When appraising a tennis player, it's common to consider her ground strokes, net game, serve and speed on the court. While all of these qualities do tell a part of the story, you should not overlook the temperament and personality of a tennis player as telling characteristics related to her chances of success.
Confidence
An article on the website Expert Tennis Tips by Chris Lewis cites a common personality trait among champion tennis players such as John Newcombe, Boris Becker, Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors: an unshakable certainty that they will win. Even in the face of extraordinary competition from the best players in the world, they possessed a firm belief that they were destined to accomplish great things in the game.
Determination
Willingness to do whatever it takes characterizes one top-notch tennis player after another, as described in a study by Janet Young and Alan Pearce on the attributes of champion tennis players. The toughest tennis matches often turn out to be a battle of wills. The will to prevail in a match necessary, but so is the determination to do all the necessary things in preparation. Practicing on days when you don't feel like it and working endlessly on your weaknesses serve as indications of just how badly you want success.
Resilience
No successful tennis player, regardless of talent level, has achieved his goals without adversity. Young and Pearce's study identified the ability of tennis champions to rebound from setbacks. An player whose personality leads him to grow frustrated or panic at the first sign of difficulty in an important match lacks the necessary tools to reverse the trend and get back on top. While resilience can be learned, those for whom it is a natural trait enjoy a distinct advantage.
Grace Under Pressure
Chris Lewis calls the ability to remain calm at the most critical points of a match invaluable in playing championship tennis. As much as a player tries to anticipate and prepare for pressure situations, the actual experience will serve as the true test. Top tennis players possess personalities that make them crave these tests, the pressure of big moments. While many people fear such scenarios, champions thrive on them.
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