How to Build Confidence in Your Tennis Game

13 July 2025

Let’s face it—tennis is as much a mental game as it is physical. Ever stepped on the court with your racquet in hand and felt like your brain forgot how to function? Maybe you nailed every forehand in practice, but under the pressure of a real match, suddenly your confidence crumbles like a cookie in milk. Yep, been there.

Confidence isn't just for the pros who grunt like lions and serve like machines. You can build it too, step by step. Whether you're a weekend warrior, a club player, or someone who accidentally joined a tennis league thinking it was a table tennis group (no shame), this guide is for you.

Let’s break down how to build confidence in your tennis game—without needing a sports psychologist or a fairy godcoach.

1. 🧠 Understand That Confidence Is a Skill (Like a Kick Serve)

A lot of people think confidence is something you’re born with, like curly hair or a fear of spiders. But here’s the truth bomb: confidence is a skill. It's not locked in your DNA. It’s grown, flexed, and earned over time—just like your topspin.

Ever notice how some players walk on court like they own the place, even before hitting a single ball? That’s not arrogance—it’s practiced confidence. They’ve trained their minds just like they trained their footwork. And guess what? You can too.

2. 🎯 Set Small, Achievable Goals

Don’t try to go from double faults to Djokovic-level aces in one week. That’s like trying to bake a five-tier wedding cake when you’ve only ever made toast. Instead, set mini goals. Things like:

- “I’m going to get 7 out of 10 first serves in this set.”
- “No more than 3 unforced errors on backhands today.”
- “I’ll stay calm even if I double fault.”

Each time you meet a small goal, your confidence muscle gets stronger. And those little wins? They add up in a big way.

3. 🎾 Practice Like You Play

You know that friend who crushes everyone in practice and then melts like a snowman in July during a match? Yeah, that’s the difference between being "practice good" and "match good."

When you train, simulate real match conditions. Play points. Keep score. Serve under pressure. Practice your killer forehand when you’re tired, sweaty, and a little cranky—just like in a real match.

Training your brain to deal with pressure in practice makes it less of a meltdown moment during actual games.

4. 🧘‍♂️ Embrace the Nerves (Yes, Seriously)

You know that jittery feeling in your stomach before a match? That’s not your body betraying you. That’s your internal alarm clock screaming, “Hey! This matters!”

Those nerves? They mean you care. Instead of trying to squash them, reframe them. Think of them as fuel, like coffee for your soul (without the caffeine crash). The best athletes in the world get nervous. The trick is—they use it to sharpen their focus, not shake their confidence.

5. 🧍‍♂️ Body Language: Fake It Till You Feel It

Confidence isn’t just in your head—it’s in your posture, your walk, and your eye contact. Want to feel like a top player? Move like one.

Even if you just double-faulted, don’t slump like you dropped your ice cream. Stand tall, chest up, racquet in hand like you mean business. You’d be amazed how changing your body language can trick your brain into feeling more confident.

Seriously, try it. Puff your chest out like a tennis peacock next time you're about to serve.

6. 🔁 Visualize Like You’re Spielberg

Okay, pause. Close your eyes. Imagine you’re serving down match point. You bounce the ball with purpose. You toss. You hit a clean ace down the T. Crowd goes wild (or at least Steve from court 6 claps politely).

Visualization is powerful. Your brain doesn’t always know the difference between real and imagined experience. By visualizing success, you’re programming your mind to believe it’s possible. Do this before matches, before practice, or even while brushing your teeth.

Just... maybe not while driving.

7. 🗣️ Positive Self-Talk—Ditch the Inner Troll

We all have that little voice in our head. Sometimes it’s helpful, like, “Hey, don’t forget your water bottle.” Other times it’s a jerk: “You always miss that shot. Why even try?”

Time to fire that voice and upgrade to a better one. When you mess up, say things like:

- “That’s okay, I’ll get the next one.”
- “Good attempt, let’s tweak the angle next time.”
- “Keep grinding. You’ve got this.”

Positive self-talk isn’t cheesy—it’s champion behavior. If it’s good enough for Serena, it’s good enough for you.

8. 📖 Learn From Every Match (Even the Ones That Crushed Your Soul)

Confidence doesn’t come from winning every match. It comes from learning—even when the scoreboard wasn’t in your favor. After each match, ask yourself:

- What did I do well?
- Where can I improve?
- Did I keep my cool when the pressure hit?

Keep a tennis journal. Seriously. Write it all down. Wins, losses, wins that felt like losses, and lessons that felt like wins. Over time, your game IQ and emotional toughness will shoot through the roof.

9. 🛠️ Strengthen Your Weak Spots Until They’re Weapons

You know those shots that make you slam your racquet or curse in a very creative way? Don’t avoid them—fix them.

Confidence skyrockets when you know your weaknesses aren't liabilities. Need a better second serve? Devote extra reps to it. Struggle with volleys? Start practicing at net until you feel like Federer (okay, his twin cousin at least).

When you’re not afraid of any part of your game, you walk on court feeling bulletproof.

10. 🫂 Surround Yourself With Supportive People (And Maybe Avoid Tennis Snobs)

Confidence is contagious. If you’re constantly playing with people who uplift you, cheer for you, and maybe trash talk you just enough to keep it fun—that helps.

But if you’re around people who constantly criticize, offer unsolicited advice, or act like they’re auditioning for Tennis Channel... you might want to swap doubles partners.

Your tennis tribe should build you up, not beat you down.

11. 🕒 Be Patient—Confidence Takes Time

This might be the hardest pill to swallow. Building confidence isn’t like ordering takeout—you can’t microwave it.

It takes time, effort, consistency, and a few bruised egos. You’ll have breakthroughs and breakdowns. You’ll hit winners and fences. But over time, bit by bit, you’ll get a little stronger, a little smarter, and a whole lot more confident.

12. 🥳 Celebrate Your Progress (Even the Weird Stuff)

Did you finally keep your cool after a bad call? Nailed three solid serves in a row? Refrained from launching your racquet into orbit?

Celebrate. Dance in your kitchen. Text your tennis buddy. Treat yourself to a post-match smoothie the size of your dreams.

Confidence grows when you acknowledge progress—and progress doesn’t always mean trophies.

Final Rally: Confidence Is a Journey, Not a Destination

If you take away one thing from this entire article, let it be this: confidence in tennis isn't about being perfect. It’s about being persistent. It’s about showing up with a belief that, even if today isn’t your best day, tomorrow you’re coming back stronger.

You don’t need to be a tennis god to feel confident. You just need the willingness to grow, learn, and keep swinging.

So go out there. Walk tall. Swing hard. Smile more. And when in doubt, remind yourself: confidence isn't magic—it’s mindset.

Game, set, match.