Why elite athletes should develop mindfulness to up their game

Why elite athletes should develop mindfulness to up their game

Athletes at the very highest level of their sport face the challenge of performing consistently under pressure amid many potential distractions, including performance anxiety, crowd behavior, their own and others' expectations, and the responses of their opponents.

Why elite athletes should develop mindfulness to up their game

Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. Action Plus Sports Images / AlamyAthletes at the very highest level of their sport face the challenge of performing consistently under pressure amid many potential distractions, including performance anxiety, crowd behaviour, their own and others’ expectations, and the responses of their opponents. The performance of players in the 2023 Australian Open, for example, demonstrated the psychological factors ne…