Playing a huge match
Video Box: Playing a Huge Match
Frequency/Intensity/Level of Concern
Emotions Triggered:
These emotions arise because tennis is personal—there are no teammates to hide behind, no substitutions, no timeouts. You are exposed. That vulnerability is what makes the emotions so strong—and why developing emotional intelligence is essential. You can't eliminate strong emotional responses to break-through situations, we are not robots. But we can learn to harness their energy rather than being controlled by them.
The Emotions of a Huge Match
A high-stakes match evokes a cocktail of emotions:
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Excitement – for the chance to prove yourself.
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Anxiety – because the stakes feel magnified.
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Fear – of failure, embarrassment, or letting others down.
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Hope – that your preparation pays off.
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Pride – in reaching this moment.
Awareness
The first step in emotional intelligence is recognizing what’s happening inside you. A huge match is going to stir your system—your heart rate rises, your breathing quickens, your mind races ahead. You are the opposite of relaxed and a long way from Flow. You will engage with strong emotions; fear of failure, excitement at the opportunity, crippling self-doubt, or a surge of confidence and belief that today is your day.. Instead of pushing these feelings away, name them. Awareness turns vague tension into something you can work with. “I feel anxious.” “I feel energized.” “I feel ready.” Naming emotions gives you a sense of control and helps you separate yourself from them—they’re signals, not definitions of who you are.
Regulation
Once you’ve identified what’s happening, the next step is management. Big matches bring spikes of emotion, but regulation is not about shutting them down—it’s about channeling them. Breathing techniques, between-point rituals, positive self-talk, and body language are all tools to keep your system balanced. A clenched jaw can be softened. A wandering mind can be brought back by your mindfulness rituals. In pressure moments, emotional regulation is the bridge between chaos and composure. It keeps you steady enough to execute when your nerves may be conspiring against you.
Perspective
Perspective anchors your match experience in something larger than the result. A huge match feels amplified, like it’s the end-all—but with perspective training, you see it as one chapter in a much longer story. Win or lose, this match is an opportunity to test your training on every level, to learn about yourself and carry forward the lessons learned. Perspective reminds you that there can be only one winner and the result is often out of your control. With perspective, pressure transforms from a threat to a privilege. You remind yourself: “I get to be here. I get to compete. I earned this stage with years of hard work. Honor that work with your best effort!
Growth
Every huge match carries the potential to move you forward. Regardless of the outcome, you will learn about your strengths, your limits, and how you responded emotionally in your biggest moments. Growth happens when you reflect after the match: What worked? Where did I wobble? How did I manage my emotions? Growth transforms all the stress of a huge match into motivation for the next huge match in your career. And I say next, for there will be more. Through growth, the huge matches aren't just about today—it’s about developing into the best player you can be for all future huge matches.
Video Box at bottom for pro player cameo
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