The tennis court is a battleground of nerves and thoughts, where players grapple with the pressure of milestones and the weight of expectations. It's not just about physical prowess; it's a mental game where the mind can be just as much an obstacle as the opponent. At the French Open, the tension is palpable, with only a handful of top seeds remaining, and the stakes are higher than ever. But how do tennis players manage these nerves and intrusive thoughts when they're on the line?
One player who embodies this struggle is Flavio Cobolli, whose recent match against Zachary Svajda showcased the internal battle tennis players face. Cobolli's body betrayed him as he started to overthink, leading to a series of errors and a near-miss. It's a common experience for many players, who describe feeling like they're going to throw up, their hands shaking, and their upper body tensing. These physical responses can be just as much a hindrance as the opponent themselves.
The physiology of nerves is complex, with the brain playing a central role. Sports psychologist Sarah Murray explains that our bodies respond to threats in the same way they did when we were facing woolly mammoths. This primal response can be both a blessing and a curse for tennis players. The sympathetic nervous system, or fight-or-flight response, increases excitability and prepares the body for action, but it can also lead to muscle tension and tremors, especially in a sport that demands fine motor skills.
The brain's influence on the body is profound, and tennis players must navigate this intricate relationship. The parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest and digestion, works in tandem with the sympathetic system, but it's the former that can be more problematic for athletes. The top dogs, or favorites, often find themselves in a mental trap, where their own expectations can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Murray warns of the 'thinking traps' that can cloud a player's mind, such as the thought of securing a place in the semifinals, which can lead to a loss of clarity and focus.
The underdog, on the other hand, has a unique advantage. They play with the psychological handbrake off, allowing their brain to make better decisions in the moment without the burden of fortune-telling. Maja Chwalińska, the world No. 114, embodies this mindset, embracing the freedom of being an underdog. But the challenge lies in managing expectations and skills, as the unexpected rise of underdogs can create a mismatch between what's expected and what's achievable.
The body's response to nerves is equally fascinating. The stress response increases muscle activation, leading to tension and tremors, which can be difficult to control in a sport like tennis. Adrenaline and noradrenaline are released, affecting alertness and reaction speed. The stop-start nature of tennis makes breathing regulation critical, as players must recalibrate after intense moments and manage intrusive thoughts. Breathwork coach Hannah Nedas emphasizes the importance of building a solid breathing practice away from playing to tap into it more easily in stressful situations.
The mind-body connection is a powerful force in tennis. The gut-brain axis sends biochemical messages between the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract, creating a vicious cycle. Harri Heliövaara, a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, has used breathwork and microactions to manage his nerves. He finds that an intentional shift in physiology, such as smiling or unclenching a fist, can alter his emotional state and help him stay in the moment.
As the players left in the French Open advance towards their tournament-defining matchups, they will all be trying to follow Cobolli's mantra: 'It's my first time, and the experience is not high. Sometimes you have to pass this moment to have a better chance to improve in the next one.' It's a reminder that tennis is as much a mental game as it is physical, and that managing nerves and intrusive thoughts is a critical part of the journey to the top.
