Testimonies

SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME

Dear Dr. Valverde,

So nice to speak to you on Saturday, your influence is already making a difference, Rachel won both age divisions this week-end, beating a player with a ranking much higher than hers! We are anxiously awaiting the program. Thank-you.

Melinda M.

Dear Jorge,

I sorry I haven't been able to email you my assignment that you gave me, we just returned from Kalamazoo. The tips that you gave me to start working on immediately have worked wonderfully. I finished in the top sixteen at Kalamazoo and I have never played with so much confidence.

Hey Jorge:

I am just writing to tell you how I did in my tournament the ojai. I did really well I got to the quarters and I never gave up not one point. My attitude is the best it has ever been and I just wanted to thank you because all this has really been helping me and helping me improve my game I won the other tournament in Utah too. Thanks again jorge! Kristina

Hi, Jorge!

I got your CD’s 5 days ago, and I already have listened to them. I want thank you so much for them, and for helping me to get better mentally, and get better in tennis. They helped me already, and it just fun to listen to them. I hope I will hear from you soon, take care and thanks again. K. M.

Hi Jorge:

I am going to start the 2nd 21 days of the program today. In El Paso (national open), I won my first 2 matches then lost and drop to consolation and won 2 more before I lost again.

I had a good temper, but I still need to work on my inter speech. I never had wanted to get mad. It was aswome. The same thing happens in San Antonio (major zone). I won 2 and lost 1. In the second match my opponent had 3 match points in a row but I fought back and won. I think the system is really working.

Thanks again,

A. B. (11 year old player)

Jorge

Hi, I am Adam L.'s Mom (we met at Copper Bowl). Adam's the very little guy you sat and went through the questionnaire with. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that Adam is still very excited about the program and has been doing the tapes diligently daily. He is giving more attention to his eating habits, and generally just seems more positive and less emotional in his tennis.

I was a bit surprised that at his young age (11) he was so fascinated and interested in the psychology aspect of tennis. He is very motivated to incorporate the things you have taught him.

I am a dentist and have had some education in psychology along the way. I also have a good friend who is has her Ph.D. in psychology and is in private practice- I have learned a lot from her. With this background, I have found your techniques and teaching to make a lot of sense. I believe the mental aspect of training in tennis is undervalued with many players. I wanted to thank you for time and touch base.

Renee E

ONE OF YOUR STUDENTS BECAME MY INSPIRATION

Hi Jorge! How's everything going? Here is a picture of us at Winter Nationals. I just wanted to thank you for everything that you have done for me. You have been such a big part in my march to success in the last two years leading up to my first gold ball in singles. I am so stoked about the future involving my tennis career and your program. It's such an exciting rocess. Anyways, just a short thank you and I can't wait to take this to even more heights. I will be sending you my Winter Nationals script and strokes soon.

Best Wishes,
Ashley Weinhold

TENNIS IS A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

It has been a while since I have sent you an e-mail, so I am going to inform you about my progress. I have found that I have been more alert during an everyday basis. Like my senses are working better than ever. All the negative things that I use to think, those are gone now. With your help I have been able to look at situations on the positive side. Now when I miss a shot I do not dwell on the fact that I missed it, but focus on the fact that it was one point and move on to the next one. The Eight Golden Sequence has been one of the biggest helps to my success in Winter Supernationals in Arizona. The greatest thing that has come out of all of this is that I am enjoying tennis more than I ever had. To me my enjoyment of playing tennis beats all the wins, rankings, and overall success that I have ever had. I just want to say a short thank you, because just recently I have been thinking a lot about what I have compared to what my other peers in tennis have. Many of them I have found don't look at tennis as what it truly is, but as another factor to overcome in life. To me like you said "Tennis is a Celebration of Life." I don't think there is a better way to put it, but that tennis is a celebration of life. Anyway thank you, and let's keep in touch.

Danielle

NOW I AM PLAYING WITHOUT STRESS OR FEAR

Jorge,

Thank you for the articles. I hope you don't mind that I printed them out so I can read them often. The light and sound system is working great. I feel myself more calm and relaxed during matches. I can play big points with no stress or fear. Thanks again for everything!

