I would like to come up a simple "practical mental plan" that will allow the competitive tennis player to walk onto the match, with a clear idea about how they should think, and feel, to perform better and, to achieve  more positive results when competing.  Following, I will summarize, what I call "The Five Keys to win more matches"

Key Number 1:  To understand very well our capabilities and liabilities. I do mean, what we can do well and, what we cannot do well on the tennis court.Likes and dislikes. Especially, on the technical side.We should  play the shots that we do possess, without trying to "invent" or create something that we never use, or we don't feel confident that given day during the match.

Key Number 2: Early during the encounter, try to find out, what are the opponent strengths are weaknesses. The capacity to "discover" these elements are according to me a SIGNATURE of a true good competitor!

Key Number 3:Knowing how to impose our strengths will be a major advantage to establish the dominance on that match. What if you cannot do it? Simple! Just to hang in there, fighting and, playing a solid  game, it would probably be enough to try to win, or at least to survive...
 
Key Number 4: Knowing how to grab the "momentum" is a tremendously important intangible element to consider when competing. Understanding the score, the emotional flaw of the match , and more importantly, taking advantage of the opportunities that we always have available in every match.

Key Number 5: The capacity to overcome the adversity, crisis and, bad times  are perhaps the trademark of great competitors! There will be always tough time during a match! The ability to keep  our composure, to stay positive and optimistic; when things aren't going well, it would probably determine the positive outcome of the match.

Just keep in mind; competing is learning how to survive; is understanding how to impose our game and how to hurt the opponent taking them out of their comfort zone! Have fun competing!