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THE BEST STORIES OF THE GAME, FROM the BEST PLAYERS IN THE GAME, THROUGH THE DEFINING VALUES OF OUR GAME.

This year, we’re taking you even deeper to share more stories and more moments from our archives and our Hall of Famers. Each month we’ll focus on a value that the sport of tennis and its greatest champions embody. From our youtube channel, to our social media feed, our podcast, and our website you’ll find inspirational stories and moments that pull at our heart strings and remind us why we fell in love with this game. The moments that gave us chills, that made us stand in our seats, that made our jaws drop – these are the moments that define our sport.

Mental Toughness:

Mental toughness is the ability to stay resilient when facing challenges or adversity.

This November, we’re celebrating Hall of Famers who exemplified extraordinary mental toughness—both in competition and throughout their journeys beyond the baseline. Mental toughness is the ability to stay focused, stay grounded, and stay driven, even when the moment feels overwhelming. It’s resilience, grit, and belief.

The videos below feature Hall of Famers Andy Roddick, Mary Pierce, and the legendary Tommy Haas as they reflect on the inner strength that shaped their careers. Their stories remind us that while talent can win points, it’s mental toughness that defines a champion.

Andy Roddick, Mental Toughness

It takes a special player to keep faith with himself and his game when he’s down two sets to zero, but Andy Roddick is such a competitor. Despite an early stumble in the 2003 US Open Semifinal, Roddick turned his match around to prove victorious in that contest and the final, demonstrating that confidence creates momentum, which ultimately leads to a win.

Patrick McEnroe and Chris Bowers explore the vital quality of mental toughness with three of tennis' toughest competitors: Hall of Famers Jim Courier, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, and Michael Chang.

Former World No. 1 and 4-time major champion Jim Courier defines mental toughness as the ability to handle pressure and the capacity to compartmentalize and ignore the score, citing Rafael Nadal as a prime example. Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario, former world No. 1 in singles and doubles, emphasizes the importance of her strong physical condition and the desire to give my best and never give up.

Chris Bowers then looks at Michael Chang’s legendary 1989 French Open run, where he overcame extreme cramping and Ivan Lendl by refusing to be a quitter, demonstrating the unwavering mindset needed to win. Learn whether mental toughness is innate or can be developed, and how it separates the top players.

In this insightful episode of the TennisWorthy Podcast, host Patrick McEnroe welcomes special guest Dr. Brian Hainline, an expert on mental health in sports, former Chief Medical Officer of the NCAA and past President of the USTA. Dr. Hainline discusses the critical shift toward prioritizing mental health in athletics, accelerated by the reduced stigma thanks to high-profile athletes like Naomi Osaka and Michael Phelps.

Mental health symptoms and physical health are inseparable, and should be treated with the same urgency, like an ankle sprain. Dr. Hainline also emphasizes the vital role of sleep, noting that sleep deprivation can predict injury and poor performance more than overtraining. They also explore the unique challenges faced by athletes in individual sports like tennis and the importance of recovery and team environments.