Guest Author - Eric T. Coursey
The fact of the matter is that many athletes are superstitious. Baseball players will put on their rally caps, hockey players will grow their playoff beards and there are many other superstitious traditions in sports. There are many individual athletes that have their own superstitions, tennis players included. There are strange little quirks to some people like having your water bottle placed precisely in the same spot every time, and then there is the obsessive compulsive behaviours like not stepping on the lines between points. It really doesn’t matter what your superstition is, it won’t help.
It’s really not about superstition but rather about routine. Whatever your routine is, if you keep it the same there is less chance of becoming distracted. Players will tell you of all kinds of superstitious rituals that they have like bouncing the ball between their legs, or how many times they bounce the ball before they serve. None of these things will make you a better player but the routine will help keep you focused and your mental game will have less distractions. Sports are 90 percent mental, if you aren’t focused you have already lost.
Andre Agassi has his own share of quirks on the court. Every time Agassi serves he makes sure that all of the ball boys are back in their original position, he will even ask him or her to return to their position before he will serve. Serena Williams has to wear the same socks throughout an entire tournament. Justine Henin-Hardenne didn’t like to step on any of the lines between points but she is no longer as superstitious as she once was. These superstitions may seem a little crazy but these are rituals that the players live by. The mental aspect of tennis is so important that any little advantage, especially if it is in your head, is worth trying.
Begin working on your mental game using rituals to get your mind focused. This is beneficial no matter what level of play you are at. It takes focus to consistently do the little things, like watching the ball through your stroke or not moving your head during your swing. When you become distracted you will notice that your unforced errors will increase, making it even more difficult to maintain your focus. The key to remember is that it’s not the ritual itself that will help you but rather you thinking that it will help that is most beneficial.
