It’s the third set of the Murray-Gasquet encounter on Wimbledon’s Centre Court. Gasquet, outplaying Murray, needs to hold his serve to win, in straight sets. But, with the odds against him, Murray digs deep, and draws on the powerful well of support from the Centre Court crowd. In the games critical turning point, he breaks the Frenchman’s serve. And his spirit. For with the crowd against him, the brilliance drains out of Gasquet. He proceeds to lose a match, that was in his grasp. This is a defeat, that will haunt him for some time. It was as if the […]

So the French Champion, and number one seed, makes an early exit at Wimbledon, after a nervy, out of sorts display. In many ways this tournament probably came to soon for Ana Ivanovic. Too soon for her to adjust to her status of French Champion and rankings leader. To soon, to develop the mentality of a number one seed at Wimbledon. For being number one, brings many pressures. Pressure, to live up to expectations. Both of oneself and of others. Pressures, that come with your rivals, keen to take the opportunity to knock you off your pedestal. Pressure from the […]

‘I think being on Centre Court motivated him and he was mentally there today – the opposite of me’. The words of disappointed Novak Djokovic, after a three sets defeat to Marat Safin. Perhaps, for the talented Djokovic, this was simply another match, in the demanding tennis roadshow. Where are we today? London. And so, when he tried to dig deep, to counter the Russian, he simply couldn’t find the mental and emotional energy, critical for a tough Wimbledon challenge. He hadn’t done enough of the vital mental work, essential for preparing him for this match. Mental preparation, that would […]

During the first set of the Australian Open tennis final, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga played with the same authority, power and confidence that he demonstrated in his semi-final win over Rafael Nadal. He was still in ‘the zone’. Playing tennis as if in a dream. Looking unbeatable. As if he couldn’t miss. And didn’t. Then, somewhere in the second set, things changed. Tsonga started to get irritated. Shake his head. Stare at his racket. He no longer appeared unbeatable. The spell had been broken. He and the tennis gods were no longer as one. This was Tsonga’s first encounter with the Serbian […]

It’s the fifth set of the Wimbledon’s mens single final. Rafael Nadal is pounding Roger Federer. He has vital break points at 2-2. It’s a pivotal moment in the game. The champion is on the ropes. Minutes later Federer heads for the chair 3-2 up. There is a spark in his eye. A spring in his step. And with it a sense of knowing. A sense that champions get. That this is it. This is the moment. The turning point. And so it proves. He has taken all Nadal has got to throw at him. Nadal is finally beaten. So what is […]

Another summer. Another Wimbledon. Henman Hill packed with expectant fans. Living on hope. It’s been like this for years. Hope followed by disappointment. So what, if anything could Tim Henman have done differently to have broken his personal stop situation and taken the Wimbledon crown. If I had been providing sports psychology services for Tim, I would have suggested a radical experiment. It is one he may not have liked. I would have asked Tim to tell his father Anthony to stay away. Every year you see Mr. Henman alongside Mrs. Henman and Lucy Henman. Perched right over the court. […]