THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PHYSICAL CONDITION

 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PHYSICAL CONDITION

Physical condition is one of the most important elements of games. Acumen can only be acquired when the physical, mental and nervous systems are in harmony. Constant and systematic training is essential for a tournament player. Regular hours of sleep and large, regular meals at regular times are necessary to keep the body operating at peak performance.

Food is particularly important. Eat well but not too much, especially just before playing. I believe in a big, hearty breakfast on the day of a big game. It should be taken at half past eight. A moderate lunch around one if you're playing at three.

Don't eat very rich foods for lunch as they will slow you down on the course. Don't risk indigestion, which is vision's worst enemy. Rich, heavy eating near retirement is bad as you'll likely be "loggy" on the court the next day. It is a certain injury to touch alcoholic beverages in any form during tournament play.

Alcohol is a toxin that affects the eyes, mind and wind, three essential elements in tennis. Tobacco in moderation does little harm, but it also hurts the eyes and the wind. A man facing a long tournament season must abstain from alcohol or tobacco in any form. Excess of any kind is bad for your physical condition and should not be risked. Stagnation is the great enemy of players who play long seasons.

It's a case of too much tennis. Obsolescence is rarely physical exhaustion. A player can always regain their powers by resting. Its symptoms include disgust with the game of tennis and its surroundings, and a lack of interest in the game when you are on the court.

At this point, I would like to take a break from training. Go to the theatre or a concert and take your mind off tennis altogether. Stop worrying about tennis while you're playing it and forget the inconveniences of a bad game when you're off the court. Always have some outside interest to relax on during a tournament, but never let it interfere with your tennis when you should be concentrating on your game.

A good balance is difficult to achieve, but once achieved it is of great help to a tournament player. The training laws must be strictly followed before and after a game. Don't cool off before a game, it makes you stiff and sluggish. Especially after a game, don't go without a coat if you're hot or if you catch a cold. Many players have contracted a tinge of rheumatism from wasting time at the end of their game instead of taking a shower. while it's still hot.

That slight stiffness the next day can mean defeat. A bad cold can mean a serious illness. better, and also avoid the risk of catching a cold.

Tournament players must sacrifice some pleasures in order to succeed. Practice will win many games for a man if he sticks to it. Jerk-off training is useless and should never be attempted. The state in which a player finds himself determines his mental point of view and helps him get used to the external conditions of the game. , the

set can play a big part in the outcome.

It rarely pays to attract crowds. It always pays to gain their sympathy. I don't mean to play around with the gallery, because that will have the opposite effect than you want. The gallery is always for the weakest. Player. It's about helping the underdog.

"If you're a consistent winner, you have to get used to the gallery showing affection for your opponent. It's not a personal dislike for you. It's just a natural reaction in favour of the loser. Sometimes a bad decision for one. Work will win the sympathy of the crowd for him. Galleries are extraordinarily fair in their desires, even if they sometimes miss their emotions.

Besides the effect on the gallery, what I would like to point out here is that if you are the favourite on a call that you know is wrong, try to match it if you can by unobtrusively moving to the next point to lose. A ball over the backstop or into the back net with a cheerful "Here you are". Just type it out or into the web and go about your business as usual. Your opponent always knows when you give them that justice and they appreciate it even when they don't

expect it.

Never do it for effect. It's very tasteless. Only do it if your sense of justice tells you to. Your head should expect a poor reception from the gallery.

A player's doubtful decisions only put him in a bad position in the crowd and cannot change the point. You may know the decision was wrong, but smile and the crowd will join you. These things are the essence of good sportsmanship, and good sportsmanship will win any gallery. The most unattractive player in the world will earn the respect and admiration of the public by showing true sportsmanship at Test time.

Any player who genuinely enjoys a match for the

The sake of the game will always be a good athlete because there is no fun in a match that doesn't give your opponent full justice. A player who plays for the joy of the game wins the crowd when he first steps onto the court. Everyone loves an optimist.