Every tennis player misses — from total beginners to tour professionals. The difference between players who improve and players who stagnate is not how few mistakes they make, but how they respond to the ones they inevitably do. In this guide, Randy Reynolds — certified tennis instructor and director of Tennis Nation at Reno Tennis Center — shares a straightforward framework for developing the mental toughness to accept mistakes, learn from them and stay focused on improving. To work on both your mental game and technique with Randy, book a lesson at Reno Tennis Center.
Tennis Mistakes Happen
Making mistakes in tennis is normal — and it is important to have the mental toughness to overcome them. It doesn’t matter your level. Total beginners to tour players miss all the time. Every sport has this — basketball, baseball, golf. What is more shocking is how many tennis players don’t want to accept that making mistakes is part of the sport.
A common misconception:
- Players believe missing is due to something that went wrong and can be fixed with more training
- In reality, as players improve they move up in competition — and higher-level opponents hit higher-quality balls
- As a result, mistakes follow players throughout their career regardless of how much they practice
This is not a sign that practice isn’t working. It is a sign that you are progressing.
Understand That Tennis Mistakes Are Inevitable — and Accept It
Tennis is a difficult sport and is designed to be challenging. The reality:
- Everyone misses — at every level, on every tour
- Everyone will continue to make mistakes — this never stops
- The goal of practice is not to eliminate mistakes entirely but to reduce unforced errors and make better decisions under pressure
Rather than get upset at mistakes — acknowledge them, be kind to yourself, and understand that you are still developing as a player. It is just a matter of time before the next mistake happens.
Mental Mistakes Should Be Addressed
While technical mistakes are inevitable, mental mistakes — choosing the wrong shot for the situation — should be actively addressed. As a tennis player it is important to have a clear image of what shot you intend to hit prior to striking the ball.
Two examples of mental errors:
- Scenario 1: Positioned deep in the court, being run toward the sideline — going for a down-the-line winner. This is poor shot selection. A high ball over the net down the middle or a lob is a much higher-percentage choice.
- Scenario 2: Opponent approaches the net — no clear plan in mind — resulting in hitting the ball hard right at the player. Rolling the ball at the opponent’s feet would be a much better option.
Mental mistakes are often more costly than technical errors because they happen at the worst moments. Addressing them requires developing a clear shot selection framework before the match and visualizing your intended shot before each point.
Rather than getting upset at mistakes, accept them as reality. Be kind to yourself and focus your attention on the shots you hit well — and you will find joy in tennis.
For more on making smart on-court decisions, check out the Tennis Singles Strategy Playbook. For more free psychology and mental game guides visit our tennis psychology library.
Frequently Asked Questions About Overcoming Tennis Mistakes
Why do I keep making the same mistakes in tennis even after practicing?
As you improve and move up in competition, your opponents hit higher quality balls that create more difficult situations — so mistakes follow you regardless of practice volume. This is not a sign your practice isn’t working. It is a sign you are progressing. The goal is not to eliminate mistakes entirely but to reduce unforced errors and make better decisions under pressure. Focusing on shot selection and mental clarity before each point will reduce mental errors far more effectively than simply hitting more balls.
What is the difference between a technical mistake and a mental mistake in tennis?
A technical mistake occurs when shot execution breaks down — poor footwork, wrong grip, late contact point or inconsistent swing path. These are addressed through deliberate practice and coaching. A mental mistake occurs when a player chooses the wrong shot for the situation — going for a low-percentage winner when a high-clearance ball down the middle was the right play. Mental mistakes are addressed by developing a clear shot selection framework before the match and visualizing your intended shot before each point. Both are normal — but mental errors are often more costly because they happen at the worst moments.
How do the best tennis players stay calm after making mistakes?
The best players acknowledge the mistake briefly, reset between points with a consistent routine — adjusting strings, taking a breath, bouncing on their feet — and redirect focus to the next point rather than dwelling on the error. They accept that mistakes are part of the game and do not attach their self-worth to individual points. Building this habit takes time and repetition, but it starts with a simple mindset shift: the goal between points is not to analyze what went wrong, but to prepare clearly for what comes next. As Randy puts it — be kind to yourself, focus on the shots you hit well, and you will find joy in tennis.
I want to develop a stronger mental game on the court.
Book a lesson at Reno Tennis Center and work with Randy Reynolds on shot selection, mental game strategies and the technique to back them up.
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