[Sammo]

Mines are trying to eliminate the surroundings of the tennis court from my mind and subsequently focusing on the court, focusing on my footwork and racquethead speed (learnt that from Rennae Stubbs) and thinking of my opponent as some kind of animated mannequin with a particular game style

Yours?

[Sean.]

I only tend to lose concentration when returning, because I'm not playing at my own rhythm. So I have a couple of things that I do.

I do the same as you with my footwork, especially really concentrating on my weight going forward through the shot - for some reason this helps. I've found thinking about my swing (i.e. racquet speed) has the opposite effect as I second guess myself and either start to under hit or overhit.

It's kind of hard to describe but another thing that sometimes works for me is to get into position for the return before the opponent is ready to serve and just stand still and wait. Jumping up and down or turning my back and walking around, etc. just distracts me. Somehow this makes me feel that things are on my own terms and I have nothing else to do but concentrate on the coming serve.

[Break My Rapture]

Originally Posted by Sean.

I only tend to lose concentration when returning, because I'm not playing at my own rhythm. So I have a couple of things that I do.

I do the same as you with my footwork, especially really concentrating on my weight going forward through the shot - for some reason this helps. I've found thinking about my swing (i.e. racquet speed) has the opposite effect as I second guess myself and either start to under hit or overhit.

It's kind of hard to describe but another thing that sometimes works for me is to get into position for the return before the opponent is ready to serve and just stand still and wait. Jumping up and down or turning my back and walking around, etc. just distracts me. Somehow this makes me feel that things are on my own terms and I have nothing else to do but concentrate on the coming serve.

I agree, I do that too.

Many people adjust their strings, but that hurts my fingers too much after a while.

[Sean.]

Originally Posted by Desuetude

I agree, I do that too.

Many people adjust their strings, but that hurts my fingers too much after a while.

Sometimes I don't move AT ALL, until the guy starts his service motion.

[Lachy]

Walk to back of court, face the fence and adjust my strings And also tap my leg as I'm waiting to return helps me focus

[cowsonice]

I look down at my racket and play with my strings as well