There’s something revealing about the way a player warms up before their first match at a tournament. You can see it in their rhythm, in the bounce of their feet, in how they organize their time. Some players are already in the match. Others are just waking up.
The match doesn’t begin with the first serve. It begins in the parking lot, in the first stretch, in the first quiet breath before stepping on court. The warm-up is not just about getting the body loose. It’s about finding your way into the game. It’s a rehearsal for rhythm, movement, timing, and mindset. And when done with intention, it’s a powerful tool.
But far too often in junior tennis, the warm-up is treated like a formality. Players rush through their strokes. Hit a few serves. Check the boxes. But they’re not paying attention. They’re not tuning in. And then the match starts and they’re not ready. Timing is off. Decision-making is slow. The body is tense. The brain is still catching up.
Here’s a better way to think about it: the warm-up is your first chance to create a connection to the court, to your strokes, and to your own sense of feel. It’s not about how many balls you hit. It’s about how well you notice what’s happening. Is the ball coming on fast? Is the court slow? Are your legs feeling tight? What does your first serve feel like today?
The players who warm up well are not just physically prepared. They’re mentally ahead. They’ve already started adjusting. They’re already solving the puzzle. And when the match begins, they’re not guessing, they’re responding.
So the next time you get to your tournament, ask yourself: am I getting ready just to play, or am I already playing?
The best competitors know the difference, and it shows from the very first point.
