06/05/2026
Most players don’t choke because of lack of skill.
They choke because pressure changes where their attention goes.
Under stress: • Players overthink automatic skills
• Focus shifts to results and consequences
• Attention narrows
• Muscles tighten
• Decision-making breaks down
At the same time, performance moves outside the optimal arousal zone — too little intensity leads to flat performance, too much leads to choking.
The problem is not pressure itself.
The problem is losing clarity under pressure.
That’s why mental training cannot be separated from tennis training.
Players need to train: • Decision-making under stress
• Emotional control
• Match awareness
• Refocusing on controllables
Because in competition, you don’t rise to the occasion — you fall to your level of training.
Train for pressure. Not just technique 🎾
