Childhood behaviors are essential to excellence!?!
Being able to play tennis like someone beyond your years is always a goal, but it cannot be achieved with out staying in touch with some elementary, traits of our childhood. Adult-like strength is important for the development of power and speed that is necessary to dominate opponents. Adult-like mental wisdom and maturity is sought so that a player will be able to rise to the challenge of competitive pressures. Yet to fully achieve tennis excellence, a player must not forget behaviors of childhood… more specifically, curiosity, imagination, and enthusiasm. Too often these qualities are neglected during the rigorous training that is required for success on the court.

Curiosity is passion for learning and a boldness to see problems and challenges from new angles. There is little that does not interest us during childhood. We are fascinated by the smallest stones and the tiniest bugs and ask questions ranging from, "Why is the sky blue?" to "How come grandma takes her teeth out at the dinner table?" Childlike curiosity has a great purpose, it helps us embrace new ideas and use them towards success.

Are you curious in your approach to tennis? Do you learn from both your successes and failures? Are you active in your learning process? During your practice sessions take 5 to 10 minutes to try new things, risk messing up, and "productively" goof off! Explore new spins and strategies.

Imagination is a trait that can bring excitement to practice, build your confidence on court, and solve problems that arise during matches. As a child our imagination runs wild. We travel to far off lands, take part in daring adventures, and win Wimbledon, the French, and at Flushing Meadows without leaving our thoughts and neighborhoods. All things are possible in the mind of a child.

Similarly, all things are possible in your mind. Unfortunately, with age, this fact tends to be forgotten. When losing focus during practice, use your imagination to create challenges and games to get you through grueling drills. If you are struggling to trust a stroke, take ten minutes a day to imagine yourself hitting it perfect in practice and during matches. If you find yourself feeling helpless during a match, use your imagination to determine new ways to attack your opponent. Champions not only display great talent, fitness, and determination, but also great imagination.

Enthusiasm is essential for achieving great heights in anything that you embrace. As a child your number one mission was to have fun! To succeed on the court you must fill your game with passion and fun. Training ought to be filled with hard work, but also laughs and smiles.

Fill your tennis with enthusiasm. Have an energetic attitude, it will lead to energetic play. Choose challenging goals for yourself, ones that you will enjoy journeying (i.e. practicing, competing, etc.) towards. Surround yourself with people who have passion that will help fuel your efforts. Have fun!