Writings
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Research and interviews
2026.09.30
Ten papers on pressure, attention and the tennis serve
“Reading notes from my September AP Research annotated bibliography: how pressure, anxiety and attention shape what tennis players actually do on court.”
2026.08.30
Seven papers on blink-related oscillations
“Reading notes from my AP Research annotated bibliography: what each paper did, what it found, and why it matters to the paper I'm writing.”
2026.10.21
Nobody is beyond the basics
“Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect, because you can practice something the wrong way.”
2026.09.26
Why I'm asking scientists questions
“I've spent two years writing down what happens in my head before I play. Now I want to ask the people who study it for a living.”
Notebook · 354 pages
2024.03.15
Positivity under pressure
“If I succeed in carrying myself well, stepping in on my backhand, keeping my head up on my serve, and not reverting to pushing when under pressure, I will have a successful match. Win or lose, I will be proud of my effort.”
2024.04.20
Actively dealing with nerves
“Today, I will enjoy fighting the nerves and I will love the struggle.”
2024.04.13
Winning happens by itself
“Winning happens by itself. I simply perform.”
2024.04.21
Take the match, don't hope
“I want to take the match, not hope they give it to me.”
2024.05.18
A plan for nervousness
“I can find comfort in the fact that my nervousness is not unique. Everyone feels it, and I even have a plan to deal with it.”
2024.04.19
A checklist for the tournament
“I need to re-wire my brain to be OK with good misses.”
2024.04.27
Start aggressive and intense
“Finally, I will love the struggle today and I am ready to compete.”
2025.03.01
Not a victim
“I am not a victim at all.”
2024.04.12
Earn the move up
“It isn't good for my tennis to put too much pressure on myself to win, only to compete.”
2024.03.26
Our own journeys
“We are on our own journeys and I only need to focus on how I will make myself a better player than I am now.”
2024.05.11
My own toughest opponent
“I am my own toughest opponent, and I will win the battle within myself.”
2024.03.30
A beautiful day to play
“It is a beautiful day today and I am getting to play the sport that I love. There is no reason to worry or put too much pressure on myself because this is all just part of the process of getting better.”
2024.04.15
Play freely, forget the weekend
“No matter what happens, nothing bad will happen and I will get another chance the next day.”
2024.04.25
Face the backhand
“I am not playing Wimbledon, and this isn't some defining moment in my life.”
2024.03.25
Level-headed, like the pros
“It surprised me how level-headed the players were. They didn't get super positive or super negative. The entire matches, they stayed positive yet focused.”
2024.04.24
Control the inputs
“Finally, I will be excited when problems come my way. Thats when its actually difficult to stay focused.”
2024.04.05
How I write the narrative
“It is in my control how I write the narrative, and how much I fight.”
2025.02.25
No reaction to mind games
“I will recognize that he is doing it on purpose and I won't reward him with a reaction.”
2025.04.18
Take care of the first balls
“Too often, I overplay on shots that aren't there yet.”
2024.08.03
Play freely, don't look at my parents
“Play freely. It is just one match in a tournament that I will forget in a year.”
2024.04.08
Love the battle, not just winning
“I will learn to love the battle and not just winning. Problems are just opportunities to problem-solve.”
2024.04.16
Enjoy the hard things
“I can decide if I want to enjoy difficult things or if I try to stay away and take the easy route.”
2024.05.29
Learn from mistakes the first time
“My coaching voice will remind me that it is okay to make mistakes. It is not okay to not learn from them.”
2024.03.20
Learning to love problems
“Regardless of how I think, I will create this presence and my thinking will follow. I am learning to love problems, to thrive on tough times.”
2024.05.12
Focus on goals, not results
“It is an opportunity to grow and improve, not a test of my value.”
2026.01.06
Bring my 100%
“I will bring my 100% today, as this could be my chance.”
2025.03.15
Every day is a gift
“I will stay positive because every day I am playing is a gift.”
2025.06.08
Grateful even after a loss
“If he can do this after such a difficult match, I can definitely carry myself well on a practice.”
2024.03.18
Effort in the ordinary
“Today, I'll do the ordinary thing extraordinarily well, such as being focused when we are serving or during warmups.”
2025.06.14
Play freely, play smart
“It is a gift to be able to play, so I will be grateful.”
2024.04.09
100%, not 90%
“Even if I would be able to get by with a 90% effort, I owe it to myself to give 100%. If I give my full effort today, I will consider the day a success.”
2024.04.17
Gratitude on a beautiful day
“I will do the ordinary things extraordinarily well as if I was in a tournament and each rally was a point.”
2024.03.27
Missing with the right intentions
“Yesterday, when I was missing balls with the right intentions, I got discouraged. Actually, I should be happy that I am doing what I have been trying to work on and be even more ready to continue doing it.”
2024.05.16
Locked in for one hour
“I am completely able to focus for one hour, and I will be intense the whole time.”
2024.03.28
Not looking at the stands
“My dad is here, and sometimes I can put unnecessary pressure on myself to play better when he is watching me. In reality, he just wants to see me compete, carry myself well, and improve.”
2024.04.01
Tired, and in control
“Since I'm tired, I might be more emotional, so I will use my coaching voice to remind me that results are not important, but it is important of how well I act.”
2024.04.03
The right antidote for each emotion
“I want to practice using the correct antidotes for each emotion. For example, I would need to activate calmness for frustration and anger, but enthusiasm for nervousness and anxiety.”
2024.07.25
Be humble, focus on improving
“I am not Novak Djokovic. I can play anybody and I will learn from the match regardless.”
