Using Visualization Skills to Better Your Game During COVID-19
By Adam Lee Visualization is arguably the most important factor in the mental approach to tennis. The current situation we are facing with the COVID-19 pandemic gives us an opportunity to turn within and hone our craft through improving mental acuity with certain visualization techniques. Strong visualization skills allow players to run scenarios in their heads, getting an edge on the court through meditation, imagery, and interval training off the court. Meditation is a technique used by many athletes who want to train their mind. An athlete meditates in order to find a state of consciousness to focus only on what is necessary for that period of time with undivided attention. Current world number one and 17-time Grand Slam Champion Novak Djokovic is known throughout the tennis world for his 32
rigorous routines and preparation, which involves meditation, diet and yoga. Meditation improves an athlete’s ability to focus, sharpen concentration and awareness, while releasing negative energy that could poorly impact performance. In a 2019 article from Psychology Today, called “How to Practice Mindfulness Meditation”, Djokovic is quoted as saying, “One of the ways is to kind of meditate but not meditate with the intention of going away from those problems, but visualize.” Doing so, he is able to reflect upon his self and obtain the mental clarity needed to overcome any hurdles he may be facing. Meditation requires significant brain power and many young athletes have not yet developed a sufficient degree of control and willpower to fully incorporate mediation into their program. That said, the sooner meditation is started as part of a young player’s
Long Island Tennis Magazine • July/August 2020 • LITennisMag.com
routine, the better, as it may not have an immediate impact, but will certainly pay huge dividends on a competitive level down the line. During COVID-19, I have spent much of my time researching and watching webinars, with one in particular being “Building Character and the USTA Teaching & Coaching Philosophy.” One topic in particular discussed was how players can gain so much knowledge and confidence by using a visualization skill such as imagery, which will help players absorb information through the demonstration of others. Just by watching another compete can offer you so much information, allowing the otherwise new skill to feel more familiar, translating into a more confident attitude. Juniors can use imagery in their homes as a way to visualize and connect with the idea of competing. Watching others compete can give these players a better sense of what a
