as a physical one. You can be down in the score and still come back to win. But it takes grit, focus, and belief. That’s tennis mental toughness.
If you’re struggling in a match, don’t panic. Take a deep breath and reset. Here are four proven ways to stage a comeback—starting now.
1. Remember Past Mental Wins
You’ve been here before. Think about a match where you were losing but found a way to win. Maybe you turned it around in a tiebreak. Maybe you saved match points. Maybe you just refused to quit.
Replay that moment in your mind. Feel the energy, the determination, the shift. You did it once. You can do it again. This is the power of tennis mental toughness—knowing your past wins can fuel your present fight.
2. Talk Yourself into a Comeback
What you say to yourself matters. When you’re down in a match, your inner voice can either help you or hurt you.
Use positive, determined self-talk. Say things like: “One point at a time.” “Stay in the fight.”“I’ve got this.”
These phrases keep your mindset focused and your body relaxed. Remind yourself: comebacks don’t happen in one swing. They happen one point at a time. Keep reinforcing belief with every breath.
3. Regain Your Composure Between Points
One bad point doesn’t define you. But if you carry that mistake into the next one, it can.
Between points, use your routines. Step back. Take a few deep breaths. Drop your shoulders. Loosen your grip. Release tension.
This is how you reset. This is how you stay in the moment. Your ability to refocus after each point is what separates you from your opponent.
This is tennis mental toughness in action—letting go, staying composed, and staying present.
4. Rely on Your Mental Toughness
When things get hard, dig deeper. Use trigger words or phrases to fire up your body and sharpen your mind.
Try: “Dig deep.” “Never give in.” “Compete.”
Say them to yourself with purpose. Use them to shift your energy. They’re not just words—they’re weapons.
Mental toughness isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being relentless. It’s about showing up for every single point, even when it’s hard.
Mental Toughness and a Comeback
Every tennis player will face tough matches. What sets champions apart is their mindset.
Comebacks are never easy. But they’re always possible. When you stay mentally strong, you give yourself a chance. You fight for every ball. You trust your routines. You believe in your ability to turn things around.
Tennis mental toughness isn’t just about surviving. It’s about taking control—one point, one breath, one swing at a time.You’re never out of the fight until the last point is played.
FAQ – Tennis Mental Toughness & Comebacks
Q1: How do tennis players stay calm when facing match point?
A: They focus on staying present, using deep breaths and routines to reset between points. Players often rely on positive self-talk and reminders of past comebacks to stay composed under pressure.
Q2: What is the key to mounting a comeback in tennis?
A: Mental resilience. Comebacks are built on belief, emotional control, and the ability to focus on one point at a time—not luck. Committing fully to each shot and managing your self-talk is crucial.
Q3: Can positive self-talk really impact performance during a match?
A: Yes. Positive self-talk helps regulate emotions, maintain confidence, and shift focus away from fear and toward the process of competing. It’s a proven mental strategy used by elite players.
Q4: What are some examples of mental cues tennis players use?
A: Phrases like “Stay in the fight,” “One point at a time,” or “Commit to the shot” are common. These cues help players refocus, block out distractions, and re-center their mindset.
Q5: How did Alex de Minaur pull off his 2025 comeback win?
A: De Minaur saved three match points by staying composed, recalling a similar comeback in 2018, and committing to fight for every point. His belief in himself and mental toughness carried him to victory.
Related Tennis Psychology Articles
- How to Make a Comeback When You Are Down
- How To Mount Comebacks Late in Matches
- Dokic’s Mental Toughness Sparks Comeback
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Dr. Patrick Cohn is a tennis psychology expert with Peak Performance Sportss, LLC. Learn cutting edge mental strategies based on 35+ years of experience in mental performance coaching with professional to junior competitive tennis players. He is the author of The Mental Edge for Tennis 2.0 audio and workbook program.