NO ONE
PLAYING FOR NOTHING
HERE AND NOW
When a tennis player plays for nothing, they have all their skill.
If they play for a trophy, they are already tense.
If they play for glory or ranking, they lose sight of the ball itself.They are out of their mind.
Their skill has not changed, but the prize divides them. They care too much.
They think more of winning than of playing.And the need to win drains them of power.
~ Adapted from Chuang Tzu
About the Book
The Inner Way of Tennis, Sport, and Life, Randall Scott reveals the invisible game that too often goes unaddressed—the inner struggles with fear, judgment, and pressure that quietly sabotage performance. The reason we often feel stuck or see little outward progress in our game is because true progress doesn’t begin on the outside—it begins within.
Every real improvement in tennis, as in life, starts with an inner shift. If nothing is changing on the inside—our awareness, our attitude, our relationship with ourselves—then no amount of technical instruction or physical effort will create lasting progress on the outside. The forehand, the serve, the footwork—all of it reflects what’s happening in the player’s inner world.
Through the lens of mental wellness and a wholistic approach using more effective Eastern mental development tools, this book guides players, coaches, and seekers toward a deeper understanding of performance and transformation. Growth in tennis, like transformation in life, moves only one way: from the inside out.
Get the book
Who is this book for
For Players & Athletes
"Your real opponent is not the other player—it’s your own mind. The more you understand yourself, the better you have competed."
Develop focus, composure, and self-awareness with practical routines for practice and competition. Learn how to manage pressure, reset between points, and turn mistakes into insight. By observing your inner experience and taking ownership of your mindset, you gain clarity, confidence, and the freedom to play your best—on and off the court.
For Parents
"Success is not about pushing harder—it’s about supporting your child’s growth. Help them build confidence by encouraging inner strength, not just outcomes."
Support your child’s development by focusing on growth, awareness, and resilience rather than only outcomes. Encourage reflection, ask thoughtful questions, and allow them to face challenges independently while you provide calm, steady guidance. By nurturing their inner strength and helping them take ownership of their journey, you foster confidence, self-reliance, and a lifelong love of learning and playing.
For Coaches
"Support your players by letting them struggle and figure things out. Don’t rush to fix every problem—facilitate growth. Help them build awareness, shift gears when needed, and rely less on external validation.
Develop players who are self-aware, adaptable, and trusting under pressure. Focus on cultivating ownership, mental clarity, and composure, using game-based learning, clear feedback, and reflective questioning. By modeling the Inner Way and empowering athletes to understand themselves and their decisions, you create independent, resilient players who grow both on and off the court.
Author
NO ONE – PLAYING FOR NOTHING – HERE AND NOW
When a tennis player plays for nothing, they have all their skill.If they play for a trophy, they are already tense.
If they play for glory or ranking, they lose sight of the ball itself.They are out of their mind.
Their skill has not changed, but the prize divides them.
They care too much.
They think more of winning than of playing.And the need to win drains them of power.
~ Adapted from Chuang Tzu
About the Book
The Inner Way of Tennis, Sport, and Life, Randall Scott reveals the invisible game that too often goes unaddressed—the inner struggles with fear, judgment, and pressure that quietly sabotage performance. The reason we often feel stuck or see little outward progress in our game is because true progress doesn’t begin on the outside—it begins within.
Every real improvement in tennis, as in life, starts with an inner shift. If nothing is changing on the inside—our awareness, our attitude, our relationship with ourselves—then no amount of technical instruction or physical effort will create lasting progress on the outside. The forehand, the serve, the footwork—all of it reflects what’s happening in the player’s inner world.
Through the lens of mental wellness and a wholistic approach using more effective Eastern mental development tools, this book guides players, coaches, and seekers toward a deeper understanding of performance and transformation. Growth in tennis, like transformation in life, moves only one way: from the inside out.
Get the book
Who is this book for
For Players & Athletes
"Your real opponent is not the other player—it’s your own mind. The more you understand yourself, the better you have competed."
Develop focus, composure, and self-awareness with practical routines for practice and competition. Learn how to manage pressure, reset between points, and turn mistakes into insight. By observing your inner experience and taking ownership of your mindset, you gain clarity, confidence, and the freedom to play your best—on and off the court.
For Parents
"Success is not about pushing harder—it’s about supporting your child’s growth. Help them build confidence by encouraging inner strength, not just outcomes."
Support your child’s development by focusing on growth, awareness, and resilience rather than only outcomes. Encourage reflection, ask thoughtful questions, and allow them to face challenges independently while you provide calm, steady guidance. By nurturing their inner strength and helping them take ownership of their journey, you foster confidence, self-reliance, and a lifelong love of learning and playing.
For Coaches
"Support your players by letting them struggle and figure things out. Don’t rush to fix every problem—facilitate growth. Help them build awareness, shift gears when needed, and rely less on external validation.
Develop players who are self-aware, adaptable, and trusting under pressure. Focus on cultivating ownership, mental clarity, and composure, using game-based learning, clear feedback, and reflective questioning. By modeling the Inner Way and empowering athletes to understand themselves and their decisions, you create independent, resilient players who grow both on and off the court.
Author
NO ONE
____
PLAYING FOR NOTHING
____
HERE AND NOW
When a tennis player plays for nothing, they have all their skill.
If they play for a trophy, they are already tense.
If they play for glory or ranking, they lose sight of the ball itself.They are out of their mind.
Their skill has not changed, but the prize divides them. They care too much.
They think more of winning than of playing.And the need to win drains them of power.
~ Adapted from Chuang Tzu
About the Book
The Inner Way of Tennis, Sport, and Life, Randall Scott reveals the invisible game that too often goes unaddressed—the inner struggles with fear, judgment, and pressure that quietly sabotage performance. The reason we often feel stuck or see little outward progress in our game is because true progress doesn’t begin on the outside—it begins within.
Every real improvement in tennis, as in life, starts with an inner shift. If nothing is changing on the inside—our awareness, our attitude, our relationship with ourselves—then no amount of technical instruction or physical effort will create lasting progress on the outside. The forehand, the serve, the footwork—all of it reflects what’s happening in the player’s inner world.
Through the lens of mental wellness and a wholistic approach using more effective Eastern mental development tools, this book guides players, coaches, and seekers toward a deeper understanding of performance and transformation. Growth in tennis, like transformation in life, moves only one way: from the inside out.
Who is this book for
For Players & Athletes
"Your real opponent is not the other player—it’s your own mind. The more you understand yourself, the better you have competed."
Develop focus, composure, and self-awareness with practical routines for practice and competition. Learn how to manage pressure, reset between points, and turn mistakes into insight. By observing your inner experience and taking ownership of your mindset, you gain clarity, confidence, and the freedom to play your best—on and off the court.
For Parents
"Success is not about pushing harder—it’s about supporting your child’s growth. Help them build confidence by encouraging inner strength, not just outcomes."
Support your child’s development by focusing on growth, awareness, and resilience rather than only outcomes. Encourage reflection, ask thoughtful questions, and allow them to face challenges independently while you provide calm, steady guidance. By nurturing their inner strength and helping them take ownership of their journey, you foster confidence, self-reliance, and a lifelong love of learning and playing.
For Coaches
"Support your players by letting them struggle and figure things out. Don’t rush to fix every problem—facilitate growth. Help them build awareness, shift gears when needed, and rely less on external validation.
Develop players who are self-aware, adaptable, and trusting under pressure. Focus on cultivating ownership, mental clarity, and composure, using game-based learning, clear feedback, and reflective questioning. By modeling the Inner Way and empowering athletes to understand themselves and their decisions, you create independent, resilient players who grow both on and off the court.
Author