2025.08.23
Three things in the rain
“Complaining can only hurt me, so I will challenge myself to move on and focus on the next point.”
2024.03.22
Perspective, then fun
“I will remember that no shot, game, set, or match will be the deciding point of my life. Nothing will happen if I don't hit well, so there is no point to being scared.”
2024.07.14
I am my own toughest opponent
“My coaching voice will remind me that I am my own toughest opponent.”
2025.10.11
Intensity in my feet
“I can't rely on just feel to hit the ball. I will need to set myself up in perfect position on every ball to have the best chance at a quality shot.”
2024.06.07
Holes in my game are exciting
“After all, I'm serve and volleying in practice matches, not thirteen in a row at Kalamazoo.”
2024.05.20
Positive emotions are my most powerful state
“My coaching voice will remind me that positive emotions are my most powerful state.”
2024.06.18
Strong effort while rusty and tired
“I will be tired (it is only 4:30 AM in California) so I will have to give a very strong effort today.”
2024.07.01
Don't blame the conditions
“Even though its windy, rainy, and the courts are not good, my opponent has to deal with the same things.”
2024.08.11
Fighting mental fatigue in lessons
“Take breaks when mentally exhausted and then go back with high energy, even if I have to fake it”
2024.07.08
Love solving problems
“My coaching voice will remind me that learning to love solving problems is how you become a great fighter.”
2024.05.31
Learn to love problems
“My coaching voice will remind me that this is how I can learn to love problems. I will face the challenge and not shy away from it.”
2024.06.30
Treat the match like a quiz
“But I still might not win - and that is okay.”
2024.07.15
Learn from mistakes, don't spiral
“The only bad thing that can come out of mistakes is not learning from them.”
2024.06.19
Play my game, not to impress
“If I think about one mistake, more will come.”
2024.05.22
Be a quick starter
“I want to work on starting the drills with high intensity today because I know that what I do in practice will carry over to tournament.”
2024.03.31
The day after
“I will be able to talk with my coach if anything is not working and he will help me fix it. Today, I will be very intense and I will do the ordinary thing extraordinarily well.”
2024.04.26
Intentions over outcomes
“Whether I win or lose has no real effect, but how I play does.”
2024.04.04
Anyone can be positive on a regular day
“This is the time to separate myself and become mentally tough. Anyone can be positive on a regular day. I will work harder today without complaining.”
2026.06.15
Making a good first impression
“Today will be a chance to make a good first impression with my effort and my attitude.”
2025.04.12
Practice with an intention
“While I can keep my intensity high, that is not always going to be effective if I don't have what I want to work on in mind.”
2024.10.18
An obligation to my parents
“I have an obligation to my parents to give my best effort. My mom is driving me four hours this evening for the tournament.”
2025.09.20
Good intentions count as success
“I can't be too hard on myself for not hitting well. As long as I have good intentions on court, I will count today as a success.”
2024.11.16
Not the deciding match of my life
“While I will definitely try my hardest to win, I will not play in fear of losing.”
2024.03.21
Control what you can
“Only rarely do I play amazing, so I should practice how I will deal with playing OK.”
2024.03.23
Prepared for mistakes
“My coaching voice will remind me to do the ordinary things extraordinarily well, to being prepared for mistakes and recognize they are part of the process, and to enjoy playing, as I play my best when I'm having fun.”
2025.02.11
No loose points
“I will not let him into the match by playing any loose points.”
2025.07.27
No loose points
“I want to focus myself before every point and try to keep my lapses in concentration as short as possible.”
2025.09.04
Lessons from the film
“I just remembered that I am actually playing a match and not training, so I also want to focus on making a higher percentage of returns by not being as ambitious and just aiming deep through the middle.”
2024.06.06
What I have is valuable
“I get to play this amazing sport all the time, and many kids wouldn't have this opportunity.”
2024.06.23
Keep pushing in tough times
“I am lucky that the largest struggles I have are playing a sport that I love.”
2024.07.27
No victim mentality
“When I do, I will not go in to a victim mentality. I will remember that I am in control of the drill.”
2025.01.13
Effort has to come from me
“Nobody is going to yell at me or push me if I don't give 100% effort.”
2025.05.29
Pride in staying intense
“I can have fun no matter how tough or how difficult the task that lies before me is.”
2024.03.29
Just another day
“It is a mark of a skilled competitor to respond positively when things turn against us when bad things happen.”
2025.01.18
Four simple tasks
“This tournament means nothing and I will try to stay in the moment and not think about results.”
2025.10.16
Nothing to lose
“I have nothing to lose, and I am not the favorite to win.”
2024.06.09
This is not a job, it's fun
“It is not a burden; I am getting to competitively play the sport I love!”
2024.07.13
Convert frustration into intensity
“I have an obligation to my parents, my coaches, and my future self to persevere through my frustration and to convert that into intensity.”
2024.06.26
Don't fall to the level of surroundings
“I have to work harder than normal, otherwise I will have normal results.”
2025.02.03
Aggressive even with nerves
“I will recognize the nerves and I will remind myself that this is the way that I play my best tennis.”
2025.09.02
Two ideas from the video
“I will be patient with myself if I don't play well today, but I will make sure to keep these two ideas in mind.”
2024.06.05
Gratitude against nerves
“Gratitude might be the biggest key factor to me dealing with my nerves.”
2025.01.25
Stick to my aggressive style
“I would rather lose by playing my style of intense tennis than win by pushing the ball.”
2024.06.24
More than good enough
“I am not just trying to do "good enough". I want to be more than what I need to be.”
