In sport
like tennis, situations unfold in seconds. The way we handle them can decide
the outcome. Every situation triggers an emotion and we respond to it, either
with reaction or with response. While
people often use reaction and response interchangeably, they are
very different in nature — and understanding this difference can improve
performance, EQ, and decision-making.
1. What is a Reaction?
A reaction
is an instant, instinctive action to a stimulus.
- It is often emotional
and unfiltered. –
Reaction or response is always under influence of
emotions weather its anger or gratitude. Action we take is always under some or
other emotions. For example player shouting come on loudly on court its in
reaction to emotion he/she got triggered with or play Slamming racquet on court
after unforced error.
- It happens without
conscious thought.-
Reaction happens within micro million second after
an incident takes place so it doesn’t happen consciously it always executed
unconsciously. Mostly we don’t think right or wrong when we react as it’s
automated.
- Reactions are heavily
influenced by habits, conditioning, and immediate feelings.
So when reaction happens unconsciously or automated
then how every person react differently. Specially, in tennis when players
react to certain incident first time they are copying something which they have
seen someone doing. For example ticking ball or hitting ball on fence after
unforced error or losing game, set or match they observe these behaviour of
pros and unknowingly copy it. When players do this pattern of reaction again
and again it becomes a habit and once becomes a habit it executed unconsciously
like automated. Lot of players react strongly even during practice drills or
practice matches. At first we take it lightly as its just practice nothing
serious but in reality they are practicing how they will be reacting in matches
in similar situations. Lot of players argue badly on line calls during practice
matches when actually they are playing a practice match nothing important but
this habit makes them doubt every call given by their opponent during matches and
they get trigger by anger emotion.
Strengths
of reactions:
- They are quick and essential
in emergencies.
- They can save lives in
situations where milliseconds matter.
- They can be practiced, right
way to react can be consciously practice and master.
Weaknesses
of reactions:
- They may be impulsive and
poorly judged.
- They can escalate conflicts
or lead to mistakes.
- They are outcome of
unsolicited emotion many times.
2. What is a Response?
A response
is a considered, deliberate action after assessing the situation. Response
is action taken with conscious mind after doing sufficient of analysis of
situation.
- It involves thinking
before acting.-
Thinking well can be a good preparation for next
step. For example a opponent smash second serve and rather than getting angry
players think and do analysis of situation and next time make a high percent
first serve or place second serve in a manner that it will be difficult to
smash.
- It’s often rational
and aligned with long-term goals.
Since response is always a thoughtful action so
it’s many times aligns with a plan or a strategy or a goal. For example while
serving a second serve u toss a ball and provoke her opponent to attach and put
her into a mindset of finishing point early and then capitalise it in followed
points.
- It may take more time, but
it improves quality of decisions.
- Like reaction response as
well can be practiced for certain situation. For example a response to a
game situation when u r serving 0-40 or 2-5 down. This kind of deliberate
practice helps players to response than react but it’s not a skill to be
acquired in day or so. How to respond to certain likely encounter
situations take time to automate, it requires lot of practice. For example
everyone knows one should not lose temper on line calls but how many
really can do it? Because it’s not practiced sufficiently. Another example
is to maintain composure when momentum is against you. A tennis player
slowing the rally, choosing a high-percentage shot instead of going for a
risky winner.
Strengths
of responses:
- They reduce the risk of
regret, as it is a thoughtful decision.
- They align with strategy and
purpose. Especially they help to improve overall thinking habit in tennis
players.
- They promote emotional
control and it’s a most important in tennis matches. Tennis matches are 40
to 70 percent mental anything that helps to take stable mind is useful for
tennis players.
Weaknesses
of responses:
- They may be too slow in
situations requiring instant action.
- Over thinking can be the
case .
3. Reaction vs Response in tennis
In
high-speed sports like tennis, both have their place.
- Reaction is needed to return a serve
— there’s no time for deep thought. Core tennis part like FH, BH or
direction or shot selection should be executed unconsciously without much
thinking just by trusting u r ability.
- Response comes into play between
points — deciding whether to change tactics, slow the pace, or attack a
weakness.
Professional
players train their instinctive reactions for speed, but also strengthen
their response ability for smarter play under pressure and difficult
situations.
4. How to Improve Responses without losing Reaction
Speed
- Pause and Breathe — In non-urgent situations,
a small pause can prevent rash action.
- Train Under Pressure — Drills in sports or
role-play in life can make your fast reactions better and more accurate.
- Review and Reflect — After matches,
conversations, or important decisions, think about whether you reacted or
responded — and the result.
- Strengthen Emotional Control — Meditation, mindfulness,
and mental conditioning can create space between trigger and action.
- Know Your Triggers — Awareness of what sets
you off allows you to choose response over reaction.
5. Important to understand
- Reaction is fast, instinctive, and
vital in emergencies — but it can be emotional and short-sighted.
- Response is thoughtful, strategic,
and controlled — but can be slower.
- The real skill knows when
to react and when to respond.
In tennis,
the balance between the two can be the difference between winning and losing.