- Anthony

THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING ON YOUR CRITICAL SITUATIONS

I won easily against a guy who should not have made it to the third round. Then today I played against Lester Cook who played number two for Texas A&M last year. He is a good player and he had a pretty good year this past year in college. I won 4 and 4 and it was a fairly routine match. I broke him early in both sets and served out the rest of the match. It was a good win over a good player in a round that has given me a few problems this year. I have lost in the last round of qualies three times already this year. But I did my critical situations (for those of you who don't know what I am talking about reply back and I will hook you up with The Man, Jorge, so you can get with the program :) I am playing doubles with de Mesa again probably tomorrow but I get a day off from singles so I won't play until Wed. Good luck to everyone who is at Sectionals right now.

Talk to you guys soon,

Tres.

BEST DECISION I EVER MADE REGARDING JESSICA’S TENNIS

Dr. Valverde,

Last weekend, Jessica participated in a 16s tournament just to get some match practice as our focus is still on the 14s division to qualify for the Spring National Tournament in Palm Springs. With a tough 32 draw, we did not have high expectations; our goal was to win a first-round match and then, do the best in the second round. In her first match, Jessica played poorly but managed to win by a lopsided score. Luckily, her opponent was not very strong. In the second round the next day, Jessica faced the No. 4 seed: a girl who used to be ranked No. 1 in PNW’s 12s and 14s. After a tough match, Jessica managed to pull off a big upset: she won in straight sets after playing a very inspired and determined tennis.She was concentrated and calm, but on fire during actual play. She also remembered to take notes during changeovers. A crowd gathered to watch this unknown (in 16s) girl producing an upset. It was probably the biggest win in Jessica’s tennis career so far.

In the quarterfinal, Jessica played against the No. 6 seed and more people came to see whether she was for real. She proceeded to play an almost flawless tennis in the first set, winning 6:1. The second set proved much tougher when Jessica let up somewhat and found herself down 2:0. She was trailing until she pulled even at 4 all, only to lose her serve in the next game. Then, her opponent was serving for the set. Never before had I seen Jessica as concentrated and confident as she was when she defended a set point and then, proceeded to break her opponent’s serve. She managed to win the second set 7:5. Her concentration and determination played a big role in her to upset wins. I couldn’t believe that I witnessed a breakthrough I had been waiting for since Jessica started playing tournaments 6 years ago. People were coming to me to congratulate on Jessica’s performance. Everyone commented how poised, determined, concentrated and confident she looked on the court. I am a tough guy, but I could hardly keep back my tears.

On Sunday morning, Jessica played the No. 1 seed. She continued to play great but she lost after a very even match. The difference was probably the fact that Jessica started playing the match without her customary pre-match hitting, as we had to get up at 5:30 just to make it to the match on time. Jessica’s opponent, on the other hand, hit for an hour before the match (she stayed in a hotel next door to the tournament site). Every game in the first set went to deuce, with Jessica having an ad point in almost every game. Unfortunately, she could not convert any of these points and she lost the first set 0:6. A score of such magnitude usually takes the wind out from beneath her wings but it was not the case this time. Jessica played an even better second set, which was still not enough for her nationally ranked (top 100) opponent, and she lost the set 3:6. Jessica was disappointed with the result; however, I was very proud of the way she played and that seemed to console her.

In summary, it was a great weekend and it is unbelievable how much progress Jessica has made in just one month. It is obviously the effect of your program because technically, she could not improve that much.

Dr. Valverde, I remember how difficult it was for me in Tucson to decide whether to enroll Jessica in your program and how the decision was made in the last minute when Jessica’s grandparents pledged over the phone their financial

contributions. It turns out it was the best decision I ever made regarding Jessica’s tennis. Please accept a big "Thank you".

