1. Some level of fitness is required
2. Physical skills must be developed
3. Developing your mental game is critical

1. Fitness -  The level of brute strength required of tennis isn't as high as, say, most football positions.  However, as in any sport, at any level, better fitness is an advantage.  When taken together with the other two factors, skills and mental approach, a higher level of fitness may be the factor that helps you overcome your opponent.  Improving your fitness is also important to avoid injury.  You cannot win if you're stumbling around the court, even with a backhand better than Stan Smith's (no relation).  Fitness is also an area in which we have some level of control.   On any given day, we cannot guarantee a win, but we can guarantee that we are in the best shape we can be.  We can choose to do donuts or dead lifts.  Some athletes stay in great shape with little effort, while the rest of us have to put in more time.  But until we reach world class, we all recognize the value of improving our fitness level.

2. Skills - Whether it's a forehand or serve, or knowing the proper way to tackle an opponent in football, we have to learn specific skills.  This is achieved using multiple sources.  Learning from a coach or pro is one way.  Reading relevant literature is another.  And just discovering on your own through playing is another method. 

3.

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