Kuznetsova Used Mental Tennis To Put Russian Women in Fed Cup Semi-Finals

February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Kuznetsova Used Mental Tennis To Put Russian Women in Fed Cup Semi-Finals. Wikimedia Commons by Carine 06

In Moscow today, Svetlana Kuznetsova Used Mental Tennis To Put Russian Women in Fed Cup Semi-Finals. It seems that Kuznetsova got off to a good start but then in the second set lost her mental nerve and concentration. Luke Phillips of ninemsn.com describes it like this:

Kuznetsova Used Mental Tennis To Put Russian Women in Fed Cup Semi-Finals

Russian tennis star Svetlana Kuznetsova put her squad into the semifinals by beating Silvia Soler-Espinosa of Spain in a tough three-setter in Moscow.

Two-time Grand Slam winner Kuznetsova beat Soler-Espinosa 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to give Russia an unassailable 3-1 lead.

“It’s really tough to come back into the match after you lose concentration halfway into the second set,” Kuznetsova said. “Luckily, I managed to put my feet back on the ground in the third and win.”

In the second Kuznetsova, who is 19th in the world, broke early for a 4-1 lead but than lost her nerve completely allowing Soler-Espinoza to win five games in a row to level at one set all after one hour 25 minutes on court.

The win of Kuznetsova over Soler-Espinosa of Spain placed Russia in the final four. In the article, which you can read in its entirety here, tells how Kuznetsova Used Mental Tennis To Put Russian Women in Fed Cup Semi-Finals.

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Mind Tennis #1 Azarenka Pulls Out of the Fed Cup With Injury

February 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Mind Tennis #1 Azarenka Pulls Out of Fed Cup With Injury. Wikimedia Commons by ataelw.

Victoria Azarenka let it be known that mind tennis was a very important part of her tennis game. But yesterday, mind tennis #1 Azarenka pulled out of the Fed Cup with injury. Her withdrawal from the Fed Cup singles matches has made the contest easier for the United States team.

Ben Rothenberg of the NYTimes.com says Azarenka pull out of the singles competition because of a lower-back injury.

Mind Tennis #1 Azarenka Pulls Out of the Fed Cup With Injury

Azarenka, who blitzed Maria Sharapova, 6-3, 6-0, to win her first Grand Slam championship, has not lost a match in 2012, compiling a 12-0 record en route to titles in Sydney and Melbourne.

The sudden withdrawal of Azarenka, 22, took some excitement out of the tie. She had played the best tennis of her career in Australia while letting her personality loose. After routine wins against unseeded opponents, she celebrated with her tongue out, wagging her finger toward her box with a swagger that was decidedly more Dikembe Mutumbo than Rod Laver.

“The attitude, I was just trying to be there, be present, you know, in every moment, and try to give my best,” Azarenka said during an interview before the tie against the United States. “I’m really believing I can go all the way through, but I always take it step by step. I never jump ahead.”

Azarenka has displayed a level of braggadocio that women’s tennis has not seen perhaps since the early days of Martina Hingis in the 1990s, when she was dissecting opponents with vicious spins and a delighted grin. Azarenka’s confidence does not manifest itself in midmatch smiles, but rather in fist-pumps and struts.

She often walks around the court between points with the same sort of bounce she has when she walks on for warm-ups — when she has music blaring in her ears and a hood over her head as if she were entering a boxing ring.

“I think it’s very personal,” Azarenka said of her attitude on court. “You really have to find the way for yourself, how to take the step for winning. It’s, I think, a long way to really find that momentum that makes you in the moment when you need to be pumped up, and the moment when you need to come down. So I think it’s important to learn your body, to learn your body language, and everything.

“For the young players, I would say you really have to pay attention to how you feel. You don’t have to reject or not accept what you’re feeling—you just have to try to learn how to deal with it.”

