Whether it’s your first tennis tournament or you are a seasoned competitor, how you prepare for a competition can make a big difference when it comes to how well you end up doing.
This article will look at the best ways you can use to prepare for the next tournament at your local club so that you can advance as far as possible.
Top 5 Tips on How to Prepare for a Tournament
1. Don’t overplay
It is important that you don’t overplay in the run-up to a tournament as tennis can be demanding on your body.
You will obviously want to play a couple of times the week before a tournament but just make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to recover between any matches and that you aren’t playing every day.
My tip would be to not play any tennis two days before any competition so you ensure your body is relaxed and ready to go.
It is also a good idea to use this time to think about what strategies you might use in your matches rather than trying to improve your technique.
2. Ensure your Rackets and Other Equipment is Ready
This is something that is often overlooked by players but at the very least, you should ensure that you have at least two recently strung rackets in your racket bag.
There is nothing worst than having your tournament ruined by one of your strings being broken and not having a backup racket to play with.
Even if you borrow a racket from someone else, it is likely playing with an unfamiliar racket will affect your game.
Other things you should ensure you have in your racket bag ahead of your first match are a towel, spare overgrips, some extra wristbands, and a change of clothes in case you have to play two matches back to back.
3. Don’t try and change your technique
One of the biggest mistakes I have made myself in preparing for a tournament was trying to change my technique in the weeks running up to it.
If you are anything like me, then you will probably revert to your old technique as soon as you start your first match so since then I leave trying to improve my technique until after a big tournament.
So if you want to work on your backhand, forehand, or serve then my recommendation is to leave making any changes to your strokes until afterward.
Once you have worked on your new technique and you have more confidence in using it, then you can use it in the next competition.
4. Don’t Overthink your Opponents
If you are playing in a competition at your local club, then it is likely you will know your opponents.
Even if they have beaten you in the past, it is best not to overthink your opponents and instead, you should concentrate on your game and what you can do rather than worrying about what your opponents bring to the court.
If your opponent has beaten you a number of times in friendly matches, remember that tournament play is very different so don’t assume the match will go the same way as it did in your previous matches.
5. Keep Hydrated and Eat Good Food
This is something you should do all the time and not just in preparation for a tournament but it is super important to keep yourself hydrated and to eat good food in the run-up to a match so that you will be able to give it your best on the court.
Also, remember to bring enough water and food in your racket bag on the day as it is the key to maintaining your energy levels during long matches or if you have more than one match scheduled in the day.