Very often we find a player who strokes the ball beautifully finishing on the wrong side of the score-board. Some times you will find a player who is technically correct unable to adjust to different environments and conditions. Many a time I have witnessed matches, where the player has a match point or several and somehow cannot closeout the match. On the contrary, you will find players, who may be technically incorrect, pushed to the ropes, facing break points, match point, championship points and still find the way to come out successful in the end.

If you are a player who plays tennis beautifully, can battle conditions and environments, can keep a cool head when the heat is on, then you are the lucky chosen one. If not, don’t despair. You just have to spend more time acquiring technical and competitive skills.

The basic difference between a Performer and a Player is Toughness which is the ability to perform at the upper end of your talent and skill levels regardless of the competitive environment. Mental toughness is the key ingredient to becoming a Performer and it goes without saying that Physical fitness plays a major part in enhancing mental toughness skills. The realization that mental toughness is an acquired skill is critical. Transiting from a player to a performer is a skill that can be learnt and acquired like any other skill that can be acquired thru rote and training.

A true performer understands the meaning of NOW and Stress and Recovery Routines and will use it to good effect. The Performer even if he is not on top his game will find ways to battle adversity. On the contrary a player, if not on top of his game will lose to anybody.

The Performer always looks for momentum, has the ability to shift gears when it matters and waits for opportunities to seize the initiative. The Player does not understand momentum, shift and more significantly the importance of scores.

Opportunities and threats are always present in a match. The Performer will counter the threat and create opportunities. The Player feels the threat and thereby misses opportunities.

The player does not understand body language and simply lets his emotions control his body. The performer on the other hand can summon emotions at will and let his body control his emotions.

The Player finds excuses for losing. The Performer makes no excuses for his performance and will give 100% towards competition.

Given two players with equal technical and physical abilities, it is the one with heart and head who will most certainly win. That in my world is a true performer.