In the article, Ben goes on to say that, according to Sam Sumyk, Azarenka’s coach, her on-court attitude has been something they have concentrated on. That however doesn’t help when mind tennis #1 Azarenka pulls out of the Fed Cup with injury.

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Mental Tennis Strength Won the Final at the Australian Open

February 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Mental Tennis Strength Won the Final at the Australian Open. Wikimedia Hopman (cropped)

Mental Tennis Strength Won the Final at the Australian Open for Djokovic. Wikimedia Hopman (cropped)

Patrick Mouratoglou writing on EuroSport.com says that the level of tennis played by Nadal and Djokovic in the Australian Open final was not great tennis, even the tennis played by the winner Djokovic. But he believes that mental tennis strength won the final at the Australian Open.

Mental Tennis Strength Won the Final at the Australian Open

Novak has sent a clear message to all the players: he’s still the boss. The level of fitness he displays, his mental strength and determination to win should give his rivals something to think about. This match is proof that someone can win a Grand Slam final without playing amazing tennis – but through sheer effort….

What should Rafa remember from this encounter? That it was won by the more aggressive, creative and dictating player.

Quotes in previous post I have made mentioned the fact that Nadal said he learned a lot from the marathon contest he played against Djokovic. Let’s hope so; it will make 2012 a more interesting year. The rest of the article can be found here.

You can put mental strength and determination to work for you, in your tennis game, or whatever you want to succeed at in life. Just click here to learn more.

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Djokovic at the Top of His Mind Tennis Game

February 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Djokovic at the Top of His Mind Tennis Game. Wikimedia Commons by Eklektekuria

After winning the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic has let it be known that competing in the Olympic Games and in the French Open are his top priorities for the coming year. Djokovic is at the top of his mind tennis game and feels he can win whatever tournament he plays in.  You can read more at Yahoo Sports.

Learn how you can be at the top of your mind tennis game by clicking here.

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Mental Tennis: Nadal Has Changed His Approach to Djokovic

February 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Mental Tennis: Nadal Has Changed His Approach to Djokovic

In researching for this post, I was struck by the number of commentators who are writing about the new Nadal. Acutally it’s the old Nadal making his reappearance. It seems that in 2011 Nadal didn’t have as much fight when it came to playing Djokovic.  Since his loss to Djokovic in the Australian Open final, however, Nadal seems to have turned a corner in his on court relationship to Djokovic. It seems that in mental tennis, Nadal has changed his approach to Djokovic.

Take for instance an article from ESPN.com written by Howard Bryant explaining that it seemed like the match was lost with Nadal down four games to three and 0-40, about to go down 5-3 and likely lose the match in four uneventful sets, when it seemed that Nadal suddenly woke up, that his old fire returned and he showed that he could still beat Djokovic. It remains to be seen however, if Nadal can continue to control those mental demons when he meets Djokovic throughout 2012. Howard Bryant’s article can be found here.

Then there is an article by Bruce Jenkins writing on SI.com giving his opinion that Nadal gained a lot as a result of his loss to Djokovic. He feels that Nadal has the tools, physical skills, and the mental fortitude to beat Djokovic, which he did often prior to 2011.

“The truth is, Nadal did have enough to win this match. He did have the answers. He absorbed every blow from Djokovic, summoned that legendary resolve, and kept fighting. You won’t find him this week on the psychiatrist’s couch,”…. you will probably studying what he did wrong and what he can do to beat Djokovic next time.

One more commentary sharing the belief that the Australian Open final is a sort of watershed moment for Nadal; that he showed he has what it takes to beat Djokovic. Tim Joyce writing in RealClearSports.com feels that Nadal is not far from solving the Djokovic Puzzle, which solution has eluded him in 2011. Until 2011, Nadal beat Djokovic often, and predictions are that the rivalry between the two will ebb and flow with one being dominant for a time and then the other dominating for a time. In the history of tennis, there have been other rivalries of that sort.

But for now, know that in mental tennis, Nadal has changed his approach to Djokovic. To learn how you can put mind tennis to work for you click here.

