It’s a great question, and one that touches the heart of performance development. The short answer? Don’t push—praise. When athletes make the choice to stretch themselves—whether it’s taking risks in practice, refining technique, or entering a higher-level tournament—the best thing you can do is recognize and value that effort. Celebrate it, reflect it back, and let them feel that you see the expansion. This kind of emotional feedback creates internal motivation. Rather than dragging them forward with pressure, you help them step into the challenge with confidence and ownership. Athletes rise most consistently when they feel seen for who they’re being, not just what they’re doing.

We tend to think that growth requires more challenge, but often, it requires more presence. Stretching the comfort zone isn’t about artificially adding stress or chasing tougher conditions. Sometimes, stepping into a final round of a smaller tournament brings more pressure than losing early in a bigger one. The key is this: does the athlete engage fully with where they are right now? Presence—not pressure—is the signal for expansion. And if they’re avoiding that? That’s where subtle redirections can help. But forcing discomfort can backfire. Better to build the muscle of attention, the capacity to stay, and the skill of embracing the moment. That’s where real growth unfolds.

At CP, we work from the inside out. The goal isn’t to push harder—it’s to show up fuller. And yes, we absolutely help athletes find their edge and expand it, but we do so by building clarity, internal authority, and a grounded sense of self. If you’re wondering how to best support your athlete’s development in a way that builds resilience without burnout, we’d love to talk more. You’re welcome to schedule an interview call with Senior CP Coach Tim Mattek to explore whether our training approach is aligned with your athlete’s path.

⬇️ Use the Scheduling Form below to book your Interview Call with Senior CP Coach Tim Mattek today.

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Complete Performance Tennis has worked with over 1,000 athletes globally this year in the areas of mental skills and performance. The coaches here have 60+ collective years of full-time involvement in athletics as players, trainers, mentors, and coaches. As a father and two brothers of Olympic Gold Medalist and 10x Grand Slam Champion Bethanie Mattek-Sands, the CP Team has been intimately involved with performance at the highest levels. And continue to work with WTA, ATP, ITF, D-1, and nationally-ranked juniors world-wide.  

Complete Performance was built for the real ones—the true competitors, the big dreamers, the athletes chasing more than just wins. It’s for those ready to move past frustration, unlock their power, and live in their zone—permanently. The CP Portal isn’t just a library of tools—it’s a performance ecosystem, crafted to equip players with the mindset, method, and momentum to rise. Every tool, every session, every step is designed to help athletes express their genius in real time, under real pressure. Thousands have already stepped in. The question is—are you ready to own your peak?

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