Frustration. As I probably say a hundred times a day, tennis resembles life in many ways. I don't know of a single person who hasn't ever had frustrating experiences in life, and the tennis court is certainly no different. There is good news, and that news is simple: Tennis is supposed to be fun! Tennis is supposed to be the place where you take OUT your frustrations, not ADD to them and in this lesson, I will attempt to help you FORGET about the frustration, and FOCUS on the fun!

Laugh it off and focus on your next shot:
What's the most important shot to focus on? The one you just missed or the next ball? If you answered "the next ball" you are absolutely correct! Why? Because there isn't anything you can do to change the shot you just missed. Your next shot is the only thing you can try to control, so that should be your sole focus. Frustration usually occurs when we think about the shot we just missed, so, instead of dwelling on the ball you just 'shanked', laugh it off and focus on your next shot. I can't begin to tell you how learning this very simple thing helped me deal with the frustrations that I feel whenever I 'shank' one. Laugh off the 'shank' and focus on the next shot to help keep the frustration away!

Your opponent is a much stronger player then you are:
There is probably nothing more frustrating then playing against someone who is a much stronger player then you are. Watching balls that you normally hit for winners come flying back at you twice as fast as you hit them can be tough to take. I know this is going to sound like a cliché, but you should take it as a compliment that this stronger player is hammering you. Sounds kind of strange, huh? Usually, when someone is playing against a weaker opponent, the tendency is to pull back and 'carry' the weaker opponent to make a match of it. In this situation, your opponent is taking YOU seriously, which is a compliment! Just think to yourself "Now I know how people who play Roger Federer feel" and you'll forget all about getting pounded. So just go out there, laugh, smile and enjoy yourself.

Remind yourself why you play tennis:
Why do you play tennis? For the exercise? For social reasons? To get outside in the sun? To escape the pressures of the day? To compete and play tournaments? To hang with your friends? Each of these reasons are great reasons to play tennis. Notice the word 'play'. When you play, you're supposed to have fun, right? Tennis is SUPPOSED to be fun! Games are supposed to be fun! Of course, everyone wants to play well, to win, and to compete hard but it's also supposed to be fun! Cursing and yelling at the sky isn't a lot of fun nor is breaking your new 300$ racquet, is it? It's also not going to change a single thing except ADD to your frustration (not to mention lighten your wallet!) Just remind yourself why you play tennis and forgetaboutit and just have fun!

Just Forgetaboutit!
I believe that people take the game far more seriously then they should. Sure, competitive tennis is serious, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with this, but it's still supposed to be fun. For people who do play for the competition, taking lessons is a great way to ease the frustrations that you're feeling from your competitions. 99% of the tennis playing population never make a nickel playing the game so why let frustration take away the immeasurable joy that playing the game of tennis can provide? As Tony Soprano would say "forgetaboutit" and have fun!

Phil Naessens is the Director of Tennis/Head Professional at the Corfu Holiday Palace Hotel and Casino in Corfu, Greece. For information regarding tennis holidays, group clinics and lessons while staying in Corfu or having Phil come to your club, he can be reached at Alphitennis@hotmail.com or by calling +30 693 644 4218.