Working with a mental performance coach has helped me understand how to manage my brain and my emotions. I feel that I can now come back when I am down in a set or a match instead of burying myself with negative thoughts and uncomfortable emotions. Working on my mental game completely changed my perspective and I feel more in control of my thoughts, my emotions and my game. It almost feels like my body and mind are now communicating better and they DO get along. The sessions with my MPC are helping me connect with my brain and understand it. Her explanations and analogies opened up a whole new world for me: the world of "optimal performance". Every session opens up a new way on how to get there. It is not an easy road to travel but I am enjoying the journey and not obsessing about the destination. I have learned many tools and strategies that have been very useful and give me the confidence I need to put it all together when I am under pressure and when it really matters. For example: knowing my Ideal Performance States, breathing techniques and benefits, the importance of sleep rest and recovery, understanding anxiety, the pillars of performance, emotional management, ways to measure success, practice mindset vs playing mindset, pre-performance preparation and post-performance reflection. Every tennis player most likely learns the same strokes, same technique, similar tactics, as most coaches are on the same page and teach the same things, but eventually it all boils down to playing my best under pressure and not giving up when I am down because the best point in tennis is the next point. Learning how to be mentally stable and strong is the best way to approach competition.