THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PHYSICAL FITNESS IN TENNIS
Physical fitness is one of the great essentials of match play in tennis.
Keenness can only be acquired if the physical, mental, and nervous systems are in tune. Consistent and systematic training is essential to a tournament player.
Regular hours of sleep, and regular, hearty food at regular hours are necessary
to keep the body at its highest efficiency. Food is particularly important.
Eat well,but do not over-eat, particularly immediately before playing.
I believe in a large hearty breakfast on the day of a big match.
This should be eaten by nine-thirty; A moderate lunch at about
one o'clock if playing at three. Do not eat very rich food at luncheon,
as it tends to slow you up on the court. Do not run the risk of indigestion,
which is the worst enemy to dear eyesight. Rich, heavy food immediately
before retiring is bad, as it is apt to make you "logy" on the court the
next day.
It is certain injury to touch alcoholic drink in any form during tournament play.
Excesses of any kind are bad for physical condition, and should not be chanced. Late hours cause sluggishness of mind and body the next day. It is very dangerous to risk them before a hard match. Television immediately before playing tennis is bad, owing to the eyestrain caused the strong light. Lead a normal, healthy life, and conserve your nervous force wherever possible, as you will need it in the hard matches.
"Staleness" is the great enemy of players who play long seasons. It is a case of too much tennis. Staleness is seldom-physical weariness. A player can always recover his strength by rest. Staleness is a mental fatigue due often to worry or too close attention to tennis, and not enough variety of thought. Its symptoms are a dislike for the tennis game and its surroundings, and a lack of interest in the match when you are on the court. I advocate a break in training at such a time.
Go to the theatre or a concert, and get your mind completely off tennis. Do your worrying about tennis while you are playing it, and forget the unpleasantness of bad play once you are off the court. Always have some outside interest you can turn to for relaxation during a tournament; but never allow it to interfere with your tennis when you should be intent on your game. A nice balance is hard to achieve, but, once attained is a great aid to a tournament player.
The laws of training should be closely followed before and after a match. Do not get chilled before a match, as it makes you stiff and slow. Above all else do not stand around without a wrap after a match when you are hot or you will catch cold.
Many a player has acquired a touch of rheumatism from wasting time at the close of his match instead of getting his shower while still warm. That slight stiffness the next day may mean defeat. A serious chill may mean severe illness. Do not take chances.
Change your wet clothes to dry ones between matches if you are to play twice in a day. It will make you feel better, and also avoid the risk of cold. Tournament players must sacrifice some pleasures for the sake of success. Training will win many a match for a man if he sticks to it. Spasmodic training is useless, and should never be attempted.
The condition a player is, in is apt to decide his mental viewpoint, and aid him in accustoming himself to the external conditions of play.
Keenness can only be acquired if the physical, mental, and nervous systems are in tune. Consistent and systematic training is essential to a tournament player.
Regular hours of sleep, and regular, hearty food at regular hours are necessary
to keep the body at its highest efficiency. Food is particularly important.
Eat well,but do not over-eat, particularly immediately before playing.
I believe in a large hearty breakfast on the day of a big match.
This should be eaten by nine-thirty; A moderate lunch at about
one o'clock if playing at three. Do not eat very rich food at luncheon,
as it tends to slow you up on the court. Do not run the risk of indigestion,
which is the worst enemy to dear eyesight. Rich, heavy food immediately
before retiring is bad, as it is apt to make you "logy" on the court the
next day.
It is certain injury to touch alcoholic drink in any form during tournament play.
Excesses of any kind are bad for physical condition, and should not be chanced. Late hours cause sluggishness of mind and body the next day. It is very dangerous to risk them before a hard match. Television immediately before playing tennis is bad, owing to the eyestrain caused the strong light. Lead a normal, healthy life, and conserve your nervous force wherever possible, as you will need it in the hard matches.
"Staleness" is the great enemy of players who play long seasons. It is a case of too much tennis. Staleness is seldom-physical weariness. A player can always recover his strength by rest. Staleness is a mental fatigue due often to worry or too close attention to tennis, and not enough variety of thought. Its symptoms are a dislike for the tennis game and its surroundings, and a lack of interest in the match when you are on the court. I advocate a break in training at such a time.
Go to the theatre or a concert, and get your mind completely off tennis. Do your worrying about tennis while you are playing it, and forget the unpleasantness of bad play once you are off the court. Always have some outside interest you can turn to for relaxation during a tournament; but never allow it to interfere with your tennis when you should be intent on your game. A nice balance is hard to achieve, but, once attained is a great aid to a tournament player.
The laws of training should be closely followed before and after a match. Do not get chilled before a match, as it makes you stiff and slow. Above all else do not stand around without a wrap after a match when you are hot or you will catch cold.
Many a player has acquired a touch of rheumatism from wasting time at the close of his match instead of getting his shower while still warm. That slight stiffness the next day may mean defeat. A serious chill may mean severe illness. Do not take chances.
Change your wet clothes to dry ones between matches if you are to play twice in a day. It will make you feel better, and also avoid the risk of cold. Tournament players must sacrifice some pleasures for the sake of success. Training will win many a match for a man if he sticks to it. Spasmodic training is useless, and should never be attempted.
The condition a player is, in is apt to decide his mental viewpoint, and aid him in accustoming himself to the external conditions of play.
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