Smart Tennis: Mastering the Mental Game with Dr. John F. Murray
“The game with yourself is often tougher than the battle against any opponent.” This insight from Lindsay Davenport, world #1 and Wimbledon Champion, captures the essence of Smart Tennis. Whether you are a top-ranked pro or a dedicated club player, your success on the court is determined by winning the “inner match.”
The Legacy of “Mental Equipment” and the Tennis Server
Before sports psychology was a staple of the ATP and WTA tours, it was being pioneered right here. From 1995 to 2002, Dr. John F. Murray authored the “Mental Equipment” column for the Tennis Server, the world’s first and most influential online tennis resource.
Publisher Cliff Kurtzman noted that “Mental Equipment” was the most popular column in the history of the site. When the principles from those columns were codified into the book Smart Tennis: How to Play and Win the Mental Game, it became the best-selling tennis book in the history of the Tennis Server’s online bookstore. This page serves as the modern home for that archive and the continued evolution of the Smart Tennis methodology.
World-Class Endorsements for Smart Tennis
The Smart Tennis approach is vetted by the legends of the game. It is the only mental game blueprint with this level of “social proof” from the pinnacle of the sport:
- Lindsay Davenport (World #1 & Wimbledon Champ): “Smart Tennis shows you how to win the inner match while having fun along the way.”
- Vic Braden (Tennis Legend & Media Icon): “A must for players at all levels… An outstanding book for understanding and improving your mental game.”
- E. Paul Roetert, Ph.D. (USTA Sports Science): “An excellent book of psychological skills that can be immediately applied on the tennis court.”
- David Higdon (Editor, Tennis Magazine): “If you ever want to use the title of this book to describe how you played your last match, then Smart Tennis is for you.”
The 6 Pillars of the Smart Tennis Methodology
Derived from decades of clinical research and on-court coaching, the Smart Tennis system focuses on the psychological skills that separate champions from the rest of the pack:
- Attention Control: Master the ability to stay in the “here and now,” ignoring distractions and pressure.
- Imagery & Visualization: Use your “mind-body time machine” to rehearse success before the first serve.
- Confidence Building: Develop a bulletproof expectation of success that isn’t shaken by a double fault.
- Energy Management: Find your “Ideal Performance State” to balance intensity and relaxation.
- Goal Setting: Translate your ambitions into a precise, actionable roadmap for improvement.
- Competition Management: Learn the strategic “Smart Tennis” way to navigate the psychological ebb and flow of a match.
Over 30 Years of Tennis Psychology Leadership
Dr. Murray’s work has educated generations of players through more than 100 articles in Tennis Magazine, Florida Tennis, and Long Island Tennis Magazine. This deep history of contribution ensures that when you engage with the Smart Tennis approach, you are learning from a foundation of proven results and unmatched authority.
Ready to Elevate Your Mental Game?
Don’t let another match slip away due to mental fatigue or loss of focus. Whether you are looking for individual coaching, a keynote speaker for your next event, or a team workshop, Dr. John F. Murray provides the elite-level insights used by world-class champions.
Start Winning the Inner Match Today
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Contact Dr. John F. Murray at 561-596-9898 or visit our Contact Page to schedule your session.