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The Psychology of Tennis Parenting
Psychosomatic Dramas
Pre-match problems that are invented are called psychosomatic dramas. This condition involves feelings of physical symptoms, usually lacking a clear medical explanation. Athletes with these symptoms may have excessive thoughts, feelings, or concerns about competition, affecting their ability to perform well.
Some athletes are prone to worry. A junior competitor who seems to have excess fear creates psychosomatic problems. By inventing problems, they temporarily get to avoid actual vulnerability. Most athletes who deny inventing their pre-match drama share a common way of thinking: “If I give 100% effort and fail, it’s all on me… it’s my fault. But if I say that I’m injured or sick and then happen to lose, I’m giving myself a built-in excuse. This way, losing isn’t so painful.”
The preventive medicine approach is needed to reduce competitive stress. These tips can assist your athlete in managing their mental health and improving their sanity come game day. I recommend experimenting with coping strategies.
Solution: The preventive medicine approach includes the following:
- Accept your feelings but don’t chase them.
- Prioritize controlling what’s controllable
- Practice relaxation. Deep breathing/meditation
- Going for a run naturally produces stress-relieving hormones
- Ask them to Google: Fear, then discuss it.
- Ask them to Google: Psychosomatic issues, then discuss them.
Junior competitors sometimes hold perfectionism traits. These traits lead to fear of failure because they worry it might define them. In the psychological world, the term is Atelophobia, an actual fear of flaws. Athletes with Atelophobia may develop a fear of competition. Please remind your athlete that in 2017 Novak Djokovic won 53% of his points, Roger Federer won 54.5%, and Rafael Nadal won 55% of his points played. They chase excellence, not perfection.
