Mental strength in tennis: Boris Becker on focus, defeats and self-confidence

Last modified on7 July 2025

If you want to be successful in tennis, you need more than just a strong forehand. The true champions are characterized by mental strength - especially in decisive moments. In an exclusive interview, tennis legend Boris Becker talks about the fine line between victory and defeat, his personal rituals, how to deal with defeat and why mental discipline is often the key to success. A must-read for all tennis fans, players and coaches who want to know what really lies behind strong nerves.

🎯 "It's not technology that wins, but nerves" - the importance of mental strength

Stefan: You were always someone who was known for having nerves of steel. How did you manage to stay calm in matches, even though you're probably not always calm on the court?

Boris: Yes, mental strength - many people talk about it, but very few really know what it is. It's a bit like living between heaven and hell. When you're in a tie-break in the third set or in the final of a big tournament, the winner is always the one who can hold their nerve and not lose their nerve. It's always so easy to say that, but that's actually the difference! It's not the forehand or the serve, but the one who stays with himself.

🧘 Rituals & discipline: how Boris Becker trains mental strength

Stefan: Did you have a particular ritual to keep your focus?

Boris: Yes, you can train that too. It's about the ability to concentrate and mental discipline. If you only start doing it in the match, it's too late. It has to be part of your everyday life - how you go about your daily routine, how you train and how you live. You can even train your nerves in traffic jams. There are many ways to strengthen yourself mentally.

🥊 Dealing with defeat: pain, lessons and new opportunities

Stefan: It's a really exciting topic. You've already mentioned it, when you're in the Grand Slam final, it's a particularly challenging situation - the French Open final wasn't that long ago, when Jannik Sinner looked like the sure winner for a long time, but in the end he left the court as the loser. How did you deal with painful defeats?

Boris: The final in Paris at the French Open was one of the best Grand Slam finals I've seen. It was nerve-wracking! Of course you also feel sorry for Jannik Sinner. He was leading 2:0 in sets, had three match points in the third set, but Carlos Alcaraz played his best tennis in the decisive moments. How does that work? It has a lot to do with instinct and heart. I've been in ten Grand Slam finals, lost four - that hurts and you have to chew on it for a long time to find out the reasons and hopefully do better next time.

Stefan: Is there a painful defeat that immediately comes to mind?

Boris: Yes, I particularly remember a match at a big clay court tournament in Monte Carlo against Thomas Muster, which I lost despite leading 2:0 and holding match points. You never completely forget defeats like that. Whenever I see Thomas, he always puts it on my sandwich and asks: "Do you remember Boris back then?" - No, I feel for him, it's brutal and you can never fully digest it.

🧠 Mental coaches & psychology in tennis - then and now

Stefan: Many people nowadays have a mental coach, a psychologist. What was it like back then? Was it similar? Is this a topic that has only really become relevant now or has it always been an issue?

Boris: In my day, when I came out well - in 1985, the world number 1 was Ivan Lendl. He had a psychologist, paid attention to nutrition and fitness - that was the first real tennis pro. Today, mental support is even more important, but many players don't use it enough. If you reach the final, you don't lose because of your backhand - but because of your mental state. Psychological support can be crucial, but is often not always publicized and that's perfectly fine.

👀 Competition, mind games and self-confidence at a young age

Stefan: As a player, do you also observe the behavior of the competition?

Boris: Sure. Tennis is perhaps the only sport where you change, dress and shower right next to your opponent. You're constantly watching yourself - consciously or unconsciously. On the other hand, there is a lot of media and press conferences. I also see that the players often don't really say how they're feeling - and that's a good thing. Not everyone needs to know. There's a lot of poker, that's what we did back then. That's part of it.

"I know who I am, I'll deliver my performance and now have fun if you want to beat me at it" - Boris Becker

Stefan: What was it like for you to sit in the Wimbledon dressing room at 17?

Boris: I wouldn't have won Wimbledon without self-confidence. I think that's part of my personality and my character, that's how I was brought up. I was confident in myself - not arrogant or cocky, but confident. I performed well and if someone was better, that was okay. But I was never afraid of my own courage.

Mental strength is the real key to success in tennis

Whether it's the Wimbledon final or a club tournament - mental strength often makes the difference between winning and losing. In this interview, Boris Becker shows that it's not just about talent, but also about discipline, focus and self-confidence. Those who prepare mentally not only win matches, but also develop as a person. A strong head is at least as important in tennis as a strong arm.

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