- Charles

MY CONFIDENCE IS BACK AND I AM NOT TAKING ANY MORE SLEEPING PILLS

Hi Jorge! I am totally enjoying and seeing results already from your program - Thanks so much! I have plugged it with my USTA team - maybe they will all be contacting you too! I had lost a lot of confidence over the last few months and this has really helped me regain the confidence and enjoy playing more. I had never given much attention to the mental part of my game and did not grow up competing in any way, so this is a great help to me. An added bonus is that I am sleeping so much better with the L/S program - I have always had trouble sleeping and more so the older I get, often having to rely on sleeping pills - this has cured me of that! Thanks again so much. I am faxing the profile to you.

Karen

THE IMPORTANCE OF A PERSONAL APPROACH TO MENTAL COACHING

I received my Personalized Profile Results you sent me and absolutely agree with them. All my results are completely and absolutely correct. The things you said about them were awesome and I really enjoyed reading about it. I now have the confidence cards taped to my mirror along with my achievement list and my goals. I look at these everyday. I have been reading the book and doing my CD and glasses at night. For one thing, I'm a lot calmer on the court. I am also working on eating better from all the information you have given to me!

R.C.

MY SON FINALLY WON AGAINST AN OPPONENT THAT HE NEVER HAVE BEATEN BEFORE

Today he won his first match against a boy that has beaten him in the past on several occasions. He lost the first set in a tiebreaker. He was down 1-3 in the second set, but came back to win 6-4, and won the last set, 6-1. He looked at his script at every changeover, which was a first for him. He filled out the Post-Match Questionnaire. He was fairly generous with his self-assessment, but I take that as a positive sign. As he gets more self-aware and sophisticated, I am sure he will become a little stingier with his grading. He knows that this is the first time in a long while that he has pulled out a match, when in the past, he would have lost. He realizes that the edge was mental on his part. No matter how he does tomorrow (today by now), I have emphasized that the measure of his success is in his ability to improve on his goal of applying his mental toughness tools well enough to let his ability show through.

YOUR INTERNET COMMUNICATION IS HELPFUL

Dear Dr. Jorge,

Hello it is me Danielle. I want to thank you for your attachments that you have sent to me. My parents and my coach have taken a look at it and think that it is fantastic material. I have read it myself and I agree with them. I am already starting to gain more and more confidence in my game. Thank You again. I hope you are doing well.

Sincerely,

Danielle

YOUR PROGRAM PREPARED ME FOR COLLEGE TENNIS

How are you doing? I have been extremely busy for the past month getting ready for college at TCU. I wanted to let you know that your program has been THE DIFFERENCE MAKER IN MY TENNIS PERFORMANCES since I started it. I had a great Kalamazoo. I played some of the best tennis I've played in years.

I just started classes at TCU this week and have been training with the team unofficially for about two weeks. My coach says that I am one of the most mentally tough players he has seen in a while. Joey Rive, my coach, was top 50 in the world for a while so he knows when he sees a good player. I just wanted to thank you for all of the support and help you have given me over the years. I found you at one of the lowest parts of my career and together we have turned that around.

I am still continuing your program because I believe in your work. Thanks again Jorge.

Robert G.

AN ENJOYABLE AN EFFECTIVE PROGRAM

Hi Dr. Valverde,

Just an update on my daughter's progression with your mental preparation program. We started the first stage "Flooding to Zoning" on February 1st. Tori absolutely loves the program. She was very impressed that you took the time to talk to her over the phone. She has been very faithful to listen each day and apply appropriately to her day. Tori has a very strong tennis game technique wise, and aggressive style of tennis, but has always struggled with believing in herself. She is only 9, but liked we talked about it is never too young to start. Since starting the program, she has entered two USTA junior super series tournaments, and has won both of them. She has become a different child on the court. She really has started to enjoy the battle instead of the "score" game. She told me the other day; she now walks out and lets her game do the playing. I have seen her down 5 to love, and appear in her actions, that the match has just started.

We are all looking forward to the changes it will make over a lifetime. Not only on the court, but in her confidence of who she is as a person.

Thank you so much for taking that time to talk to her, and show you are truly interested. I will keep you updated.

Jan C.

