Tennis is often described as a sport played as much with the mind as with the body. Every point brings pressure, uncertainty, and the challenge of responding with clarity and composure. In this battle, the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita—one of the greatest spiritual and philosophical texts—offer timeless wisdom that can significantly improve the mental aspect of tennis.
The Gita teaches that true victory lies not just in defeating an opponent but in mastering the self. For a tennis player, that mastery is the foundation of consistent performance, resilience, and ultimately, joy in the game.
1. Detachment from Results: Focus on the Process
In the Gita, Lord Krishna advises:
“कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥”
(Chapter 2, Verse 47)
“You have the right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of actions. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.”
Applied to tennis, this means focusing in daily sessions. Don’t think about the results you produce during tournaments focus on your daily practice session focus on improvement skills and being good human being. When you trust the process and focus on practice and intensity you give during practice results are bound to come. During matches focus on playing each point to the best of your ability rather than obsessing about the score, winning, or losing.
Its as well teaches us to control the controllable than trying to control something which is not in your control. The result of the match is not in your control but giving your best in all areas is in your control.
2. Staying Balanced in Victory and Defeat
The Gita emphasizes:
“सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ ।
ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्स्यसि ॥”
(Chapter 2, Verse 38)
“Treat pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat alike, and then engage in battle; thus you will not incur sin.”
For tennis, this means staying composed whether you hit an ace or make an error. True mastery lies in balance. Tennis matches never ends in draw or when both players win, there will be only one winner end of the day. Don’t get too much carried away by wins and don’t get so much deprived with losses as win and loses are part of the game. In professional circuit tournaments played every week, today you are winner and tomorrow u may out in first round. Learn and practice to stay composed in both situations. Good and bad are comparative bases, you are good than someone and needs to improve when compare to other. Don’t develop or build ego that you are the best in business. Always stay grounded.
3. Conquering Fear and Doubt
When Arjuna is overcome with doubt, Krishna says:
“क्लैब्यं मा स्म गमः पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते
।
क्षुद्रं हृदयदौर्बल्यं त्यक्त्वोत्तिष्ठ
परन्तप ॥”
(Chapter 2, Verse 3)
“Do not yield to cowardice, O Partha (Arjuna). It does not become you. Cast off this petty weakness of heart and arise, O scorcher of enemies.”
This directly relates to tennis players who face fear of failure. Courage and self-belief must replace hesitation and fear. As well, replace doubts and fear with self trust and process. Understand well, no matter what happen, you will always be as good as you prepared and practice.
Important thing to understand that we humans are born with only 2 fears one noise and second height rest all fear are induced by surrounding and people around us. Fear of losing is induced and it’s not natural. If we appreciate efforts than outcomes from early childhood kids will never have fear of losing. Parents should scold their children for not giving 100% during practice or not being enough discipline but not on outcome of match.
4. Discipline and Self-Mastery
Krishna explains the importance of self-control:
“उद्धरेदात्मनाऽत्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् ।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ॥”
(Chapter 6, Verse 5)
“One must elevate, not degrade, oneself by one’s own mind. The mind alone is both the friend and the enemy of the self.”
In tennis matches you always play against major 2 opponent one the players on other side and second its you. Lot of times it results in you verses you. Your own mind can be your strongest weapon or your biggest weakness. Discipline ensures the mind is your ally.
What others have opinion about you does matter to some extend but what you think about self matters the most. Your internal communication matter most, either u lift yourself up or you push yourself down. Its important how and what you talk to yourself. During practice no harm in being u r own critic but during matches be u r first and best supporter.
5. Playing with Purpose and Devotion
Krishna teaches about dedicating action without attachment:
“योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय ।
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते
॥”
(Chapter 2, Verse 48)
“Perform your duty, O Arjuna, being steadfast in yoga, abandoning attachment, and remaining even-minded in success and failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.”
Tennis players, who play with devotion to the game itself, rather than just trophies, find deeper fulfilment and resilience. Ask yourself a question why I am playing tennis and stay with the purpose than outcomes. When u r clear with purpose short term success or failure won’t distract you as u r focused on purpose. Another important learning is staying calm and composed during matches.
5. Doing your duty a dharma
Krishna teaches about performing own duties:
अथ चैत्त्वमिमं धर्म्यं संग्रामं न करिष्यसि।
ततः स्वधर्मं कीर्तिं च हित्वा पापमवाप्स्यसि।।2.33।।
(Chapter 2, Verse 31)
“Is a warning to Arjuna from Krishna, emphasizing that refusing
to participate in the righteous battle (Dharma Yuddha) would be a dereliction
of his duty as a warrior (Kshatriya) and would lead to negative consequences.” Arjuna
didn’t wanted to fight as on other side his guru, relatives etc there and he
didn’t wanted to fight against own family members.
In tennis matches you may have a situation when your brother
or sister or your best friend is your opponent but as a player its your
responsibility to play and give your 100%. Your friendship or relation is
outside the court but once match start he/she is your opponent.
Understand well -
The battlefield of Kurukshetra, where the Bhagavad Gita was spoken, is not unlike the tennis court: both demand courage, clarity, and composure under pressure. By internalizing its teachings—detachment from results, equanimity, conquering fear, discipline, and purposeful action—players can transform their mental game.