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Grand Slam Loss Eliminated Mental Tennis Demons For Nadal

January 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Grand Slam Loss Eliminated Mental Tennis Demons For Nadal. Wikimedia Commons by Christopher Johnson

The long, protracted final between Nadal and Djokovic in the Australian Open has eliminated the fears and apprehensions that Nadal has in playing Djokovic. Nadal used everything he had in trying to win the final match, but he came up short. However, the Grand Slam Loss Eliminated Mental Tennis Demons For Nadal when playing Djokovic.

Nadal said that this game had freed him from the mental tennis demons that have plagued him, during 2011, while playing Djokovic. GMA News Online reported that Nadal, even though he had lost to Djokovic, felt he played better than before against Djokovic.

Nadal lost the best of seven 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5. It sounds like he should be able to face the rest of the 2012 tennis season with more confidence than he might have otherwise. The complete story from GMA News can be found here. If you are facing any mental tennis demons, click here to find a solution.
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Loss of Mental Tennis and Physical Poise Cost Sharapova The Australian Open

January 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

Loss of Mental Tennis and Physical Poise Cost Sharapova The Australian Open Wikimedia Commons by Machocarioca (crop), Andrew Huse (original) Wikimedia Commons by Machocarioca (crop), Andrew Huse (original)

As you all probably know by now, Maria Sharapova lost the Australian Open, and of course there are probably many opinions as to how that occured. But I think that in the final analysis it all boils down to the loss of mental tennis and physical poise cost Sharapova the Australian Open. After all if you can’t stand up mentally to an opponent’s game, your game just naturally falls apart; you can mount even less of a defense then you could if your mental game was intact.

Geoff MacDonald writing in the New York Times Tennis Blog gave his thoughts about the contest in a way I never thought of previously.

Victoria Azarenka thoroughly outplayed Maria Sharapova in Saturday’s Australian Open final. The spirited Azarkena had superior hands, better footwork and near-perfect shot selection as she withstood Sharapova’s blistering pace with astonishing ease. How did Azarenka handle Sharapova’s big game? And why did Sharapova struggle when Azarenka attacked?

The answer lies in the different way each player receives the ball on contact. Azarenka hits with her hands and wrists supple and pliant; Sharapova hits with a stiffer point of contact. Azarenka’s flexible hands allow her to accelerate her racket at the approaching ball and create topspin. Sharapova, by contrast, hits a flatter ball that has less margin for error. When she can dictate to a lesser opponent, the Sharapova blitzkrieg is a sight to behold, but she struggles when faced with an opponent who can handle her power. Petra Kvitova in the Wimbledon final and Azarenka in the Australian final exposed the chief problem of Sharapova’s game: she lacks the tactical flexibility to adapt when she is losing.

The difference in their approaches to hitting a tennis ball was described by Bill Tilden in the first paragraph of his timeless classic, “Match Play and the Spin of the Ball.” Tilden begins the chapter with a subtitle, “The ball as a separate entity.”

He writes: “Most tennis players look upon the ball that is used as merely something to hit. It is not an individual, separate factor in their play, like their opponent. They use it as a means to an end. Let me suggest the ball for a moment as an individual. It is a third party in the match. Will this third party be on your side or against you? It is up to you.”

Azarenka broke down Sharapova’s game with her superior reception of the ball, allowing her to apply enough topspin to control it while maintaining pace and length. Sharapova seems to see the ball as an object to hit forcefully. Azarenka’s more resilient, creative approach to hitting the ball allows her more tactical options and gives her the ability to break down Sharapova’s one-dimensional power game.

Azarenka did hit 14 winners, but she won so easily by forcing errors from Sharapova. Again, Azarenka’s use of spin enabled her to hold her ground on the baseline and swing with fast racket head speed as she redirected Sharapova’s pace with enough topspin to control the ball. This overwhelmed Sharapova, as she rarely faces an opponent who can go from neutral to offense with one shot. She looked crestfallen as the errors mounted and a Grand Slam victory slipped way. Azarenka had broken down Sharapova’s powerful game.