Hi-

I am writing to let you know I am working on my script and the only reason it is not done is because we had finals this week. I played in a tournament this weekend and did very well. I am in the round of 16's next weekend, and I have never been more focused in my life. I played good and felt good about my game in a long time. Thanks for all your help,

Vanessa

11 YEARS OLD IS MASTERING HIS MIND

Dear Jorge:

I wanted to let you know what a tremendous response I received at the Easter Bowl about Blake's mental toughness. I had several parents and coaches including Brenda Schultz [former WTA top 10] ask me what type of mental training Blake is working on. They were also very curious about him closing his eyes on the change overs. I told them that the credit goes to Dr. Jorge Valverde who Blake has been working with for over a year. I suspect that you will be receiving some phone calls in the near future. I wanted to pass that on to you and thank you for all your help.

Vince

DEVELOPING YOUR FULL POTENTIAL

Hello Jorge,

I just wanted to thank you for all the time you have spent with me. I had a great time working with you this past weekend, and I learned so much from you. You are so knowledgeable and I feel blessed to have you as a teacher, mentor, and more than anything... a great friend. You have been awesome for helping

me deal with my problems and obstacles. I am a better person because of your wonderful guidance and support, and I wanted to thank you. I will be in touch.

S.K.

OVERCOMING FEAR

Jorge:

We were all doing our rituals today. Eric won a match tonight with a kid that he has never beaten before. On a critical point, he turned his back on the opponent, did his rituals, and decided in his mind that he was going to beat this kid, tonight, now, in 2003. He beat him!!!!!!!! When I picked him up, he was really excited and came running over to me to tell me that it worked!! Then he came home and told Jeffrey and there was a lot of excitement.

Well, anyway, we had a great time!!

Thanks a lot, and it was great to meet you.

Sincerely,

The Legunn's

DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENTS

Jorge,

Can I forward some of your e-mails to my team players??

I have recommended your services to several people already, hopefully, they will be getting in touch with you.

This weekend Claire played in the Southern Designated 18's and did well. Her mental game is so much better. I could not tell if she was winning or losing. She is doing all that you have asked her to do. One of her opponents mother's came up to me after Claire had beaten her 17 year old daughter and said how impressed she was that at Claire's age even whenshe was winning easily and was obviously the better player, she still read her cards every changeover!! Thanks so much for all you have done in two short weeks. I know that this is a long road and I really want her to enjoy this process- I think she does!

See ya!

Sue Bartlett

Dear Jorge:

How are you hope all is well. Justin is doing very well, in fact we just returned from El Paso, Texas, where he played in a boys 14 USTA National Open Championship. We brought home the championship title. Justin's mental game has dramatically improved. He listened to your CDs for 21 nights prior to this event.

More specifically in the finals of this national he found himself facing three championship points against him and his mental cool is what helped him overcome those critical moments, and recover to win the title. I honestly believe that was due to your CDs and from flooding to zoning book. Thank you so much.

While we were in Texas many players and parents approached me, as they themselves noticed a difference since they last seen him play. I told them that a world renowned sports psychologist Dr. Jorge Valverde made the difference and I gave them the phone numbers that I had. Thank you again anxiously awaiting your response.

Sincerely,

S.F.

CONFIDENCE FOR LIFE

Hey! How's it going where you are? Everything down here is awesome.... I'll be finished Friday with the first part of the program... we've already had High school matches, and I've just felt so much more confident and relaxed when I get ready to play.... I've already read from the beginning of the book to page 21, and that also helped a lot. I still listen to track 4 whenever possible and that also helped to contribute...well I'm the only one on the team who hasn't lost any matches so far.... I just thought I'd email you and keep you updated on the situation....

Thanks

J.K.

Dear Dr. Valverde:

Thank you so much for the information. The program is really helping my confidence and self-esteem on and off the court. I feel like a different person.

S.K.

FEELING GOOD AND PLAYING GREAT

Dr. Valverde,

Thank you so much for the talk. It was exactly what I needed. I played later that day and can't even tell you how good I felt about everything. My reactions felt so much quicker and things seemed so natural, I simply couldn't believe how well I was playing. I have started on writing my forehand, and it is so detailed. It is even more difficult than I imagined, but I am really enjoying it. Again, I wanted to say thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.

Take care.
I'll keep you updated.
Thanks,
B.C.

