“15-40! There’s no way you can come back!”

“Stay positive, one point at a time” I tell myself.
“How hard can it be to hit the ball in the court?” my voice snarls back.
“Take your time. It is possible.”

I go for my first serve, hoping for an ace.
The ball soars out. The negative voice urges back.
I remember all the times I got my serve in.
Deep breaths, second serve.

The ball lands square in the court.
“Yes! I knew you could do it!”
“The point’s not over. Don’t mess up this next shot.”
I can’t control the negative voice.
“Focus, go for that corner. It’s now or never.”
The ball skips and my opponent stretches.

“Great job! Now you are in it! 30-40, almost to deuce!”
With all the cheering and positivity, my negative voice still urges back.
“You are still down in the point. Pressure.”
I step up to serve and my voices argue.
The process continues to repeat throughout my match.

Tennis is a mental game.