This is one of the most common pre-match struggles athletes face: the internal build-up, the “what if I lose?” spiral, the subtle tension of needing things to go a certain way. Pressure before a match usually comes from one thing—the desire to guarantee an outcome that’s not fully in their control. The moment your athlete mentally leaves the present and tries to “win the match in their head” ahead of time, their nervous system begins bracing for something uncertain. They’re no longer grounded in the body—they’re forecasting the future. And that pressure they feel? That’s the energy cost of attention leaking into the unknown.

The solution isn’t telling them not to care. It’s helping them reallocate what they care about. When a player values the outcome over the effort, pressure flows from the outside in. But when they value the expression of their game—how they show up, how they swing, how they respond—pressure begins to flow from the inside out. This distinction changes everything. Our athletes learn that performance is not about “holding a level.” It’s about holding presence. And when they enter a match with that mindset, the court becomes less about proving something and more about releasing something—something that’s already within them.

You can support this shift as a parent by how you engage with your player before the match. Rather than focusing on the stakes, rankings, or results, ask them: “What part of your game are you most excited to bring today?” Help them feel seen not for what they might achieve, but for what they’re ready to express. That simple redirection can reset their energy completely. And if you’d like more individualized support around helping your player prepare emotionally and mentally for match days, you’re invited to schedule a personal interview with Senior CP Coach Tim Mattek. He’s supported athletes of all levels in learning how to walk on court without fear and let their game speak for itself.

⬇️ 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?

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

*Availability Limited*

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