What Does it Take to Win a Back-and-Forth in Tennis
Of course, talent, physical prowess, and technique contribute, but how tennis players respond to adversity, lost points, momentum shifts, and tiredness is the difference-maker.
When you experience challenging circumstances, you have a critical choice. You can allow your adverse circumstances to take over your game or you with mental toughness.
Mental toughness is the difference-maker in close matches. Mental toughness is cultivated through mental conditioning that helps you persist when faced with adversity.
Let’s take a look at three scenarios…
Scenario #1: You are playing in the last set, and the match has been grueling. You are feeling tired and sluggish. Mental toughness helps you focus on the match instead of how your body feels.
Scenario #2: You won the first set and are trying to close out the second set. Your opponent has just won four consecutive games. Mental toughness helps reset your mind and focus on playing one point at a time instead of fearing a collapse and losing the set.
Scenario #3: You are playing the biggest match of your life against an opponent you have never beaten. You are anxious and have doubts about your prospects of winning.
Mental toughness helps you win the battle and play confidently despite the pressure.
Every tennis player has experienced playing in these circumstances, feeling exhausted, playing in tough matches, trying to close out a set, competing under pressure, or playing against a higher-ranked opponent.
In fact, you will NEVER play a match where you are not experiencing mentally challenging circumstances. Playing your best tennis through challenging circumstances is a learned skill every tennis player can develop.
In other words, mental toughness is not reserved for a small portion of top-ranked players; it is developed through training.
Let me say that again. Mental toughness is cultivated through training, and if you commit to mental toughness training, you will elevate your game when playing in adverse circumstances.
At the 2025 Qatar Open, Ekaterina Alexandrova pulled off an upset over Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-3 7-6(5).
The match was a battle until the end when Alexandrova took the final set in a tiebreak. After the match, Alexandrova commented on the difficulty of playing against such a skilled and determined opponent.
ALEXANDROVA: “It took a lot of energy and focus, and it was a very difficult match to play against her because she’s a fighter, and she plays every single point no matter what.”
Alexandrova remained mentally tough throughout the match by using a powerful mental strategy, positive self-talk.
ALEXANDROVA: “I tried to do my best. I told myself before the match: ‘You just need to do the maximum you can tonight, and if you lose, at least you tried everything.’ I’m glad it worked out because it feels amazing right now.”
Mental toughness is the defining factor during highly contested matches.
Tennis is a mental battle. Players who maintain their focus, manage pressure, and compete with a resilient mindset often win.
You can keep your head in close matches by choosing to apply your self-talk.
Self-talk influences how you respond during tough circumstances. Self-talk is a powerful tool to direct your efforts and thoughts when circumstances are challenging.You also want to grind out every point when you are down in the match and have faith that you can turn momentum in your favor.
Related Tennis Psychology Articles
- Mental Toughness in Tennis Through Persistence
- Why Improve Your Mental Toughness Skills
- Mental Toughness Over Mistakes
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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.