Power of Belief

The more I step out on court and play matches, the more I figure out ways to be successful. Throughout that time, I have tried many different mental techniques, breathing practices, mantras, and more, but lately there has been one approach to matches that sets me up for success.

In the next couple of minutes, I will walk you through what that approach is, what it does for me, and how you can get into that mindset or zone of playing.

*The Mental Framework*

If I had to describe this method as simply as I can, it is a combination of unshakable, borderline-delusional belief in yourself, with the ability to focus on yourself, your negative thoughts and your self-doubts, being able to confront them face-on and defeat that fear by looking at the bigger picture. It's a mental framework that allows you to tap into your darkness and pull out your most competitive self, which automatically puts you in the best position to win, because you turn into one tough competitor who gives nothing for free to the opponent. It's a state of mind that is detached from the outcome and the end result, and rooted in execution with no fear. Full commitment to something you set out to do, and belief that it will work out.

When those components of mental preparation meet your physical preparation, things align, and all of a sudden a new level of tennis unlocks right in front of your eyes. You are able to turn on that next gear that you always had inside of you but were too fearful to access.

*Story One: The Stag-Hen Tournament*

Throughout this essay, I will provide a couple of personal stories and experiences that capture the power of belief and showcase it in different aspects of performance. Here is the first story.

During this year's spring break trip, my teammates and I were playing in the final of the Stag-Hen tournament, organized annually in Claremont, California, at the CMS courts. We were playing against CMS, who at the time were ranked #1 in the country and had the home-court advantage. The score was tied at 3–3 matches, and my teammate Eren Cheung was playing a third set to decide the winner of the tournament.

At the beginning of the third set, the most unthinkable thing happened. As Eren was running for a ball, he stepped wrong and sprained his ankle pretty badly. He barely got up and, limping, went to sit on the bench. Things weren't looking good. The physio wrapped his ankle and gave him some painkillers. He was in visible pain, judging by his facial expressions.

He got up after the medical timeout and went back on court, still limping. It was written in his eyes that there was no hope of winning. His mind, I am sure, was full of thoughts like: Why did this happen to me? There is no way I can do it. This is too painful. After losing a couple of points in a row, it seemed hopeless. But right there, something inside of me screamed, DO NOT GIVE UP! I rallied my teammates, and we began cheering for Eren louder, with passion and desperation. We needed him to stay in the fight and not give up, because we knew that was the only way we had any chance.

Eren listened. He began making more balls in the court, putting pressure on the opponent, and managed to win a couple of points, stabilizing the match. There was still that sense of hopelessness, but at least Eren was fighting. Before and after every point, we were cheering him on, and I was shouting, telling him to keep going and that it would work out - that he had to believe it. Every single point, I was saying those things, trying to spark hope and belief in him.

As the match went on, Eren got the message. His look changed from a victim mentality, someone with a hopeless outlook, to someone with hope in his eyes. That hope, through repetition and belief, turned into confidence. By the end of the match, Eren was unrecognizable. He was a transformed man. The belief in him and in one another spread throughout all of my teammates - we were all ONE. I had a feeling of connectedness that is indescribable. My heart felt open, emitting belief in my teammate, and it only kept growing stronger. It reached a point where I had never believed that strongly in anything before in my life.

I hope everyone can experience something like this at least once in their life, because I guarantee you - it was one of the most magical moments in my college career. Eren won the match, and we celebrated like crazy, but that is not the key of this story. The process of getting to that win is what matters. The spark that comes from refusing to give up, fighting with everything you have, and believing with all your heart that you can do it - that is the key to success. This is the formula I have been searching for, because when I do those things, I put myself in the mindset that gives me the best chance for success. I turn into a warrior, and I feel like I can do anything I set my mind to.

A huge part of success comes down to having borderline-delusional belief in yourself and in others — that things will work out.

*Building Belief From Small Wins*

So you might ask, how do I begin believing in something that I currently don't? Here is the key: start really, really small. Focus on something within reach. For example, in tennis, focus on giving your absolute best effort in the next point. Don't think about the score or the outcome. Evaluate yourself based on this question: Did I give my absolute best this point? If the answer is yes, then you succeeded. Now go do it again. And again. And again. Over time, you will notice exponential improvement within a single match. And if you repeat this in practice, in matches, and in tournaments, suddenly the sky becomes the limit.

*Story Two: Overcoming Doubt at the Net*

Historically, I have been a strong volleyer, especially in doubles. However, for a period of time, I felt lost and not confident in that part of my game, which made me doubt myself deeply. During one of my recent doubles matches, I was again in my head, unable to time my split step properly, allowing balls to pass me.

It came down to the last few points in a tiebreak that would decide the match. At that moment, I had enough of being scared and doubtful. I faced the fear in my stomach with conviction and belief that I would be brave and fearless, not caring about the outcome. And just like that, things started going my way. I felt incredibly confident, not because I won the match, but because I had no fear in my heart.

That's when I was reminded of the saying: "Fortune favors the bold." There is real power in that. Overcoming fear and doubt is a major part of success. It's never easy, you will always feel fear, but the key is learning how to act despite it. To do that, you must detach from the outcome and commit fully to the brave action, whether that's going for a big serve or making an aggressive move at the net.

I have had many experiences like this, both before and after, but taking the time to reflect on them and write them down is powerful. It anchors you. It gives you something to fall back on when you feel fear. It gives you the solution.

*The Bottom Line*

At the end of the day, belief is not something you either have or don't have - it is something you build, reinforce, and choose in every moment. Whether it's through refusing to give up, supporting others, or facing your own fear head-on, belief is what allows you to unlock a higher level within yourself. The moments that define us are not when everything goes perfectly, but when things fall apart and we still decide to fight, to trust, and to commit.

If you can train yourself to believe in those moments, truly believe, then you give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed, not only in tennis, but in anything you pursue in life.