The mental part of the game is both over-rated and under-rated. Bear with me here:
Over-rated: I hear people talking about their mental weaknesses but I see forehand and backhand weaknesses. Guess where the ball will go at crunch time? Yep, your weakest area. So maybe, just maybe the problem might not be mental.
Fans might watch and with an untrained eye to judge, say it is mental, but is could be preparation or footwork. Or forehand or backhand.
Under-rated: I see machines who so well coached it is unbelievable. They can execute forehand and backhand kills with the utmost perfection…….in practice. In a match, not so much. When there is a huge disconnect between practice and competition, it is time to seek the mental focus help an athlete will need.
The great ones do some sort of visualization. I do have access to the best I have ever seen do that. It works.
How to visualize? Google it and you will come across all sorts of mental tricks and hoops to relax yourself and get after the golden prize. The more you prepare for pressure, the better the performance.
So, the mental game is not to be over-rated, but worked on the same as a forehand or backhand. It is a skill that works!
Go visualize Tigers!!