Elite junior tennis players’ perceptions of the
importance of mental skills were investigated in
a study commissioned by Tennis Victoria. Eight
junior boys aged 13 to 17 years and seven girls
aged 12 to16 years comprising an elite training
squad at Melbourne Park responded to a questionnaire.
Reponses to ratings of the importance
of mental and physical factors, and key mental
skills for success were recorded, together with
the time devoted to mental preparation prior to
important matches and explanations for match
losses. While mental factors and skills were
strongly endorsed, no gender differences were
found in these endorsements or in the time
devoted to mental preparation. Losses in important
matches were generally attributed to mental
factors. Results were interpreted in terms of the
maturity of players and shared exposure to the
State coach’s training methods and program.
Future directions in tennis mental skills research
are highlighted.