Helping Your Junior Tennis Player Thrive Mentally: A Parent’s Guide

If you’ve ever watched your child step onto the tennis court with a mix of excitement and nerves, you know how mentally demanding the game can be.

Junior players often struggle with pressure, anxiety, lack of physical endurance, and inexperience. As parents, it’s natural to want the best for your child, but sometimes, the way we try to help can actually add to their stress rather than ease it.

I’ve seen it time and time again—parents living every point like it’s match point at Wimbledon, getting tense in the stands, and sending all that energy straight onto their child’s shoulders.

The truth is, junior players already feel immense pressure. They want to win, perform well, and make their coaches and parents proud. But when parents hyper-focus on results, wins, and every little mistake, it only amplifies the anxiety.

The Common Trap: Too Much Pressure

One of the biggest mistakes parents make is placing too much emphasis on winning. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of competition, but when every match feels like life or death, it drains the joy out of the game for the child.

The best junior players are not just physically strong—they’re mentally resilient. And that resilience comes from a balanced mindset, not from fear of disappointing their parents.

I’ve seen young players who are so tense during a match that they stop playing freely. Their strokes become tight, their footwork hesitant, and their natural instincts disappear.

Why?

Because they’re afraid of failing in front of their parents. Instead of focusing on the game, they’re focusing on not letting mom or dad down.

What Parents Should Focus On

Instead of pressuring kids to win every point, shift the focus to effort, learning, and enjoyment. Here are some key ways to support your child’s mental game:

1. Encourage a Growth Mindset – Tennis is a long journey. Remind your child that every match, win or lose, is an opportunity to improve. Praise effort over results.

2. Normalize Mistakes – Mistakes are part of tennis. Even the best players in the world miss shots. Teach your child that errors don’t define them—they’re just stepping stones to getting better.

3. Be a Supportive Presence – Your body language and expressions matter. Stay relaxed during matches, cheer them on positively, and avoid visible frustration.

4. Emphasize Enjoyment – At the end of the day, tennis should be fun. When kids love the game, they’ll naturally put in the hard work and develop mental toughness over time.

5. Help Manage Nerves – Teach them simple relaxation techniques like deep breathing or positive self-talk before and during matches.

A Personal Takeaway

I’ve personally seen how much of a difference it makes when parents take the pressure off. I once knew a young player who was extremely talented but struggled with anxiety because his father analyzed every single mistake. The kid was so afraid of losing that he started dreading matches. But when his dad finally shifted his approach—focusing on the positives, celebrating improvement, and reminding his son to have fun—his game transformed. He played more freely, smiled more on the court, and actually performed better.

The bottom line? Your child will play their best tennis when they feel supported, not pressured. So the next time they step on the court, take a deep breath, smile, and remind them: It’s just a game, and they should enjoy every moment of it.

Keep a positive attitude!

Danny [TennisMental.com]