2025.06.01
Movement is in my control
“While I might not hit great, my movement is completely within my control.”
2024.04.10
Enjoy the struggle
“Today, I will welcome when things are not fair and still give my best effort.”
2024.04.29
Search for answers
“I cannot simply say that I am playing bad. I have to find out why and try to fix it even if it feels like nothing is working.”
2024.05.28
Tough coaching makes me better
“I will remind myself that this tough attitude will only make me better.”
2024.05.09
A hole in my game
“It is good that I found a big hole in my game because now I can improve it.”
2025.07.17
Every rally like a match point
“One thing that helped me to do this yesterday (while it seems obvious) was just to imagine each rally as a point in a match. It made me run every ball down, move better to attack every ball, and concentrate even harder not to miss.”
2025.10.29
Make him beat me
“These will help me by forcing him to really beat me, instead of beating myself.”
2024.05.06
Enjoying what I don't like
“My coaching voice will remind me that I can enjoy doing things that are difficult or hard and they will get easier.”
2024.05.10
Calm before the tournament
“If I can think only in the context of enjoyment and my intentions, my fear will go away because I am not thinking about things out of my control.”
2024.05.15
Thrive in tough conditions
“I will learn to thrive on tough times and love to solve problems. That is what makes a great fighter”
2025.04.20
Make the new backhand a habit
“I will practice it every day until it becomes habit.”
2025.12.12
Disciplined on his backhand
“Overall, while I will definitely care, I will also try not to beat myself up too much and enjoy this chance I get to play tennis before a difficult finals week.”
2025.06.09
A privilege to play
“Overall, I want to keep my attitude positive regardless of how I hit.”
2024.11.19
Play my game, not to impress
“I will not think too much about trying to impress him. I will play my game and not get upset if everything is not perfect.”
2025.06.06
Normal if it feels weird
“I will continue with it even if it causes errors as I know this is the best way to improve my game.”
2025.07.10
An obligation to stay positive
“I have an obligation to my parents, my coaches, and my future self to carry myself respectfully and stay positive. Today, I will enjoy playing the sport I love.”
2025.09.26
Footwork decides how I play
“I will try to be explosive with my legs, as my intensity of my footwork is usually the thing that determines how well I play.”
2024.05.21
Mistakes are part of growing
“My coaching voice will remind me that I am my own toughest opponent and I am in control over winning the battle with myself.”
2024.05.08
Intensity before results
“Today, I will practice separating results from intensity and intentions.”
2025.05.07
Tennis is a gift
“Tennis is a gift and I should be grateful that I get the opportunity to have that break from studying.”
2024.06.22
They deserve my full effort
“I need to be appreciative of how much everyone is doing to try and help me make my goals possible. They deserve that I give my full effort every single time I play.”
2024.06.25
Intensity, whoever I'm hitting with
“My intensity determines my improvement more than who I'm hitting with.”
2025.12.02
Make it a fun practice
“I play my best when I am having fun in my practice, so this will be my focus.”
2024.05.03
Adjust from mistakes
“My coaching voice will remind me that it is okay to make mistakes, but stupid to not adjust from them.”
2024.07.12
Don't view this as work
“This is not something I am forced to do. I am blessed with this opportunity to improve myself, and it is my fault only if I don't.”
2025.03.06
Margin, not pushing
“This does not mean to push, and when I get an opportunity I will take it, but just means that I will play a safer "rally ball".”
2025.06.15
Play the way you train
“Even if I know I can probably beat him just by outrallying him and running, this is not what I practice or how I play my best tennis. I will take today as an opportunity to practice what I train in a match setting.”
2025.09.30
Getting my feel back
“If I get frustrated, I will use my coaching voice to remind me that anger will only make me play worse and that I can't expect to play amazing on my first day back.”
2026.05.28
Timing of my footwork
“Just like I have been doing this week, I will focus on not just the intensity but also the timing of my footwork.”
2024.05.07
Thrive in tough times
“My coaching voice will remind me that great fighters are able to thrive in tough times.”
2024.07.02
Learn to enjoy the limit
“My coaching voice will remind me that I have to learn to enjoy pushing myself to my limit.”
2024.07.09
Persevere when it gets harder
“I have an obligation to my parents, my coaches, and my future self to perservere when it gets harder. That is what will make me a good fighter in fitness, tennis, and in general.”
2025.06.05
Show them how I train
“The coaches don't just want to see my level, they will also want to see how I train.”
2026.02.12
Lucky to play
“I am lucky to have the opportunity to play tennis during the day in beautiful weather with no pressure from school.”
2025.01.15
Stop being result-oriented
“I am playing with a very good player, and I cannot judge whether I am playing well or not by whether I beat him.”
2025.02.04
Leading the team by example
“Like you said, I will not go into the match with the expectation of winning.”
2025.05.26
Nothing to prove to anybody
“However, I don't have to prove anything to anybody.”
2026.05.21
Improvement over winning
“It does not matter how I play or whether I win - the most important thing will be my improvement, my mentality, and my effort.”
2024.06.08
Nothing more, nothing less
“If I win the tournament by camping behind the baseline and never coming in, it won't be a success, I wouldn't have improved what I'm working on at all.”
2025.06.20
Support your partner
“Especially because we are in doubles, I can't show any poor body language because it will affect my partner as well.”
2025.02.13
Control what I can
“Even if my hitter is not perfect today, my thinker and fan are in my control.”
2024.06.29
Fight for every single point
“It doesn't matter if the player is much better or worse than me. I will expect to fight for every single point.”
2024.11.01
Intentions matter, not results
“Today, I will remember that only my intentions matter- not my results.”