In Tilden’s book, that is a player’s main aim in a match.

“I may sound unsporting when I claim that the primary object of tennis is to break up your opponent’s game,” he writes, “but it is my honest belief that no player is defeated until his game is crushed, or at least weakened. Nothing so upsets a player’s mental and physical poise as to be continually led into error.”

“It is with a view not only to your own stroke but to the effect on your opponent,” he continues, “that leads me to say, ‘Never make any stroke without imparting a conscious, deliberate and intentional spin to the ball.’ ”

Being able to have enough presence of mind to control the ball the way Bill Tilden describes in his book requires a lot of mental concentration. For some reason, loss of mental tennis and physical poise cost Sharapova the Australian Open. She lost control of the game. For the rest of the blog post click here. But if you want to learn techniques for maintaining mental control of your game, click here.

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Djokovic Beats Nadal Winning the Mental Match in Tennis Australian Open

January 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Today, Leo Schlink reported in the Herald Sun, that Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal to clinch the title to the 100th Australian Open in the longest Grand Slam in history. It took 5 hours and 53 minutes for Djokovik to win. The match was so long that both players were mentally and physically exhausted at the end, but Djokovic Beat Nadal Winning the Mental Match in Tennis Australian Open.

Djokovic had played a long semi-final match against Andy Murray on Friday night that lasted more than 4 hours. But he was able to muster enough energy and mental fortitude to eventually pull out a win against Nadal in his final match.

Djokovic Beats Nadal Winning the Mental Match in Tennis Australian Open

Condemning Rafael Nadal to a record third consecutive major final loss, exhausted Djokovic posted a 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 Australian Open triumph – a victory for the ages.

On rubbery legs and fighting mental and physical exhaustion, Djokovic clambered off the canvas from 2-4 down in the fifth set to do it.

Fittingly, the 100th Australian men’s final was the longest in Grand Slam history at 5 hrs 53 mins.

Defending champion Djokovic’s third Melbourne Park title – and fifth major overall – was sealed at 1.37am local time.

It will live with with the Serb forever, such was its epic nature.

With nothing more to give in the final game of the match, Djokovic crossed himself and glanced skywards after saving a break point.

He did so again on the following point after earning match point.

Djokovic slumped to the court in relief and elation and Nadal trudged towards the net after missing a forehand.

It was only the third decider to go the distance at Melbourne Park after Pat Cash and Mats Wilander (1988) and Nadal and Roger Federer (2009).

Djokovic, 24, has now beaten Nadal seven times in a row – and in each of the past three Grand Slam deciders at Wimbledon, US Open and the Australian.

The Serb relentlessly pounded Nadal’s second serve to expose gaping holes in the Spaniard’s defence to land his fifth major, joining Andre Agassi. Roger Federer and Mats Wilander as the only men to win three or more Australian crowns since 1968.

In much the same way Nadal relishes his stroke-for-stroke match-up with Federer, Djokovic exerts a similar thrall over Nadal.

The critical difference last night was the second serve. Djokovic operated at 64 percent. Nadal landed 45 percent.

It was a similar scenario at Wimbledon and the US Open.

In becoming only the fourth male since Rod Laver in 1969 to claim three consecutive majors – Pete Sampras, Federer and Nadal are the others – Djokovic proved again he is clearly the sport’s premier player.

Supposedly exhausted after a protracted semi-final against Andy Murray on Friday night, he overcame a sluggish start in sultry conditions to have Nadal on the ropes deep into the fourth set.

Holding three break points for a 5-3 lead, Djokovic could not capitalise as the Spaniard steamed back into the contest.

And when Nadal held a commanding 4-2 lead in the deciding set, Djokovic somehow summoned the nerve and energy to draw back on terms.