THE POWER OF CONCENTRATION

Hi Dr. Valverde,

Everything over here is OK.... Today after talking to you last Night... I won a match 6-0 to the # 1 player on the team... I don't know why but I was very focused.... I listened to the track 4 vol. 4 a lot over night and before the match... I also thought of when I won a designated tournament against my brother... I was so focused cause all I wanted was to beat my brother and win the big trophy :) I won it b/c I had no fear and hit my shots perfectly...I remember when I was down in the first set and came back and won....

Good night... bye

Dr. Valverde,

I have just received your program 21 days ago and it has helped me in numerous ways and I love it!!!! I am making TONS of progress!

H. T.

DREAMING BIG

Jorge,

I just wanted to let you know that ever since I heard you talk about the mental part of tennis, I have had a whole new perspective to it. My game has just gone to a whole new level and I have just told my self that I know that I am willing to work in able to get where I want to be. And watching Meghann Shougnessy work out, I really decided that I want to go pro. I just wanted to let you know that my game is now improving so much because of the whole new mental attitude, and I can see how much the mental part is.

Thanks

Marjorie

FEELING A LITTLE TENSE

Hello Dr. Valverde,

It's Anne S. I had a little talk with you in Houston about how everything was going and I said that I was starting to feel a little bit tense in my matches because for the first time I have been able to move my ranking higher than I ever have before. Well, that night I wrote down the things that happen when I'm playing my best tennis and I read them right before going to bed. To be honest, I didn't believe it would help me the next day because I was so depressed and didn't think things would get better. But the next day I did play a lot better. I won the next two matches. In my second match, I lost the first set in a tiebreaker and I won the next set 6-1. Then I was down in the third 4-1 and I came back and won 6-4, something that I would have done if I had not done what u told me because I would have been so tense. Even though I know I still was not playing my best I was amazed how reading over the things that I do when I'm playing my best would help me out so much. Thank you very much. I really appreciate you helping me.

BOUNCING BACK

Dr. Valverde,

I just wanted to let you know that things have been going pretty well lately. I had a great trip in Tulsa. I beat their #1 guy who was 40 in the country 6-3 in the third. He actually served for the match in the second, but I stayed very positive and tough. I lost my first match this week to Florida state's #1. I played fairly well, but felt like I was not as aggressive as I need to be against the better players I see. I've been working in practice on being aggressive, even overly aggressive. As I have found though, that is more of a mindset than anything else. I have the physical qualities within me, but I need to be conscious of those qualities mentally in order to bring them out. We travel this weekend to play William and Mary then wake forest, so it will be two more opportunities to improve on this aggressive thinking and playing. I will stay in contact with you.

Thanks for the help.

Michael R.

Staying Focus When Facing Adversity

Jorge,

I just wanted to email you and touch base about where I am in the mental toughness program. This past weekend at Houston, I felt like I won the tournament because of how strong I was mentally and not because I played especially well. I really wanted to tell you a little about the San Antonio major zone as well. So the weekend before last I went to San Antonio and played a major zone...almost identical to the one this weekend. The tournament was very delayed due to a lot of rain and bad weather. We ended up playing 4 "matches" (short sets, no-ad starting at 2-2) on one day. I looked to push myself outside of the box in many ways that weekend. I had to overcome weather...stay focused and remember that I was at a tournament. I had to maintain my physical state by working out in the gym and continuing to do the workouts I've been doing. I had to fight the temptation to be lazy and lay around like everyone else around me. But, I realized that I am different and I am aspiring to achieve higher goals than the "average" person around me. Before the tournament I sat down and created a mental script specifically stating the performance goals I had for the major zone. And it helped TREMENDOUSLY. That weekend I followed my inner script exactly word for word. It was awesome. And like the Houston tournament I won because I was emotionally so strong and handled the tournament despite my obstacles. But that was just some of my feelings for the past couple of tournaments, and I am really excited to see the results from my training. Not only within myself, but also in my peers.

Thanks for all of the time and effort you have put into helping me. I am so excited to move forward and keep learning more.