2025.03.18
Intentions over results
“My fan will encourage me if I'm not playing well by reminding me that I don't focus on results, I focus only on intentions.”
2025.07.15
Accept what you can't control
“I will control what I can, and accept what I can't.”
2024.04.18
Love the struggle
“Today, I am going to love the struggle!”
2024.04.23
Learning to love problems
“I am learning to love problems, because that is how I can become a great fighter.”
2024.05.02
Study, not another test
“Practice matches should be to STUDY, not another TEST.”
2024.06.27
My 100% will grow
“If I give 100% every day, my 100% will grow larger and larger.”
2024.07.18
Apply everything the first time
“Today, I won't focus on winning. I will strictly look at the things that are in my control.”
2024.09.16
A gift not to be taken for granted
“I will not take this session for granted. This is a gift that my parents are giving me, and I will work hard every minute.”
2025.03.21
Every minute is a gift
“Every minute is a gift, and I will try to learn and absorb as much as I can.”
2025.03.17
Steady intensity
“My coach was telling me yesterday that the reason I gave up those leads was that it reflected my training: my intensity would be too up and down over the practice.”
2025.02.17
Stay calm no matter what
“I will not react. I WILL STAY CALM NO MATTER WHAT HE DOES.”
2025.03.22
Value every shot
“I will recognize that it is a process and I will have to be patient and keep working hard.”
2025.06.10
Focus on the little things
“He said these small things build up over time and I have to focus extra hard to take care of the details.”
2025.09.07
Ready for the challenges
“My coaching voice will remind me of my plan, and my fan will remind me of all the progress I have made.”
2025.11.11
Patient with myself
“I will be patient with myself today if I play poorly, as it may also be because of my opponent.”
2025.11.21
Enjoying the journey
“Overall, however, my only goal will be enjoying the journey and having fun playing a game.”
2026.01.30
Thinking on my own
“This will allow me to think on my own and problem-solve myself.”
2025.01.28
Attitude above all
“If I need to take focus away from winning the match to do that, I will, because there is nothing more important today than my attitude.”
2025.02.26
Stay on today's match
“I will not think about yesterday. Today, I will keep my focus on today's match.”
2025.04.23
Tennis is a game, not work
“Tennis is not work, it is a game and I will have fun playing.”
2024.06.13
Full effort after days off
“I anticipate that I might not play amazing since I haven't hit a ball in days. That is okay. I will give a full effort in all other aspects regardless.”
2024.07.31
Go just a little bit longer
“I will push myself when the quality starts to dip to go just a little bit longer.”
2024.11.03
Mental game when rhythm is off
“Since my tennis may not be at my normal level, I need to make sure my mental game is on point.”
2025.05.25
Be professional on court
“If I need a break, I can take a break, but when I am on court, I will be professional.”
2024.07.11
Learn to love the struggle
“If I can push myself when I am tired in practice, it will be routine to be able to do this in tournaments.”
2025.05.14
Enjoy the game anyway
“I will appreciate this opportunity to play the sport I love and I will enjoy the game even if I don't play well.”
2025.03.11
Focus with family watching
“I will go out and carry myself confidently, but I will start the match with good margins and then slowly increase the risk if needed as I get more into the match.”
2025.09.05
An obligation to my parents
“I have an obligation to my parents to make the most out of this practice.”
2025.11.30
Moving and serving well
“I will be positive and enjoy that I get to play a game.”
2024.09.10
Calm and focused against a streaky player
“I will not get discouraged when he plays well or lose my focus when I am winning.”
2024.10.11
Zero expectations, full intensity
“Even if I can't make a single ball practice, I will keep my footwork as intense as possible.”
2024.05.04
Not just drills
“I won't see the practice as "just drills".”
2024.07.22
Push past my limit
“I don't have a tournament this weekend so it is fine if I am super sore.”
2025.05.13
Own the weaknesses
“I will recognize today that these are my weaknesses.”
2025.06.12
Appreciate the challenge
“It is a practice match, and I should be grateful that he found a hole in my game that he will force me to improve. I will appreciate the challenge today.”
2024.07.03
Gratitude for every chance to play
“Gratitude enables me to play my best, which is why I play well with better players.”
2024.07.10
Play through the pain
“I understand that it will be very tough, but these are the moments where I learn to be a good fighter.”
2024.09.26
A screenplay just in case
“There is a 99% chance that I won't play because of all the rain, but I wanted to write a screenplay just in case.”
2024.08.15
Appreciating the gifts
“It is a gift that many people don't get; I am lucky to be able to go to a good school where I can learn.”
2025.03.13
Composure against a streaky player
“I can't give any reactions during the match, because I know eventually, he will self-destruct.”
2025.11.13
Forgiving with myself
“I am still feeling pretty weak, so I will be forgiving with myself.”
2024.05.24
Effort over results
“It is completely up to me how good I am going to be. My effort, not my results, is the most important thing right now.”
2024.08.04
Enjoy playing, not just winning
“I am going to enjoy playing, not just enjoy winning. This is what fueled me in my last two matches.”
2025.04.14
Respect every opponent
“It is disrespectful to my opponent and does not make me better if I think that I can do whatever I want and win.”
2025.05.22
Do the simple things well
“Regardless, I will do the simple things very well.”
2025.06.18
Tennis is a gift
“I will have fun today, and keep my focus on how it's a gift to get to play this sport.”
2025.07.26
Extra effort when tired
“I know that I will get mentally and physically fatigued towards the end, so I will remember that I need extra effort to push through when I start getting tired.”
