Alright, so let me tell you about this whole “f tenti tennis” phase I went through. It wasn’t some pro-level training, trust me, just me trying to figure stuff out on the court because, frankly, I was playing like a confused octopus.
My game was just… all over the place. I’d be there, racquet in hand, and my mind would be thinking about what’s for dinner, or that email I forgot to send. The ball would whizz past, and I’d just stare blankly. My coach, bless him, kept saying, “Watch the ball! Focus!” Easier said than done, mate.
The “F Tenti” Experiment Begins
So, I decided I needed a system, or at least a stupid name for what I was trying to do. That’s where “f tenti tennis” came in. Don’t ask me why “f tenti,” it just popped into my head. Maybe it sounded vaguely Italian and sophisticated to my frazzled brain. The idea was simple: extreme, almost ridiculous, focus.
First attempts were a bit comical. I’d get on the court and try to literally burn a hole in the ball with my eyes. I’d squint, I’d mutter “f tenti, f tenti” under my breath. My hitting partner probably thought I was having some sort of episode.
My steps were:
- Get to the court earlier than usual. Needed to clear my head, you see.
- Before even picking up a racquet, I’d just sit and watch other people play, trying to only follow the ball.
- Then, during my warm-up, I’d exaggerate every movement, trying to feel every muscle. Over-the-top, I know.
- Serving was the big test. I’d bounce the ball, take a deep breath, and try to blank out everything – the noise, the guy in the next court, my own stupid thoughts – everything but that fuzzy yellow thing.
Honestly, for the first few sessions, it was a disaster. I was so busy trying to be “f tenti” that I was stiffer than a board. I was overthinking everything. I’d hit the ball, and instead of it going over the net, it’d rocket off to Narnia. My frustration levels were through the roof. I almost chucked the whole idea in the bin.
A Glimmer of… Something
But then, something funny happened. I was about to give up, just play normally, and I think because I relaxed a bit, a little bit of that “f tenti” thing actually clicked without me forcing it. I saw the ball a tiny bit clearer. My swing felt a fraction smoother. It wasn’t a miracle, mind you. I still duffed plenty of shots.
What I started doing differently was less about the “intense staring” and more about a pre-shot routine. I’d take a specific number of breaths. I’d try to quiet the inner chatter. It became less about a weird mantra and more about a mental checklist.
- Quiet the mind.
- See the ball.
- Trust the swing (this was the hardest part).
Slowly, very slowly, I started to see some improvement. Not in a “wow, I’m ready for Wimbledon” kind of way. More like, “hey, I’m actually hitting the ball in the court more often” kind of way. The biggest thing was, I wasn’t getting as flustered. If I missed a shot, I’d try to reset and go back to my little “f tenti” routine, instead of spiraling into a pit of tennis despair.
It’s funny, because this whole “f tenti tennis” thing, as daft as it sounds, taught me a bit about just being present. It wasn’t some magic bullet. Most of the time, I’m still just an average player hacking away. But now and then, when I manage to get into that focused little bubble, it feels pretty good. And I guess that’s what practice is all about, right? Just showing up and trying stuff, even if it sounds a bit bonkers at first.
