Advertise on podcast: The Short Set — Applied Sport Psychology for Tennis

Most athletes have had thoughts like these before competition:“What if I lose?”“What if I don’t defend my ranking points?”“What if I fail?”In this video, I explain why simply trying to “think positive” often isn’t enough to reduce performance anxiety... drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), applied sport psychology, and an idea that traces back to the ancient Stoics, I cover about one of my favorite techniques for helping athletes challenge catastrophic thinking before matches and tournaments.If you struggle with overthinking, fear of failure, or constantly imagining the worst-case scenario before matches, tournaments, or performances, I hope you’ll find this helpful.→ Schedule an intro call: https://malimentalperformance.com/intro-call→ How do sessions work? https://malimentalperformance.com/how-do-sessions-work→ My website: https://malimentalperformance.comMy name is Malhar Mali. I'm a mental performance/sport psychology consultant, with a MS in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology. I've been a tennis player for most of my life, at the collegiate level and beyond, and I've also been an NCAA coach. I've managed and directed tennis programs, and over the past few years I've undertaken the appropriate education and ethical training to become a sport psychology professional; I have been trained as a scientist-practitioner. I also have research in cognitive anxiety, emotional regulation, and emotional resilience, working with players inside the Top 100 to the Top 500. Today, I work with athletes all over the globe. Clients range from elite juniors, recreational, collegiate, and professional players.—What is applied sport and performance psychology and who works in it? This field is the non-clinical application of sport psychology (the science), psychology, counseling, and motor behavior to help athletes and performers improve the quality of their performance and improve mental well-being. Professionals have a minimum of a master's or PhDs in Sport Psychology or a *closely* related field.

Why do some junior players develop confidence, resilience, and a love of competing, while others become anxious, afraid of losing, or eventually quit the sport altogether? In this video, I introduce the concept of motivational climate—the psychological environment created by parents and coaches—and explain how it shapes an athlete’s motivation and long-term development. Drawing on Achievement Goal Theory, we explore the difference between ego-involving and mastery-involving climates, what the research tells us, and how subtle messages about winning, effort, and improvement influence young athletes over time. Whether you’re a parent, coach, or player, I hope this gives you a framework for thinking differently about the environment you’re creating and the kind of athlete you’re helping develop.→ Schedule an intro call: https://malimentalperformance.com/intro-call→ How do sessions work? https://malimentalperformance.com/how-do-sessions-work→ My website: https://malimentalperformance.com→ Prefer to read it? Here: https://malimentalperformance.com/post/are-you-responsible-for-your-childs-struggles-on-the-tennis-courtMy name is Malhar Mali. I'm a mental performance/sport psychology consultant, with a MS in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology. I've been a tennis player for most of my life, at the collegiate level and beyond, and I've also been an NCAA coach. I've managed and directed tennis programs, and over the past few years I've undertaken the appropriate education and ethical training to become a sport psychology professional; I have been trained as a scientist-practitioner. I also have research in cognitive anxiety, emotional regulation and emotional resilience, working with players inside the Top 100 to the Top 500. Today, I work with athletes all over the globe. Ages range from as young as 11 all the way to adult.—What is applied sport and performance psychology and who works in it? This field is the non-clinical application of sport psychology (the science), psychology, counseling, and motor behavior to help athletes and performers improve the quality of their performance and improve mental well-being. Professionals have a minimum of a master's or PhDs in Sport Psychology or a *closely* related field.