Transcript
Today, I'm playing a tournament. My first match just withdrew so I am going to play at 11:00. I am going to warmup with my coach first. I want to be very energetic in my warmup to get ready for the match. I am ready to be nervous as that is a natural feeling. However, today I am going to actively deal with it.
First, I am going to keep my feet intense. When I get nervous, my feet will get heavy and lethargic, which can lead to errors. I also need to stay aggressive. Even if I'm making errors, its important for my improvement that I go for my shots when I get opportunities. I play my best when I am confident in my decisions and in control of the match. When I get nervous, I will remind myself that this tournament is really just a practice for how I want to play in 2-3 years. While I want to win, it is more important to practice being aggressive and attacking the ball. I will also remind myself of my footwork. If I am making lots of errors, it is usually because of my feet.
I have an obligation to my parents, my coaches, my future self, and you to give a strong effort to process my nerves with my coaching voice. I will keep my body language and self-talk positive and stick to my plan, even if I lose 0-6, 0-6. My coaching voice will remind me that no one match will make or break my career, but every match is an opportunity to improve. Today, I will enjoy fighting the nerves and I will love the struggle.