2026.02.28
A clear tournament game plan
“If I keep a positive attitude, it is very likely that he will break down and get frustrated at some point in the match.”
2025.01.27
Nothing to prove
“My thinker will pay attention to the other players' habits and keep note of them for lineup matches and my fan will give me confidence that I don't need to prove my level to anybody at all.”
2024.08.02
Intense and locked in with friends
“While we will talk, I need to be intense and focused while we are playing.”
2026.01.05
Holding myself accountable
“Zak has been gone for the holidays, so I have to be completely in charge of holding myself accountable.”
2024.05.30
Work hard without being told
“Pierre had to push me to get there and that should not happen. I will work hard today without having to be told.”
2024.10.01
The goal is just to improve
“Even if I lose some of these games, it doesn't matter because my goal is just to improve.”
2024.10.23
No excuses in a technical lesson
“When I train today, I will not make excuses.”
2025.04.07
Quality, not just quantity
“However, just hitting a lot of balls isn't enough.”
2025.07.31
Solving problems on my own
“My goal is to problem-solve and try to fix some of the issues on my own, without help, as that is what will have to happen in tournaments.”
2025.11.09
Intentional and focused practice
“It will be an amazing opportunity for me to improve, but it will be a waste of time if I am not intentional and focused with my practices.”
2026.01.29
Tennis is an escape
“Tennis is an escape, and I will not let it feel like a burden.”
2024.07.21
One point at a time
“I can't control winning, I can only perform at my best.”
2024.07.20
Play freely, nothing on the line
“I don't care about the score. I only care if I am achieving my goals.”
2024.06.28
A tournament is just a benchmark
“It's just a benchmark to see where I am in my development and an opportunity to practice under pressure.”
2024.07.17
Work hard with a smile
“I will love the battle, I will create my own state of enjoyment, I will accept the hand that is dealt to me with no complaints.”
2024.08.10
Performing with pressure
“Most people aren't even paying attention to what I am doing unless I make it a big deal.”
2024.10.30
Intentions and intensity, not results
“When I play, I will focus on my intentions and my intensity, not on how I am hitting.”
2025.07.14
Control what you can
“I am performing against myself and I will focus on the things over which I have control.”
2025.08.03
The fun part
“Even if training isn't always enjoyable, this should be the fun part. I'm getting to compete with no pressure.”
2025.12.26
Outward positivity
“While I have been focused recently, I have found that running around the court, saying come on or lets go, and just being more outwardly positive really helps me stay on route.”
2025.01.16
Bring it back to fun
“I will NOT get wrapped up in the outcome of the match.”
2025.01.21
Confidence without validation
“I should be confident in myself and not need extra validation.”
2026.02.11
Bouncing back faster
“My goal today will be to bounce back faster when I lose focus or I get frustrated.”
2025.12.06
Energy from the first point
“I haven't played a tournament in a while so I have no pressure to perform incredible today.”
2024.05.23
Take charge of how I feel
“My coaching voice will remind me that good competitors can find the positives even when bad things happen. Today, I will take charge of how I feel.”
2024.08.09
Leave a good impression
“Stay positive throughout the day. The coaches will remember my attitude.”
2024.09.19
Think about why I missed
“I will not be upset that I missed, I will think about how and why I missed.”
2024.11.04
Analyze, don't get upset
“I will be focused on my intentions and today will be a success if I work hard and stay positive.”
2025.08.20
Love to work
“If I can love to push myself, I will be a much more disciplined and tough player.”
2024.07.04
A full day of the sport I love
“I am getting to play a full day of the sport that I love. I will make the most out of my time and try to enjoy it.”
2025.05.28
Lucky to be here
“There are tons of kids who would do anything to be in my position and have the opportunities that I have.”
2024.08.26
Every day is a chance to learn
“My coaching voice will remind me that every day is an opportunity to learn and improve, regardless of how I play.”
2025.05.02
One bad day is not my level
“I played a great match in States, and if I am not playing well today, it does not mean that that is my level.”
2024.10.28
Find ways to compete
“I may not always play perfectly, but I can still find ways to compete.”
2024.05.14
Enjoyment makes playing well possible
“My coaching voice will remind me that enjoyment makes playing well possible for me.”
2024.09.22
Maintaining focus for three hours
“Towards the end of the practice, I sometimes start to get sloppy. I will recognize this happening and use my towel more and go eat the energy chews in my bag.”
2024.09.23
Composure around a rival
“If I am playing him and he cheats, I will not get frustrated. I will stay calm and move on.”
2024.10.20
Stay positive with my partner
“If we start losing, it will be important to not get negative and speak positively to my partner as well.”
2025.09.24
An obligation to be intentional
“I have an obligation to my parents, Zak, and my future self to be focused and intentional for the entire practice.”
2024.07.16
Intensity regardless of opponent
“I have an obligation to my parents, my coaches, and my future self to be intrinsically motivated and not encouraged to work hard based on who is on the other side of the net.”
2024.11.20
Trust the process on the forehand
“This might be a frustrating practice if I don't get it back immediately, so I must trust the process and keep a good attitude.”
2025.01.19
Fight and problem-solve
“When I get frustrated, I will remind myself that my goal is not to win the match; it is to improve.”
2025.05.16
Push through the heat
“It is very hot today, so I will need to keep my intensity high and push through.”
2025.08.18
A good first impression
“Since he is just starting to get to know me, I want to set a good first impression.”
2024.08.01
Smile when things happen
“I will be positive and I will smile when things happen. I am not always going to just be calm or frustrated on the court.”
