Improving yourself as a tennis player can involve many different things. A great coach, the latest racket and of course perhaps attendance to a great tennis camp!  

The reality is that some of the most important things a young player can do to improve are in their own hands. There is a phrase being used by coaches in all sports all over the world at the moment. "Control the controllable" this is paramount in individual sports like tennis.

Tennis can test you just as much mentally as well as physically. Each step of a match things are evolving and changing. The score, the conditions, the brilliance of the opponent. Making sure you "control the controllable" is to makes sure the player knows what his or her goals are. Helping them to focus on positive aspects of training or match play they can influence.

Being a naturally talented tennis player can take you far but here are some suggestions for you over the winter what you could focus on that don't require any talent and are relevant to every player regardless of ability:

Passion / Work Ethic / Body Language / Energy / Attitude / Effort
These six attributes can make such a difference to a player. They are commonly spoken about in sport but rarely the point of focus.

If you can focus on these key areas over the winter months, next summer you will be a vastly improved player. Its important to add to these key points two extra areas. Make sure you are "coachable" you listen and engage with your coaches, be willing to adopt new theory or technique. A good example of this would be changing your grip on your serve. It may mean a backward step at first, but long term much better development.

Finally make sure your willing to do "extra". Stay behind after practice and hit that extra basket of serves with your new grip to make the difference and enhance your learning.

Hopefully you will allow these points to make a difference to your game over the winter.  

Remember "control the controllable".

Enjoy practice.