Momentum is Key in Tennis
What is the best way to build on a breakout year or a strong competitive season?
Not every tennis player continues to lift their game after a successful season. You would think a player would be able to ride the wave of momentum after a productive season.
However, many tennis players falter, and some even slide backwards in terms of performance. Let’s examine the reasons for this phenomenon. After a breakout year, a player has the choice of three major thought processes:
1. What if I can’t repeat? Some players may attribute success to luck or see the previous season as a one-off. Instead of looking for ways to build off the previous year, they are overtaken by fear or weighed down by expectations.
The pressure to perform builds to the point that their biggest foe is themselves, not the player on the other side of the court.
2. Happy to be here. Some players view a past great season as their crowning achievement, and they don’t reset their goals. They don’t put in the effort to elevate their game.
Instead, they rest on their laurels, happy with what they accomplished yesterday.
3. Look forward, not backwards. Some players view the past season as proof that they have the physical and technical ability. They gain confidence from their success but are not satisfied; they want more.
Therefore, they evaluate the past year and identify areas for growth in their game to achieve greater success.
They set challenging, yet realistic, goals that require them to push beyond their comfort zone. The “Look Forward” mindset is the key to sustained growth and long-term tennis success.
These players don’t view their breakout season as the pinnacle of their career, but rather as another step in the process of uncovering their potential.
Players with the “Look Forward” mindset stay hungry and view each day as an opportunity to elevate their performance. They commit to daily excellence as well as doing what it takes to get to the next level.
Take, for example, No. 6 seed Jasmine Paolini. Paolini reached the 2025 Internazionali BNL d’Italia final after coming back from being down 4-1 in the first set, saving two set points, to defeat Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-1.
In the final, Paolini went on to beat No. 4 seed Coco Gauff, 6-4, 6-2, to win her third singles title. Paolini had a breakout season in 2024, reaching the second week of every major tournament.
So far, in 2025, Paolini has a 22-8 record and has climbed to a career-high ranking of No. 4. Paolini looks upon last year as a source of confidence but recognizes 2025 is a brand-new season, with new challenges, goals, and opportunities.
To meet these challenges, Paolini continues to push herself to be the best she can be.
PAOLINI: “I’m trying to be in the mindset that last year was a great year, but it gives me a lot of confidence. I have to remember that I have a lot of experience under my belt. At the same time, this year is another year. It’s a different, completely different story.”
When you embrace the mindset of continual growth, you may celebrate past victories, but you focus your attention on preparing for what’s next.
Excellence requires a daily investment of work and focus. Each day, then, becomes an opportunity for greater accomplishments.
Reflect and reset your goals every season. Make sure your goals are meaningful and challenge you each day to be your best.Potential can only be achieved when you stay uncomfortable, stay hungry, and stay focused.
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