Mental Preparation in Professional Tennis: A Qualitative Study of Czech Players' Experiences
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Published on: June 16, 2021
Vendula Redlichová1, Jana Novotná1, Martin Komarc1
1Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, José Martího 269/31, 162 52 Prague, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
Psychological preparation is increasingly recognized as an important component of athletic performance; however, comparatively little is known about how professional tennis players experience psychological preparation throughout their careers. This qualitative study explored the experiences and subjective interpretations of psychological preparation among Czech professional tennis players. Eight players aged 17-26 years and ranked between 145 and 719 in the ATP/WTA singles rankings were purposively recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Czech and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis informed by an experiential and phenomenological orientation. Three themes and seven subthemes were generated: (1) Psychological Preparation Is Valued but Rarely Fully Embraced; (2) Finding and Regaining Psychological Control During Competition; and (3) Managing the Psychological Demands of Professional Tennis. Participants described psychological preparation as important but frequently informal, individually driven, and inconsistently integrated into their development. Personal readiness, confidence, perceived momentum, emotion regulation, pre-match routines, and reflection on competitive outcomes were important aspects of their experiences. Participants also described substantial psychological strain, while social support, broader life perspectives, and personally developed coping strategies supported adaptation to professional tennis. The findings suggest potential value in providing individualized, context-sensitive psychological support and more systematically integrating psychological preparation within professional tennis environments.
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