He made the title-sealing inroad in the 11th game, when Nadal netted a weary backhand to earn the right to serve out the match.

For most of the contest, he was superior in defence and attack, mentally besting Nadal to inflict another serious pyschological wound on his arch-rival.

In the end, it was a dogfight.

 Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic
Djokovik Beats Nadal Winning the Mental Match in Tennis Australian Open. Novak Djokovic rips his shirt off after winning the Australian Open final after an epic five-set clash against Rafael Nadal. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Djokovic emerged with a $2.3million winner’s cheque and the satisfaction of overcoming three sizeable obstacles – having 24 hours less to recover from that mammoth semi-final, giving up a first-set lead in the final and coming back from the dead in the deciding set.

Dipping into bottomless reserves after appearing to be spent after narrowly accounting for Murray on Friday night, Djokovic out-ran and outlasted the owner of 10 majors.

If it wasn’t Djokovic’s cleanest or most dazzling display, it ranks as his bravest.

What an exciting match be at, however, as one writer has said the final is over, but the year is just beginning. Maybe Djokovic Beating Nadal, Winning the Mental Match in Tennis Australian Open is just the beginning of a great year in tennis. To see the rest of the article by Leo Sclink, click here. To learn how you can make your thoughts have the winning difference for you, click here.

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Victoria Azarenka Stuns Maria Sharapova with her Mind Tennis and Skill

January 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Today, Victoria Azarenka Stunned Maria Sharapova with her mind tennis and skill. Many commenators were unable or unwilling to make a prediction of the outcome of the Azarenka vs Sharapova match that would decide the number one womens player in the world.

But, Azarenkas victory over Sharapova today left no doubt in any one’s mind regarding who should be womens #1. Valkerie Baynes whose story is reported the the Herald Sun, said that 22 year old Azarenka from Belarusian won her first major final today with her nerves under control winning in two games 6-3 6-0. As you can see Sharapova just could not keep up with Azarenkas’ game.

Victoria Azarenka Stuns Maria Sharapova with her Mind Tennis and Skill

Azarenka

Victoria Azarenka Stuns Maria Sharapova with her Mind Tennis and Skill. Azarenka shows off her trophy. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: News Limited

 

VICTORIA Azarenka dropped to her knees and touched her head to the ground, then rose as the world’s new No.1 with a shrug and a look of disbelief.

Azarenka’s stunning 6-3 6-0 victory over Maria Sharapova to claim the Australian Open crown – her maiden grand slam title – propelled the Belarussian to the top of the rankings.

It did not take long for her look of confusion to turn to a broad grin.

“Wow,” she beamed before her voice began to crack.

“I would like to thank my team – you guys have been supporting me for so long and believing in me, and it made me realise that I can believe in myself and I can finally raise this trophy.

“I want to thank my parents, who are watching for sure now, my friends, my boyfriend and my grandmother, the person who inspires me the most in my life.

“I had an amazing month in Australia and it’s a dream come true.”

It was the first time since Serena Williams defeated Dinara Safina to win the 2009 Australian Open that the No.1 ranking was decided by the outcome of a grand slam final.

Azarenka hit the top for the first time in her career from No.3, while Petra Kvitova stayed at No.2, Sharapova moved up one place to No.3 and Caroline Wozniacki – who lost the No.1 spot with her quarter-final defeat to Kim Clijsters – slid to fourth.

Had Sharapova won, she would have returned to the top spot she took for the first time in 2005 and last held in 2008 before a shoulder problem kept her out of the game for nearly 10 months.

Projections for the new rankings released tomorrow have Australia’s Sam Stosur remaining at No.5.

Agnieszka Radwanska, who lost to Azarenka in the quarter-finals, moves to a career-high No.6. Last year’s Australian Open runner-up Li Na drops from sixth to ninth and Andrea Petkovic, who missed this year’s tournament with a back injury, stays in 10th.

Sharapova was gracious in defeat.

