Tennis matches are often won by the player who performs best under pressure. How do top coaches instruct players to perform their best in the biggest moments?
Interview By CHRIS ODDO
Johan Kriek: Stick to what works, concentrate strictly on what you want to accomplish and do not waver.
Performing better under pressure is a “learned” experience. The “now or never” situation is an uncomfortable situation, but I always grinned to myself before I played my best tennis under pressure. Having an 18-4 winning record in five-set matches, I can very well relate to that situation. It is a “must” to not rush things. Stick to what has worked before, focus strictly on what you want to accomplish and then do not waver.
I would rather go out “guns blazing” in tight situations, meaning, I will always play aggressively no matter what. I won a lot more matches being super aggressive with great execution than playing “not to lose.” Classic example of the situation, 2011 Sony Ericsson final: Nadal double faulted at 2-all in third set tiebreaker to Novak. Novak smelled an opportunity then played to win. And he did.
Jeff Salzenstein: Focus on performance goals instead of results.
One of the most important keys to winning under pressure is to focus on performance goals instead of results. Too often players play worse under pressure because they want to win too badly. These players are trying too hard and thinking too much about how they can win a point or a particular match.
The real key to playing great tennis under intense pressure is to have a specific objective for each point. Having “mini goals” for each point helps to keep players in the present when they are in a tight situation, instead of focusing on winning a point, game or match.
For example, a player may set a goal of attacking the backhand side of their opponent. Instead of trying to win the point, the goal is to attack the backhand because that will give the player the best chance to win the point. Another example could be to demonstrate a simple swing philosophy on a given point like keeping the hands and arms relaxed on every shot. Setting tangible, clear goals instead of focusing on winning and losing a point is one of the secrets to playing awesome under pressure.
Gilad Bloom: Practice “big point” match situations to get comfortable with intense moments.
Every player is different under pressure, some become tight, some become too defensive and some become impatient. As a coach, I try to prepare each player individually according to their tendencies. For example, when I was a young player I used to play too careful and passive on big points, and it cost me some big matches. I worked on it with my coach, and I told myself during the big points to make an effort to be more aggressive, initiate and put pressure on my opponent. When I did and it worked it gave me the confidence to keep doing it. The key was to be aware of my mistakes and have the discipline to execute the game plan even if it occasionally fails. With some of my junior players, many times when they are in tight situations they will play too fast or make wrong decisions. With them I try to work on taking a few breaths before the point and be- ing aware that this is “crunch time,” and they need to take their time and play a smart point, not rush. During practice I create “big point” situations, and let the kids play it out. They need to learn that certain points need to be played with more intensity; most close matches come down to a handful of these points.
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Johan Kriek is a two-time Australian Open Champion and former ATP No. 7 in the world. The Only South African to hold a Grand Slam title, Kriek currently runs the Johan Kriek Tennis Academy of Roanoke, Virginia.
Jeff Salzenstein is a former ATP top 100 player, a USPTA High Performance Coach and licensed nutritional therapy practitioner.
Gilad Bloom played on the ATP Tour for 13 years, reached a career-high rank- ing of No. 61 and is currently the Director of Tennis at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy in New York.