2025.03.31
Same level, no dips
“I will not focus too much on the score as we play, Because I know that if I do the things I need to, the score can take care of itself.”
2025.09.03
A gameplan for a practice match
“I will keep a positive attitude and high energy, as I play my best when my intensity is a 7 and up.”
2026.02.02
Fight for every point
“I will compete hard and fight for every point.”
2026.05.27
Patience in the wind
“It is quite windy, so I will be patient with myself and bring in my margins significantly.”
2024.10.12
Deliberate with each shot
“I will be deliberate with each shot and really try to feel the ball.”
2024.10.31
Preparing around sleep deprivation
“I will eat a good lunch, be hydrated, and do a good warmup to offset the negative effects of sleep deprivation”
2025.12.19
A break from finals
“I may not play amazing, but I will enjoy this opportunity to play as a break from a stressful and exhausting week of studying.”
2025.07.18
Practice sets are for practicing
“Practice sets are for me to work on what I practiced in the morning, not for me to just win always.”
2025.09.11
No victim mentality
“When I get tired, I often tend to get a victim mentality and complain, which only makes me play worse.”
2025.12.01
Intentional footwork and serve
“I will enjoy my practice, and have fun playing my favorite game today.”
2024.08.20
A bad attitude becomes habit
“But a bad attitude can turn into habit quickly.”
2024.11.02
Playing freely with school to fall back on
“Since I have school, I am able to have something to fall back on even if I have a bad practice, match, or tournament.”
2024.12.10
Best effort regardless of level
“I will push myself for the full ninety minutes to give my best effort regardless of the level that I actually perform at.”
2025.04.11
Open to another perspective
“Even though he isn't my coach, I am looking forward to seeing what he says so that I can see another perspective.”
2025.10.25
High intensity from the start
“I will try to keep a positive attitude, even when I'm tired, and enjoy the process and improving.”
2024.11.05
Streaky opponents always let up
“He will always let up eventually.”
2024.11.12
Strong focus for a technical practice
“It is going to be quite a technical practice, so my focus will have to be very strong.”
2025.09.06
Success means doing three things
“I will consider this match a success not if I play well or if I win. I will consider this match a success only if I do these three things.”
2025.10.12
Be a thinking player
“I know that his forehand can be inconsistent and his serve is big, but I don't know much else, so I will have to be a thinking player.”
2025.12.10
A positive, carefree attitude
“I will keep a positive and carefree attitude in the same way that has been helping me lately.”
2025.03.20
Mind engaged when sick
“Even if I can't push myself physically too much today, I can work on my focus and problem solving to play at the highest level possible today.”
2026.05.17
Using my legs more
“I will do this by focusing on staying low for the full rally and by focusing on transferring my weight.”
2025.04.03
Control in the wind
“It is windy and there are many factors that could make it tough, so it will be important to maintain control of my emotions.”
2025.07.25
Making up for it mentally
“I will probably be out of shape, and I don't expect to hit well, but I will need to make up for these things mentally.”
2024.10.25
A positive attitude and a smile
“I will go into today's practice with a positive attitude and a smile.”
2025.04.28
Not the decider of my career
“This is not the decider of my tennis career.”
2024.11.07
No crazy expectations on a drained day
“I will not have any crazy expectations when I play, and I will make sure to just stay positive and confident through the whole practice.”
2025.03.25
Every point decides the match
“I will try to keep away mental lapses by treating every point like it decides the match.”
2025.03.27
Like my life depends on it
“During my match, I will try to work on my focus by playing every point like my life depends on it.”
2025.07.09
Control your attitude
“If I keep high intensity and positive energy, I will have my best chance of playing well.”
2025.08.30
Aggressive with my footwork
“I don't need to overhit, I will play within myself and be aggressive just with my footwork.”
2025.01.24
Not the end of the world
“I had a terrible tournament last weekend, and although it sucked that it went that way, it was not the end of the world.”
2025.07.30
Intentional, not just hitting balls
“Because of this, I have to make sure to be intentional with my training and hold myself accountable, not just go out and hit balls.”
2025.07.28
A quick learner with a new coach
“I will be a quick learner and show that I am willing to listen.”
2025.11.01
Push myself without Zak
“I will enjoy this beautiful day that I get to play the sport I love.”
2024.07.26
A burden or a gift
“I can choose if I want to view this as a burden or a gift.”
2025.02.15
Hardest worker on the court
“I will push myself to be the hardest worker on the court.”
2025.01.05
Back after time off
“Even if I am not capable of what I had been able to do, I will still push myself to the limit, wherever that may be today.”
2025.03.14
Loss as motivation
“I will not use my loss yesterday as a reason to complain or feel sorry for myself.”
2025.06.22
Compete, don't carry the outcome
“When I play, I will compete hard and I will focus on the match, not about the consequences of what could happen if I won or lost.”
2025.12.05
Play freely
“I am excited to play a tournament and I will enjoy the competition but in the grand scheme this tournament and this practice doesn't matter, so I might as well enjoy it and play freely.”
2024.11.11
Disrupt the hot streak
“I will not accept that he is playing too good or think that I have no chance to win. That is not an intelligent way to think.”
2024.08.21
Don't listen to the BEAT
“If I am not hitting well, and my BEAT is telling me that I can't play, or its not fair etc. I will not listen.”
2025.01.06
Mental effort in a technical lesson
“I will stay focused and intense, even if not a very physical demanding practice”
2025.06.11
Playing is a privilege
“Days like this remind me that it is a privilege to play, and I will be grateful for any chance when I can be on court.”
2026.06.18
Push myself all day
“Throughout the day, I will push myself and make the most out of today.”