“The first congratulations go to Victoria – it is an honour to play against you, you’ve earned this title, you’ve worked so hard for it over the years,” she said.

“It’s a real honour to have your name on that trophy, congratulations and cherish it for as long as you can.”

Azarenka and Sharapova went into the match having played each other six times, splitting the wins 3-3, although the Belarussian had won each of the two finals they had played, both on hardcourt, in 2010 and 2011.

After conceding a 0-2 lead, Azarenka pulled back to 2-2.

She became highly aggressive on Sharapova’s serve in the eighth game, coming into the net to apply more pressure and making the crucial break with a great backhand drop shot followed up with a sharp backhand volley.

Serving out the next game, Azarenka converted her first of two set points.

The 22-year-old continued to play the better tennis in the second set, even in the face of some nervy moments early on.

Sharapova persisted with her tactic of pounding the ball back over the net hard and flat, while Azarenka kept changing her game up to completely dominate and confound her opponent.

Victoria Azarenka Stuns Maria Sharapova with her Mind Tennis and Skill. What a satisfying end to the Australian Open for Victoria Azarenka! She has worked hard for years to get to this point in her career. The rest of the article can be found here. Learn how you can get results similar to Victoria Azarenka using mental tennis in your game, by clicking here.

 

 

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For Azarenka: Mental Tennis Was Key to Her Win

January 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

For Azarenka: Mental Tennis Was Key To Win. Wikimedia Commons by Assaf YekuelVictoria Azarenka defeated defending Australian Open Women's Champion Kim Clijsters in the first set of their match up 6-4. But then Clijisters came handed Azarenka a 6-1 defeat in the next set. This of course forced a deciding set. Azarenka came back from the defeat of that set to beat Clijsters 6-3. For Azarenka: Mental Tennis Was Key to Her Win.

Commenting afterwards, Azarenka said that Clijsters really dominated the second set. She said she felt like she was running a marathon. SkySports.com, reporting on the match, quoted her as saying, “I have one more set to go. I have another, I don’t know, hour, 30 minutes, 40 minutes to make a difference. That was my mental approach.”

Now if Azarenka beats Maria Sharapova in their match up, Victoria Azarenka would be the top women’s player at age 22.

 

For Azarenka: Mental Tennis Was Key to Her Win

Victoria Azarenka believes her improved mental approach was what saw her to victory against defending champion Kim Clijsters in the semi-final of the Australian Open.

The Belarusian took the first set of the match 6-4 before she stumbled in the second as veteran Clijsters raced through it 6-1 to force a decider.

But Azarenka managed turn the match around once again, taking the final-set 6-3 to reach her maiden grand slam final.

“She was really dominating (in the second set),” said Azarenka. “She made me run so much, I felt I was running a marathon out there.

“I just tried to start to be more aggressive and tried to play my game and, yeah, start from the beginning.

Emotional

“I have one more set to go. I have another, I don’t know, hour, 30 minutes, 40 minutes to make a difference. That was my mental approach.

“Before, I think you all thought I was a mental case but I was just young and emotional.

“But I’m really glad the way I fought. That’s the thing I’m most proud of, I fought for every ball.”

And should Azarenka, 22, go on to beat Maria Sharapova in the final on Saturday, she would also become the new world number one.

Desire

“I really want it bad, you know,” she said. “It was difficult to get back in the match, to keep fighting, keep going.

“But that’s what it’s all about. It’s all worth it.”

Azarenka remained mature following the emotional rollercoaster and understands there is still work to do before the celebrations can begin.

“I’m still in the tournament so I have my mind still in the tournament,” she admitted. “You know, today was not the end.

“I have one more match to go. I have to stay humble and stay focused.”

 

It remains to be seen how well Azarenka continues to do in the Australian Open.  If she can pull of a win against Sharapova, it will be the first grand slam for Azarenka.

For Azarenka, however, mental tennis was key to her win over Clijsters and may well be the key to her win over Sharapova. Click here to read the article on SkySports.com.

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