The Game Inside the Game: Five Licenses Top Tennis Players Have
In my last article, we discussed the secret to sustained peak performance, a principal called “More Than an Athlete: Person First. Athlete Second.” We also clarified that More Than an Athlete doesn’t require working harder, pushing or even pulling, it does require that the athlete, coach or parent shift their perspective so they can see the performer through a wider lens which includes the whole person, not just the athlete.
More Than an Athlete gives the athlete five essential licenses that will help them feel more at ease with themselves as an athlete and as a person. Once they embrace this perspective, the performance becomes more authentic, the game becomes easier and the result shifts exponentially for the better. These licenses are as follows …
1. The license to just be yourself
When we start with you, the person, rather than just the athlete, we take the time to understand what it is that makes you who you are. We look at your attributes, experiences, and values that are the building blocks to your inner game. We look at your “More,” the inner fuel that drives you and doesn’t let you quit. Once you identify these qualities, you are able to bring your authentic self, spirit and story onto the court, and these characteristics will differentiate you from other players. Furthermore, you will feel encouraged and free, valued for being your authentic self (your “More”) rather than trying to be someone you’re not. Imagine Roger Federer trying to become Rafael Nadal? It wouldn’t work!
2. The license to let go
When you recognize you are more than an athlete, you realize the game isn’t “Who you are” but “What you do.” Once you realize this essential fact, you are less apt to tie your self-worth and self-esteem to your results as an athlete. You won’t readily allow the attitudes of others about your results impact you. The process of letting go allows the athlete to unwind, unravel and refocus on what they can control without getting distracted by outside noise.
3. The license to see the entire picture
Most training is focused on technique, talent and skills, with little consideration to the mental game. However, in order for technique, talent and skill to fall into place, the entire picture must be seen, including the mental component. When you have the license to look at the entire picture, rather than just the game, you can view underlying issues which may have previously held you back. Experiences such as a bad day in school, an argument with significant other, trying to live up to expectations can get in the way of performance. It may be as complicated as an injury, personal trauma or past failures. Through the big picture lens, the whole story can be taken into account, not just the “missed shot” that is mistakenly seen as bad technique when an underlying stress is really tightening the body so the technique can’t happen. In Andrew Friedman’s book, Breaking Back, which chronicles former top 10 U.S. tennis player James Blake, he quotes Blake as saying, “If there is something wrong in your life, it’ll show up in your tennis game—not always in predictable ways, but in ways that are logical: Self-belief might be manifested in weak second serves, impatience can cause you to make low percentage gambles and so on.”
4. The license not to be perfect
We all know that being perfect is impossible. Imagine if we stopped trying for perfection, but just tried to do our best? When we know we are “More Than an Athlete,” we understand we are human and therefore imperfect. The expectations of trying to be a superhero is no longer realistic. Now we can focus on one thing at a time: Our process, our choices, how we adapt, and what we can control versus what we cannot.
5. The license to be more and do less
Pushing and pulling isn’t the only option. Letting go, taking a step back to rewind, recharging and rebooting are all also options. Metaphorically, it may feel similar to stepping out of your house in the morning and not being able to see 10 feet in front of you because of a dense layer of fog. Then you take a step back into the house. Twenty minutes later, you return outside to see that the fog has cleared. Only from this perspective of clarity are you able to take the next step. The mind works similarly. So often it’s not about “doing more,” learning another technique, or getting the next great piece of equipment. Rather, it’s about giving yourself a little time and space so you can see clearly. Sometimes, you have to step back to move forward.
With these five licenses comes a more clear and relaxed perspective in which to adapt and adjust to what is happening during competition. From this place, the athlete will be more free to let go of what they cannot control, focus on what they can control, and consistently play their best.