2024.12.01
Want to win more than fear losing
“I will want to win more than I am scared to lose.”
2025.03.02
An obligation, not to win
“I am lucky my parents are giving me this opportunity to play and so I have an obligation to them: not to win, but to make the practice as productive as I can.”
2024.11.13
Don't get comfortable, stay composed
“I will be emotional because I have not gotten enough sleep, but I can't show this emotion on the court.”
2025.01.08
Patience while getting back
“I am still getting back, and this is a process that might take some time.”
2025.04.10
Full effort out of respect
“It is disrespectful for me to play differently or not as focused just because I think I am better.”
2025.06.27
No complaining, just problem solving
“Regardless of what happens, however, I will not complain. I will stay positive and work hard to make the most out of whatever situation I am in.”
2026.06.19
Building better habits
“I will practice these things when I play in the group and build these habits.”
2024.10.15
Focus on effort, not results
“I will be ready to push myself and I will not get upset about results. I will maintain my focus instead on effort.”
2025.08.19
Committed even under pressure
“I will work on the same thing that I worked on yesterday and show him that I will be committed to my development even under pressure.”
2026.02.13
Grateful and free
“I will be grateful to my parents for giving me this opportunity and I will love to compete.”
2024.08.23
Nothing to prove to anyone
“While I have an obligation to my parents, coaches, and my future self to work hard, this doesn't always mean I will play well.”
2024.12.23
No need to be nervous with old coaches
“If I am playing well, they will be happy, but even if I don't play well, they can help me find my level again.”
2025.01.22
Don't give conditions power
“I will not complain or even mention the conditions and I will not give them power.”
2025.03.04
Make every ball count
“When I am on court, I will make every ball count by keeping good footwork and by not going for dumb shots.”
2025.06.25
Set early for the ball
“Overall, my body feels good, I am hitting well, and I don't anticipate many challenges today.”
2025.09.09
Match intensity in practice
“I had a very strong 8 or 9 intensity in all of my matches, but I tend to be lazier in practice.”
2024.12.27
Lucky to play this sport
“There are many worse situations I could be in than not having played for two days.”
2024.07.30
Keep UTR out of my head
“We are all just tennis players, and the one with the best game will win”
2024.08.19
Proud to give it everything
“There is a chance that I still don't play my best, but even then I will be proud to say that I gave it everything.”
2024.08.22
Play freely, no pressure
“It is a random practice match with somebody I've never met before. I will play freely and I will enjoy the opportunity to play.”
2024.10.03
I control my own practices
“I have to think about how much I control my own practices and how my decisions and effort now will affect me in the future.”
2024.12.04
Let him be the frustrated one
“My opponent has to deal with all of the same things, so I will let him be the one to get frustrated.”
2024.12.20
Consistency over risky winners
“I am doing him a favor for going for winners or risky shots early in the point.”
2025.12.27
Bringing better energy
“By applying myself, I will be able to improve as fast as possible.”
2024.08.30
Show appreciation with attitude
“I will have a smile on my face and I will put any bad shots or mistakes out of my mind.”
2025.02.14
Doing the obvious things well
“Once again it seems obvious, but it is very important.”
2024.09.17
A day to work on discipline
“Regardless of how I play, today is a day to work on my discipline.”
2025.04.09
Keep the fan active
“Overall, it will be most important to keep up my intensity especially on a day like today where I might not play great.”
2025.11.27
Playing for fun on vacation
“I will have fun playing the sport I love on vacation.”
2025.11.14
Tennis is a game to enjoy
“Tennis is a game to enjoy, and I will have fun in my practice today.”
2025.12.11
Good attitude, whatever the plan
“I'm not sure what the plan is, but I will have a good attitude and enjoy the day no matter what.”
2024.08.24
Grateful and in control
“I will press myself to work hard and stay positive, as those are in my control, and I will accept what is not in my control.”
2024.11.15
Practice the attitude before the tournament
“My attitude will be important in this tournament, and I need to practice it today.”
2025.05.20
Logical criticism, not insults
“I will give myself logical criticisms if I don't do it well, for example I will not say "I'm so bad!!", I would think about what I did wrong and how I can fix it.”
2025.07.29
Pacing a long training day
“I have lots of energy today, and I should be able to push pretty hard(?).”
2025.08.02
Nothing riding on this match
“There is no pressure and there is nothing riding on this match. I will play freely and enjoy this opportunity to compete.”
2025.06.26
Make the most of court time
“I will be focused when I am on court and I will be grateful for any time I get to play.”
2025.10.03
First serves for my partner
“In doubles, it doesn't matter as much how perfect my serve is, if I make a low percentage only.”
2026.06.16
Applying what we worked on
“By starting the practice well, it will be easier to continue that way.”
2024.08.25
It only matters how I act
“It doesn't matter how I play. It only matters how I act.”
2025.05.08
Be a good role model
“I will be a good role model and stay positive the whole time.”
2026.02.14
Just another match
“It is just another match, and I will compete hard and enjoy playing.”
2024.08.07
End my time here working hard
“I will make the most of it so that I can end my time here working hard.”
2024.09.20
Pressure can't stop me
“I will execute better today by using my coaching voice to remind myself that pressure can't singlehandedly stop me.”
2024.10.17
Fun with friends, still an opportunity
“I am worried that I might get carried away just messing around with my friends and forgetting that this is an opportunity to practice.”
2025.04.22
Play it like a tournament
“I will play this match as hard as I can, and I will not get overconfident or comfortable.”
2025.06.19
No loose points
“I will treat every single point like the most important point of the match.”
