As a UTR flex league player or USTA doubles specialist, visualization can be the secret weapon that takes you from 3.5-4.0.
I knew that visualization was
All the sports psychologists talk about it.
But I didn’t really know how.
And then AI stepped in.
I was digging on Claude and discovered…
According to brain imaging studies, motor imagery and actual movement activate overlapping areas of the brain: the motor cortex, the supplementary motor area, and the cerebellum.
Our brains are essentially rehearsing the movement and creating neural pathways required for the physical movement.
This is how to apply it in tennis…
When you’re shadow stroking, visualize and make the movement exactly how you want it to be when the ball is live.
I’ve stopped my drills to come and correct someone’s shadow stroke.
Secondly, before every serve, rehearse the movement. Your consistency will go up.
Third, the night before a match, rehearse some of the points you’re going to play out. You’ll step on the court with more confidence.
How do we visualize?…
Do it in first person and in real time.
You don’t have to see the whole point; you can focus on the critical moments, like the contact, and then the ball bouncing for a winner on the other side.
Take your time, don’t rush, and see the movements exactly as you wish for them to show up when playing a point.
Have fun!
Coach Greg
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