Control the Controllables 

By Darcy Rabenda, Head Pro – Advantage Tennis Center

This past weekend, I had the privilege of sitting down with our junior players for a talk on mental resilience, sleep, nutrition, and injury prevention. It was one of those conversations that starts out aimed at kids and ends up being just as much for the adults in the room, or in this case, for all of us out on the courts. 

The topic? Focus on what you can control. Simple idea. Incredibly hard to do when you’re down a set, double-faulting, or watching your opponent rip winner after winner. But here’s the thing, it might be the single most important skill in tennis, and it has nothing to do with your forehand. 

What’s Actually in Your Control? 

I asked the juniors to call out things they can’t control during a match. The list came fast: the wind, a bad bounce, the opponent’s level, a linesman’s call, the score. Then I flipped it, what can you control? 

The answers were quieter, more thoughtful: your effort, your attitude between points, how you breathe, whether you give up. That’s the whole game right there. The players who understand this, at any age, any level, are the ones who compete the hardest and improve the fastest. 

The Scoreboard Lies (Sometimes) 

One of the thing you must remember and I truly believe this, is that the score is just information. It tells you where you are, not where you’re going. I’ve seen 5–2 leads evaporate and 0–5 deficits turn into wins, all because one player kept their head in the present and the other started living in the future. 

Next time you’re in a tough spot in a match, try this: take a breath, bounce on your feet, and ask yourself one question, “What do I want to do on this next point?” Not the last one. Not the set. Just this point. That’s focusing on what you can control. 

It’s a Habit, Not a Talent 

The best part about mental resilience is that it’s trainable. You don’t have to be born with nerves of steel. You build them, one match, one practice, one tough moment at a time. That’s what I told our juniors, and it’s what I try to incorporate into every lesson and clinic this season. 

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned club player, the mental side of tennis is where the biggest gains are hiding. It doesn’t require a single extra hour of drilling. 

See you on the courts and remember, control the controllables. 

— Darcy Rabenda, Head Pro