I recently asked a group of my students what was the single most important thing they wished to accomplish when playing a match. Their comments included, bringing your racquet back early, keeping your feet moving, hitting topspin, not snapping your wrist to hit a forehand, etc. I was surprised at these responses. Although these are admirable objectives to achieve at a practice session, they are not the things to be thinking about prior to a match.  Prior to a tennis match and during the warmup, a player should be pysching himself/herself up to give a 100% effort and to achieve the prime objectives to keep the ball in play and to make their opponent earn every point.  During competition is not time to worry about or to practice stroke mechanics. Most matches at the amateur level are won or lost due to unforced errors. Keep the ball in play and force your opponent to move to return your shots. Don't be focused on hitting winners. Be focused on the use of multiple shots to win each and every point.

George Haley