Hi {{first name |there}},

You know the feeling: you play your best in practice, then, when it matters, everything falls apart! This week, we’re sharing the psychology behind why tennis players choke under pressure and a proven method for fixing it!

On the fashion front, we’ve rounded up 25 of the very best tennis dresses, from classic to colorful, sun-protective and eco-conscious, to adorable Mommy-and-me!

In case you missed it, September’s most popular articles were:

🕵️‍♀️Finally, here’s a timely trivia question: Which American Wimbledon champion went on to break barriers in a second sport?! Scroll down to the link list for the answer—and why it’s relevant this week…

Welcome to the club; we’re so glad you’re here.
Team Tennisette
P.S.: If you enjoy Tennisette, here’s a super-easy way to help us grow!🎾

Why Tennis Players Choke Under Pressure — And How to Fix It

The experience is universal: you play well in practice or in a relaxed social game, and then, when it matters —the deciding set, the match point, the tiebreak—something shifts.

Your feet get heavier. Your swing shortens. Shots that were finding their marks start finding the tape.

The technique is there. The knowledge is there. So why does neither show up when it counts?

Why it happens

W. Timothy Gallwey wrote The Inner Game of Tennis in 1974, and its central idea has shaped the way sports psychologists talk about pressure for over 50 years. Gallwey explains that two personas dominate our actions: Self 1 and Self 2.

Self 1 is the voice in your head that instructs, critiques, and worries. It's saying keep your racquet back mid-swing, or don't double fault right before a serve, or you always hit it right to the net player as you’re preparing to return serve. Self 1 believes it's helping. It thinks a body under enough verbal supervision will perform better.

Self 2 is everything else: the actual physical intelligence that already knows how to hit a tennis ball, built through practice and repetition. Self 2 doesn't need instructions. It needs to be left alone to do what it has already learned.

Gallwey's theory is that Self 1 is rarely helping and is often the entire problem. Most players assume a bad shot means they need to think harder about their technique.

Gallwey argues the opposite: thinking is usually what gets in the way.

How to fix it

Gallwey’s prescription is not to care less — it is to shift the object of caring.

Instead of intensely focusing on the outcome of the point — whether the ball goes in, whether the game is won — focus on the process.

Watch the ball. Feel your feet on the court. Approach the point with genuine curiosity about what will happen rather than fearing what might go wrong.

The shift is subtle, and its effect is profound: fear is oriented toward the future, and curiosity is anchored in the present. You can't play tennis in the future. You can only play it in the moment.

Here’s one practical trick to try before a big point:

Game On: The 25 Best Tennis Dresses, from Classic to Mommy-and-Me

A tennis dress is always a winning strategy for ease and elegance, and we’ve researched the best sporty-chic brands to bring you 25 tournament-ready dresses to upgrade your game. We look for high-performance fabrics with superior stretch and sweat-wicking that hold their shape; size inclusivity and availability; and we love recommending women-founded brands!

From classic whites and eco-conscious fabrics to well-priced options that hold up after many washes, these dresses guarantee you’ll play in style.

Classic

Best Value

Colorful

Retro

Sun Protection

Eco-Conscious

Mommy and Me

In Case You Missed It…

Tournament Calendar