How our inner dialogue shapes our tennis game

Welcome to today’s special interview on “The Power of Our Thoughts: How Our Inner Dialogue Shapes Our Tennis Game.”

Bane Bradonic, a renowned PTCA Master Professional, psychologist and mental performance specialist, has helped countless players reach their true potential by mastering the mental aspects of the game.

This is the first of 2 articles. The next one will follow tomorrow – don’t miss it. Great players have learned how to stay on track for a long time – have you?

Hakan Dahlbo: Let’s start with the core of this topic.

How important is the role of our thoughts on the tennis court in determining our performance?

Bane Bradonic: Our thoughts are incredibly powerful, Hakan. They shape not only our performance, but also how we see ourselves and our potential.

When we step onto the field, our inner dialogue can either empower us to play our best, or it can undermine our confidence and effectiveness. A single negative thought can create a domino effect, leading to feelings of doubt or fear, which then affect our physical actions.

Conversely, positive self-talk can boost our self-confidence and help us play more freely and aggressively.

Hakan Dahlbo: Many players experience negative self-talk, especially under pressure. Why do we so often fall into these negative thought patterns?

Bane Bradonic: Negative self-talk is often rooted in our past experiences and the beliefs we have developed over time.

For many players, these patterns are ingrained from a young age, perhaps from previous failures or critical feedback. When faced with high-pressure situations, the subconscious recalls these previous experiences, triggering negative thoughts like, “I’m going to miss this shot” or “I always fail at these moments.” It’s a defense mechanism, but one that’s ultimately counterproductive because it sets us up for the failure we fear.

Hakan Dahlbo: It seems like this is a cycle that is difficult to break.

How can players change this pattern and promote a more positive inner dialogue?

Bane Bradonic: Breaking this cycle starts with awareness. Players need to recognize when they are engaging in negative self-talk and understand how it is affecting their performance.

From there, they can begin to challenge these thoughts. Is it really true that you always fail under pressure? Probably not. It’s important to reframe these thoughts into something more positive, like “I’ve handled pressure well before, I can do it again.”

This doesn’t happen overnight, but with regular practice, players can change their mindset from a self-destructive mindset to one that makes them stronger.

Hakan Dahlbo: You talked about the subconscious and its influence on our behavior.

Can you tell us more about the interaction between the conscious and subconscious during a match?

Bane Bradonic: Absolutely. Think of the conscious mind as the player being aware of the game, making decisions and adjusting strategies.

It is intentional and reflective. The subconscious mind, on the other hand, is like an autopilot: it controls the habits and learned behaviors that come automatically, such as your swing or your reaction to a fast serve.

The challenge comes when your subconscious mind is filled with negative patterns, perhaps from past experiences. Even when your conscious mind wants to change, the subconscious mind can pull you back into old, unhelpful habits.

To improve this, it is crucial to align these two aspects of the mind so that your automatic responses are as positive and supportive as your conscious intentions.

Hakan Dahlbo: That makes sense. But how can a player reprogram his subconscious to better support his game?

Bane Bradonic: Reprogramming the subconscious mind is a gradual process of repetition and reinforcement.

Visualization is a powerful tool: by regularly imagining yourself performing well under pressure, you create a positive blueprint in your subconscious. Affirmations are another effective method. Repeating statements such as “I am confident and calm under pressure” can help to slowly overwrite the negative beliefs stored in the subconscious.

It’s like training your mind the same way you train your body: with consistent effort you can learn new, positive habits.

Hakan Dahlbo: So it’s really about creating a new mental routine?

Bane Bradonic: Exactly.

Just as you practice your forehand or your serve until it becomes second nature, you need to practice positive thinking and mental toughness until it becomes your default mode. The more you practice this, the more your subconscious will pick up on these positive patterns and integrate them into your automatic responses on the court.

Hakan Dahlbo: That’s fascinating.

How do our thoughts and beliefs influence the way we perceive and respond to situations during a match?

Bane Bradonic: Our thoughts and beliefs act as filters through which we interpret everything that happens on the field.

If you believe that you are no good at the third set, you will start to see every little mistake you make as a confirmation of that belief. This can create a downward spiral, where your focus shifts more and more to the negative, reinforcing that belief.

On the other hand, if you believe that you are strong in the third set, you will focus on the positive aspects of your game, such as how you have come back from behind before. This belief will help you stay calm and confident, which is crucial to performing well under pressure.

Hakan Dahlbo: It is clear that mastering the mental side of the game is just as important as the physical one.

What advice would you give to players who want to start improving their mental game today?

Bane Bradonic: My advice would be to start small and be patient with yourself. Start monitoring your inner dialogue, especially in challenging situations.

When you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts, pause and reframe those thoughts. Use visualization techniques for competitions to practice mental success. Incorporate positive affirmations into your daily routine. And most importantly, be consistent.

Just like physical training, mental training requires regular practice to see real results. Over time, you will find that you not only feel more confident on the court, but your performance improves as well.

Hakan Dahlbo: That’s excellent advice, Bane.

Thank you for sharing your insights today. I am sure our readers will find this discussion incredibly valuable as they work to master both the physical and mental aspects of tennis.

Bane Bradonic: Thank you Hakan. It was a pleasure discussing this with you and I hope it inspires players to take control of their mental game and unlock their full potential.

Hakan Dahlbo: That will definitely happen.

Thanks again, Bane, and good luck to all of our readers as they take these lessons to heart and improve their tennis game from the inside out. Don’t miss the follow-up article tomorrow!