Tennis – is this a phenomenon? Tennis is one of the most popular sports of our time. The Association of Tennis Professionals, as it is better known – ATP, was established in 1972 with the aim of protecting the interests of men – professional tennis players. In 1990, the association began organizing an international chain of tennis tournaments for professional men, called the ATP Tour. In addition, it compiles the ATP World Ranking – a ranking of professional tennis players.
The Women’s Tennis Association, or as it is better known – the WTA, was established in 1973 in London, United Kingdom to protect the interests of women professional tennis players.
The Women’s Tennis Association also organizes the annual WTA Tour, the season that includes a series of international tennis tournaments for women. In addition, it compiles the WTA World Ranking – a ranking of professional tennis players.
The International Tennis Federation “stands” above, both organizations.
Figure 1: Roger Federer in action
But has anyone ever wondered why in the major tournaments, for example, the four grand slams, the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open, almost the same tennis players win these tournaments?
The statistics showing which tennis players have won the Grand Slam tournaments can be seen here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Grand_Slam%E2%80%93related_tennis_records
It’s a phenomenon that very few sports analysts can explain.
Now, I will try, albeit very briefly, to state my opinion on this matter.
If we analyze the technique of all leading tennis players from the top hundred in the ATP rankings, we will see that all tennis players have perfect technique on all shots.
In addition, the same tennis players have almost equal physical indicators, such as strength and endurance.
So why are the same tennis players always in the first place?
The answer to this question lies in the talent and first of all in the unique psyche of these winners.
But which elements of the psyche in this case are the most important?
They are several qualities:
(1) Composure and keeping calm in the decisive moments of the game;
(2) Exceptional momentary concentration;
(3) Exceptional will to win;
(4) Quick and accurate thought.
Composure and keeping calm in the decisive moments of the game is the most important quality that every leading tennis player possess. Because everyone knows that tennis is a game of the deciding point. And if the tennis player is not able to keep calm at this fateful moment, then he will lose his concentration and this will lead to a mistake.
These qualities cannot be trained. A tennis player is born with them – either he has them or he doesn’t. Yes, over time, as the tennis player gets older, these qualities begin to wear out, but this is another issue related to the aging of the body.
Therefore, I can confidently say that tennis is not so much a physical sport, but rather a mental one.
Bulgaria, Sofia, 16.04.2023, Sport 02
