Kwong Young, USPTA Tennis Professional, IronOaks Tennis Club
As a player, do you recognize the signs of frustration when they start to creep in?
It can happen to anyone. A few unforced errors, a missed easy shot, a double fault at the worst moment, or even a questionable line call—suddenly, your rhythm is gone. Maybe your opponent gets under your skin, and before you know it, your emotions are running the match instead of your game. We’ve all seen it, even at the highest level—players yelling to their box or smashing a racket as frustration boils over.
But here’s the real question: what do you do in that moment?
This is where your character shows. Every player faces adversity, but the difference lies in how you respond. Do you let negativity take control, or do you reset and refocus? Many players fall into what’s called “split focus,” still stewing over a mistake from several points ago while trying to play the present point. The result? You’re not fully focused anywhere. And if your mind is divided, your performance will be too.
The solution is simple, but not always easy: let it go.
A powerful example of this mindset was on display at the Miami Open. Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz, one of the most talented players in the world, was upset in the third round by No. 32 seed Sebastian Korda. Despite the loss, Alcaraz showed true sportsmanship, greeting Korda with a genuine smile and a hug, fully embracing the moment with acceptance and respect.
That’s the lesson.
No matter your level, anyone can be beaten. That’s the beauty of competition. But what defines great players isn’t just their talent, it’s their ability to accept, adapt, and move forward with positivity.
So, the next time frustration shows up, remember you can’t change the last point, but you can control the next one.