Talent is Overrated in Tennis — SS #27

I recently received the following comment on one of my YouTube videos:

Here’s my understanding of what the commenter is saying:

Everyone has a “natural” level that can be achieved in a matter of months or even years. It’s based on physical fitness, and if enough time and energy are dedicated to improvement. The commenter goes on to note that professional and elite level players plateau, too, but their plateau is higher because they have “natural” (my quotation marks) attributes required to play higher level tennis—and that he has never seen a rec player improve significantly and that gains are incremental.

While there are some components of this person’s argument that I agree with, philosophically, and from a teaching perspective, I am so at odds with this method of thinking; this idea that we all have a “natural” ceiling and that some players are only good because they have some type of “x-factor” or some other bullshit that clueless commenters dole out when they have a lack of information/knowledge about how to create an environment for improvement.

So in today’s newsletter, we are going to break down why this idea of reaching a “natural” plateau is problematic (not wrong, per se), why I think this way, and how you can continue to improve—I wouldn’t say drastically, but I would say to a solid level—if you are a recreational player.

Talent is Overrated + My Philosophy

Sure, physical skill and talent matter. Genetics and the primordial hand that we’ve been dealt does have a say in our final ability as tennis players.

But as Geoff Colvin argues in his book Talent is Overrated, what separates the truly great from the good isn’t some magical, elusive talent—it’s how they practice. This applies to you, too.

I know for many tennis players hearing this the first time, this concept sounds stupid and dumb. But, please, think critically about how you’ve been practicing for the last few years of your tennis journey… has it been structured, purposeful, challenging, and deliberate? Or a haphazard collection of random baseline games and sets in familiar and comfortable scenarios?

Talent is often glorified, but it’s a far smaller factor than most people think. We’ve all seen recreational players stuck at the same level for a while look incredibly athletic but lack tactical understanding or consistency.

Conversely, I’ve seen players who aren’t “gifted” physically but have outperformed more “talented” opponents because they focused on the right kind of training. This is where Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code comes in.

Coyle discusses how greatness isn’t born but made through deep practice, something that all players—regardless of their “natural” level—can engage in. The process of continually pushing your skills, getting out of your comfort zone, and doing the right type of work is what matters most.

My Philosophy in Coaching: How and What You Practice is Essential

The biggest problem I see with most club, rec, and even aspiring higher-level players is that they don’t know how to practice. They waste hours on the tennis court doing drills that don’t challenge them or playing matches where they just repeat the same mistakes.

Sure, if your goal is simply to get a sweat in and enjoy your time on the tennis court, that’s fine. But if you truly want to improve, this “natural level” idea is nothing more than a limitation imposed by improper training.

What separates elite players from club players is not just physical talent or genetics, but how they approach their practice. Rec players are often missing one key ingredient: deliberate practice.

More than that, it’s often a mindset issue where players believe, “Hey, I’ve been a 3 UTR player for 5 years now… I guess that’s just the level that I’m meant to be at.” And… that goes against the very fiber of my being. In the 1:1 work I do, a lot of it is addressing this erroneous belief and convincing tennis players that, yes, you can improve! But you need structure, feedback, guidance, and deliberate practice. Which leads us to…

Why Your Practice Sucks (Deliberate Practice)

So why do most club players stay at the same level year after year? The answer lies in how they practice. Simply playing more matches or hitting more balls won’t get you to the next level. This is where deliberate practice comes in. Anders Ericsson, the psychologist behind the concept, explains that deliberate practice is structured, purposeful, and designed to push you just beyond your current capabilities. It’s not about mindlessly going through the motions—it’s about setting specific, achievable goals and working on skills that directly translate to improved performance.

For example, a club player might spend hours rallying from the baseline without focusing on movement, shot selection, or even keeping track of their unforced errors.

A player engaging in deliberate practice, on the other hand, would break down their goals, seek feedback, and practice in situations that mimic match play pressure.

Three Things Club Players Get Wrong in Practice:

So as we head towards the end here (still some information to go), and to give you some takeaways that you can work on, these are three things that club players consistently mess up:

1. Lack of Feedback: Many players just hit without feedback. Whether it’s from a coach, a video, or even a self-assessment, you need consistent feedback to identify weaknesses.

2. No Clear Goals: Without specific targets (e.g., increasing your first serve percentage to 70%, being able to consistently land a ball in a zone, speed or spin, etc.), it’s easy to stagnate.

3. Repetition Without Purpose: Hitting 100 forehands is useless if you aren’t focused on improving specific aspects of your stroke or decision-making.

How You Can Improve—Even Drastically

Now that we’ve identified the problem, let’s talk about the solution. If you’re a recreational player who feels stuck, the good news is that you can improve significantly. But it requires a shift in how you approach your tennis training.

Practical Steps to Incorporate Deliberate Practice Into Your Game:

1. Set Specific Goals: Instead of just playing to play, start every session with one or two specific objectives. For example, you might focus on improving your second-serve consistency or working on your defense of wide balls.

2. Create a Feedback Loop: Whether through video analysis or working with a coach, you need to constantly assess what’s working and what isn’t. Self-correction is vital to improvement.

3. Practice Under Pressure: Most rec players can hit well in practice but fall apart during matches. Incorporate drills that simulate match pressure—play points where you’re down 30-40 or need to close out a game. This is just the start of this kind of training!

4. Track Your Progress: Keep a journal or use an app to track your performance. Write down what you worked on, what went well, and what you need to improve next time.

Final Takeaways

To wrap things up, the idea of a “natural level” can be limiting—especially if you’re someone who truly wants to improve.

Yes, we all have some inherent strengths and weaknesses, but the ceiling of our abilities is far higher than most people realize. The key to unlocking that potential isn’t talent or natural ability; it’s creating the right environment for improvement.

Here are the key takeaways for club players. Sorry to give you another list to read, but hey, if you’ve made it this far I figured it can’t hurt.

1. Forget about “natural talent”—focus on how you practice.

2. Be intentional with your training—apply deliberate practice principles.

3. Stay consistent and open to feedback—adjust your goals as you improve. Remember, tennis isn’t about magical transformations. It’s about constant, steady improvement. I hope that’s something you can achieve, regardless of your current level.

And when you’re ready, have a think about working with me. I’d love to help you get past your personal plateau.

P.S.: The Short Set is usually delivered on Mondays—this week, though, it’s Tuesday. Back to regularly scheduled programming next week.