Jack Newman, the CEO and founder of the Austin Tennis Academy (ATA), was recently on day 13 of an intensive International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament trip with one of the academy's promising young players.
Newman, a USPTA Master Professional and one of the nation's most respected coaches in junior development, shared his insights in a recent LinkedIn post regarding a daily schedule to minimize variables and maximize consistency during an ITF tournament.
"As much as possible, we stick to the same bedtime, wake-up time, breakfast, practice slot, lunch, match warm-up routine, return to the hotel, and dinner—with very few changes to our orders," Newman shared, emphasizing the importance of deliberate structure.
Newman's approach goes beyond mere logistics; it builds mental resilience and high-performance habits. In the unpredictable world of junior tennis, travel fatigue, varying court conditions, and competitive stress can derail even the most talented players.
Newman believes that predictable routines create a foundation of stability. Players learn to focus on what they can control: their preparation, recovery, and mindset.
The regimen includes: - Consistent sleep and wake-up times to regulate circadian rhythms and ensure optimal energy levels. Fixed practice and warm-up routines establish pre-match rituals.
By traveling together, Newman provides hands-on mentorship, reinforcing that success in tennis—and beyond—stems from daily consistency rather than sporadic bursts of brilliance.
As ITF and USTA tournaments progress, a tennis coach's on-court presence serves as both coach and example, demonstrating how routines transform potential into reliable performance.
These trips are as much about character development as they are about competition results—preparing them not only for the next match but also for life's bigger challenges.
For this young athlete, and hundreds of others, the structured routine is not new; it is a continuation of the disciplined environment that Newman has cultivated over twenty years at ATA's facilities in the Texas Hill Country.
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