TRACK YOUR GAME
Your Tennis Journal: The Coach in Your Bag
Memory is a poor coach. A week after a match you will remember the double fault on set point but not that your backhand return was solid all day. A tennis journal captures what really happened so you can see patterns, measure progress and walk into every session with a purpose. Every serious player I have worked with keeps one in some form.
WHY BOTHER
Why Keep a Journal
See patterns
Notice which shots break down under pressure, which opponents trouble you and what conditions you play best in.
Practice with purpose
Turn match lessons into specific practice goals instead of hitting balls aimlessly.
Build confidence
A written record of improvement is hard evidence on days when doubt creeps in.
WHAT TO WRITE
What to Track
- Practice: what you worked on, drills, rough ball counts or durations, and one thing that clicked.
- Matches: opponent, score, surface, conditions, your game plan, what worked and what did not.
- Scouting notes: opponents’ strengths, weaknesses, favorite patterns and how they behave under pressure.
- Feelings: energy, nerves, mood and focus before and during play, and what helped you reset.
- Goals: weekly and seasonal goals, with progress notes.
- Fitness: strength and conditioning sessions, sleep, soreness and any niggles worth watching.
Sample post-match entry
Opponent: lefty baseliner, heavy forehand. Score: lost 4–6, 6–3, 5–7. Surface: hard, windy.
Plan: serve to the backhand, attack short balls. Worked: body serves on the ad side; crosscourt backhand rally held up. Didn’t work: went for too much on second-serve returns at 5–5. Feelings: tight in the third set, rushed between points. Next week: practice return-plus-one patterns and the 4 R’s routine in practice sets.
Sample scouting note
Big first serve wide on the deuce side; second serve sits up to the forehand. Moves well side to side but is uncomfortable coming forward. Gets frustrated after long rallies. Plan: chip low returns short, make them play extra balls, mix in slices.
EVERY SUNDAY
Weekly Review Prompts
- What went well? List three specific wins from the week, on court or off.
- What did I learn? One lesson from a match or practice you want to keep.
- Where did I struggle? Name the shot, situation or mindset, without judgment.
- How did my body feel? Energy, sleep, soreness. Do I need more recovery?
- What is my focus next week? Choose one or two priorities and schedule them.
AIM WELL
Goal Setting That Works
Good goals are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. “Get better at serving” is a wish. “Make 65% of first serves in practice sets by the end of the month” is a goal.
The result
Win the club championship, reach a new rating. Motivating, but not fully in your control.
The numbers
First-serve percentage, unforced errors per set. More controllable and easy to measure.
The actions
Run my between-point routine every point; split step on every ball. Fully in your control.
| Season goal | Performance goal | Process goal |
|---|---|---|
| Move up one league level | Win 60% of second-serve points | Hit 50 kick serves after every practice |
| Make the varsity top six | Cut unforced errors per set to under 10 | Aim one meter inside the lines in rally drills |
| Play a full tournament without fading | Finish conditioning tests faster each month | Two strength sessions every week |
Set one outcome goal for the season, then build performance and process goals underneath it. On match day, focus on process goals; they keep you present.
PREFER PAPER?
Printable Template
Like writing by hand? Our one-page printable template includes a session header (date, type, surface, duration), a match box (opponent, score, game plan), three “what worked” lines, two “work on” lines, an energy and mood scale from 1 to 5, and a weekly goal tracker on the back. Print a stack and keep them in your bag. Or use the digital journal below, which works on your phone courtside.
Pair your journal with our mental game routines and fitness plans to see how training, mindset and results connect.
START NOW
Your Digital Tennis Journal
📓 My Tennis Journal
Entries are saved privately in this browser only. Use Export to back them up.
FAQ
Journal Questions
Is my data private?
Yes. Your journal entries are saved only in your own browser on the device you use. They are not sent to or stored on Big Tennis servers. That also means clearing your browser data or switching devices will not carry your entries over, so export or print anything you want to keep.
How often should I write?
After every match and most practices, plus a short weekly review. Consistency matters more than length.
Can parents keep a journal for junior players?
Parents can help young players log practices and matches, but let the player write their own feelings and goals as soon as they are able. Ownership is part of the benefit.
Should I share it with my coach?
If you work with a coach, sharing match notes and weekly reviews helps them plan lessons around what you actually need.