White Columns & Atlanta National Newsletter September 2015 May 2014 | Page 15

Tennis News
Tennis Tip from Amy at White Columns:
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS TO BOOST YOUR TENNIS GAME THIS SEASON
The weather is finally starting to get beautiful and many tennis players
are stepping back onto the tennis courts. Here are some solutions to
some common problems that can help boost your game this season.
How do I prevent myself from getting too nervous when I play?
How can I perform better under pressure?
Have you ever been up 5-2, 5-3 and suddenly find yourself tied
at 5-5 or losing the set 7-5? If you have been playing tennis for a
couple seasons or more, the answer to almost any player is, yes!
Let’s examine why. What happens when you are down? Easy, you
relax. There is nothing for you to lose, heck, you are almost out of
the match already, so you lighten up and relax. All the sudden, your
game is much better and your shots are working. What happens
when you are leading a match, is often times, the opposite. Instead
of lightening up, you tighten up. Your mind becomes focused on
the result, winning or losing, and now you are feeling a new sense
of pressure, even though rationally, you are up by a big margin.
The key is to train your mind to focus on the present moment and
never the outcome, winning or losing. When you focus your mind in
the present moment, your body will relax, and when you relax you
can overcome your nerves and play at your best in the midst of a
pressure filled match.
What is the best way to play doubles: both up?
One up and one back? Or both back?
The answer is all three. You have to find the right solution to each
new “problem”. Your problem to figure out, is your opponents! Just
as all math equations do not have the same solutions, nor do all of
your tennis matches. Your solution is dependent on the problem that
you are trying to solve! Use all three formations at varying times!
What are some quick, easy tips I can use in my matches?
•  tart your matches REALLY consistent and see if your opponents
S
will “beat themselves”
• Focus on placement over power
•  se short drop volleys and slices, most people are not as good at
U
moving up and back as they are laterally across the court
• When in doubt, LOB!
•  on’t worry about your competition, let your competition worry
D
about you
Amy Pazahanick, Director of Tennis: White Columns Country Club

WC Summer
USTA & Mixed
Team Tennis
Sign Ups
USTA THURSDAY LADIES
Deadline to Join: May 6
Play starts May 29 at 9:00am
USTA SUNDAY LADIES
Deadline to Join: May 6
Play starts June 1 at 12:00pm
USTA MEN
Deadline to Join: May 6
Play starts 1st at 4:00pm
(Sundays)

REMINDER…We use www.
reservemycourt.com for our
online court reservations. You
must log in and create your
own secured password. The
WCCC facility number is 270.
As always, good luck and
have fun in your upcoming
matches.