2025.07.19
Push hard without coaches
“This practice, I will keep in mind the intensity that I had at the academy and I will be motivated myself to push hard even without coaches.”
2025.09.10
Easy to coach
“I will be respectful and hardworking in practice, as I am trying to become the type of person that is easy to coach.”
2026.02.09
Taking the ball early
“The serve feels different with this racket, so I will be mindful of using my legs more and staying up so that I can make as many first serves as possible.”
2024.12.13
Head in the game, not the crowd
“For now, I will just keep my head in the game and try not to consider the crowd's reaction.”
2025.07.16
Every minute on court
“I will see any time I get on court as a gift.”
2026.06.17
Trying a new group
“I know that some good players will be coming, and I will keep up my effort and positive attitude to make a good impression on the coaches.”
2024.09.07
A friendly match, played freely
“This does not make or break my tennis career, and I am going to control my emotions to stay positive.”
2024.11.13
Stick to the gameplan
“I should not try hitting winners or any flashy shots. I can comfortably win this match if I am able to stick to this gameplan.”
2025.06.16
Stay hungry after a win
“I am happy that I won the tournament this weekend, but I will be still focused and train hard.”
2025.08.01
Today shows up tomorrow
“I will remind myself that my attitude and actions today will be reflected tomorrow, so I will make it a point to keep my body language positive, and speak to myself in a respectful way.”
2025.06.17
Getting through the forehand
“Outside of this, I feel pretty good both physically and mentally and don't anticipate many other challenges today.”
2025.08.06
Not making it a chore
“I am grateful for this opportunity that I have had this summer and I will not make it into a chore.”
2026.01.19
A supportive team player
“It is important, especially during the team season, to be a supportive team player.”
2024.08.31
Accepting imperfection
“I will accept that I am not perfect and my performance can only get worse if I get frustrated every time that I'm not.”
2024.08.18
Same mentality, simple and effective
“It is simple, but this screenplay was effective yesterday.”
2024.08.28
Working hard while exhausted
“I will be proud that I am working hard and even if I don't hit well, I am doing what I need to do.”
2025.11.18
Only goal: enjoy practice
“These two hours are a break in my day. I will not waste them with complaining or negativity.”
2024.08.17
One goal: a good attitude
“I will be energetic and positive. Everything else is out of my control.”
2024.10.02
Effort in focus, not exertion
“I will not be very physically exerted at all, so my effort will all be in my focus and how much I apply.”
2024.12.24
Enjoy the process of working hard
“I will appreciate the opportunity I am getting today, and I will not view it as work.”
2024.08.16
No expectations, best effort
“My attitude is in my control, and I will not let it get negative.”
2024.09.21
Gratitude as motivation
“I am grateful for my dad to take me here, for my coaches, and for the chance to hit with such good players, and I will use that as motivation.”
2025.01.14
Effort today, results this weekend
“I will keep in mind that my effort will directly correlate to my performance this weekend in my tournament.”
2025.11.22
Gratitude through effort
“It is a gift to be able to train with him, and I will show him my gratitude in the form of my effort.”
2025.06.21
High energy from the start
“My coaching voice will remind me of this in big moments and whenever I get nervous.”
2024.09.13
Only effort and attitude
“Like every day, I will not care how I play, only my effort and attitude.”
2024.09.24
This is not a test
“This is not a test, it is just a piece of homework to measure where I am at.”
2024.09.28
Productive despite a sore back
“If I am extremely intense, and I am completely focused on whatever my coach is saying, I will be able to make it just as good or better than my normal practices.”
2024.09.05
Accept the challenge, not the victim mentality
“I hope my opponent plays well so that I can be challenged, and I will accept the challenge with a positive mindset, not a victim's mentality.”
2024.12.03
Fun without losing intensity
“I will have fun and enjoy the practice today, but I will still make sure to keep my intensity and focus.”
2025.01.17
Calm emotions before a tournament
“I will make sure to keep my emotions very controlled today by trying to stay calm the whole time(as opposed to getting really excited and really frustrated).”
2025.07.24
Listen to your body
“Today, I will be forgiving with myself and take breaks when I need to.”
2024.09.30
No point practicing below 100%
“There is no point of practicing if I am not going to be 100%.”
2024.08.27
Intentions over results
“It is necessary today that I focus on my intensity and intentions more than my results.”
2024.08.29
Learn from it even in a loss
“It is a practice match and I can learn from it even if I lose.”
2024.09.29
Disciplined with the drills
“I will do every drill with high intensity and the exact way my coach wants it.”
2024.10.05
Intensity and applying what I learned
“I will not get upset if I don't play well because I will still improve if I do these two things.”
2024.09.03
Stick to the strategy
“I will maintain my positive attitude, and make sure to stick to my strategy.”
2024.09.25
Apply it immediately
“I will be aware of my conditions, and I will adjust appropriately.”
2024.09.12
Show the coach real effort
“I might be some what out of rhythym, but if I am not playing well, I can show the coach a good mental and physical effort.”
2024.09.06
Having fun lets me think
“When I am having fun, I can compete and I can think. If I tell myself that I can't play, that will be all I can think about.”
2024.10.08
Rained out before the hurricane
“It is raining again tomorrow, and we have the hurricane Wednesday and Thursday, so I probably won't be playing that much this week.”
2024.10.07
One goal: keep intensity up
“I really only have one goal: to keep up my intensity as high as possible for as long as possible.”
2024.09.09
Don't waste chances to learn
“Regardless of if I can't make the goals, I am still wasting opportunities to learn if I get discouraged and lazy.”