Stephanie

The Meaning of Inner Motivation

With the mental toughness program I have learned to stay focused on goals that are specific for me. Now, I strive to make a difference and I find myself much more self-motivated. The program has helped me to be independent and look to others for help and good advice but not DEPEND on them. (Like I used to do every day.) Every action, thought, or event that I go through I do for myself. And it is much more gratifying because anything I accomplish I know it is because I worked for it, and no one handed it to me. Not to mention how much stronger I have gotten when competing. I find it so much easier to stay focused on just competing throughout the ENTIRE match, and I love it! Now I am actually out there for the fight and I am not just going through the motions...which was common for me before, and I credit the improvement to my strong emotional state. And I know I am forgetting a lot of things but, lastly, the entire process has helped me become more positive in day-to-day life. Now when I face adversity I strive to find the positive side of it and not automatically search for negatives. Now, I look for ways to overcome and beat my problems instead of letting them defeat me. Now I know that this was a bold statement, and I know that I am far from perfecting these skills...but at least now, I am on the right track, and with enough work hopefully I can get good at it. Feel free to share my previous email with people I'd love for them to know how much your have helped me AS WELL AS my teammates around me. Talk to you soon! K.L.

Results From Dr. Valverde's Students

DONALD YOUNG

You may want to keep an eye on 13-year-old Donald Young. The talented, young Chicago native just made his mark on the international junior tennis circuit by sweeping both the singles and doubles titles at two of the most prestigious events in the world for players' 14 and younger.

At the world's premier tournament, Les Petits As, held Jan. 27-Feb. 3 in Tarbes, France, Young defeated his doubles partner Leo Rosenberg of Manhattan, Kan., 6-2, 6-1, to capture the singles championship and then teamed with Rosenberg to beat Belgians Frederic De Fays and Germain Gigounon, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, for the doubles title. A week earlier, he won the singles title at Teen Tennis in Telford, England, with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Dennis Lajola of Aiea, Hawaii. In doubles, he and Rosenberg again defeated De Fays and Gigounon, this time by the score of 6-1, 7-6 (4).

Young, who is currently ranked second in the country in the boys' 14s, joins an illustrious list of tennis greats who were once champions at Les Petits As. Previous winners include Richard Gasquet (who beat American Brian Baker in the 1999 final), Kim Clijsters (1997), Mirjana Lucic (who defeated Justin Henin in the 1995 final), Juan Carlos Ferrero (1994), Anna Kournikova (1994), Martina Hingis (1991, 1992), Michael Chang (1986) and Richard Krajicek (1985). Lindsay Davenport was runner-up at the event in 1990.

Shaughnessy Proves her Mettle

(FROM USTA WEB SITE)

Meghann Shaughnessy didn't just win a match that spurred her confidence level to new heights - she raised the expectations of every player peering up at the Williams sisters on the WTA Tour. Shaughnessy defeated consensus world No. 2 Venus Williams in the fourth round of the NASDAQ-100 Open, 7-6(2), 6-1, serving notice that the Williams sisters - well, at least Venus - could be beat. "I'm so happy," said Shaugnessy, seeded 23rd at the Nasdaq-100 Open. "It's not even going to sink in for a little while."

Shaughnessy has now won two of seven head-to-head meetings against Venus. "I think, mentally, I've matured a lot in the last year," said Shaughnessy, one of the hardest workers on the pro tour. "I'm learning to enjoy myself a little bit more, practicing and playing. Physically, I've gotten a lot stronger in the last two years. It's slowly, you know, it's all starting to come together. So I'm happy about that."

Shaughnessy has had a stellar 2003 that has included a win at Canberra, semifinal results at Scottsdale and the Nasdaq-100 Open, and reaching the quarterfinals at Gold Coast and the Australian Open.Her run in Key Biscayne ended in the semis when she was defeated by Jennifer Capriati, 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4. Shaughnessy took the first set over a befuddled Capriati, but could not hold onto the advantage. Capriati took advantage of Shaughnessy midway through the second set as Shaughnessy stopped playing the aggressor and simply deflected Capriati's fierce groundstrokes.

Fans can see Shaughnessy compete for the United States in Fed Cup competition in Massachusetts in late April.