You Can’t Train This: Pro Tennis Player Otto Virtanen on Where Real Confidence Comes From
Otto Virtanen is sitting back on the sofa, relaxed, hands resting in his lap. The shoot is about to start. Someone is still tweaking the camera settings. The mood is calm, quietly focused. A fitting atmosphere for a professional athlete whose everyday life is built on repetition.
When Otto walks onto the court, the feeling isn’t just confidence or hunger to win, even though those are definitely part of it. There’s also that little spark of nerves. Anticipation.
“It’s always a great feeling to step onto the court. And in a way, there’s always a bit of nervous energy too. I really look forward to getting out there, playing, performing,” Otto says, describing what goes through his mind before a match.
Who said routines have to be complicated?
For Otto, routines are simply a way to tune in to the day and get his focus where it needs to be. His mornings are pretty straightforward.
“I’d say my most important routine is breakfast. I need to get the nutrients in and fill the tank. I also take a moment to gather my focus for the day, so I know what I want to get done and that the day actually counts for something.”
To him, routines are basically repetitions that eventually start to feel like second nature.
“I’d never force routines, even though they’re good for you. They need to feel natural and easy. You can get better at routines too. And when they work, it pays off in the long run.”
“Routines should feel natural and easy.”
Routine also shows in the way Otto handles the moments when things don’t go his way on court. In those situations, the key is cutting off the negative spiral before it gains momentum.
“My way of dealing with tough matches is to go through the game afterward, even if it stings a bit. If there’s nothing useful to take from it, then I just let it go.”
Confidence grows from repetition
A professional athlete’s confidence gets tested all the time, especially when you’re performing in front of cameras and crowds. And in individual sports, no matter how strong the team around you is, when the match begins, you’re largely on your own.
For Otto, confidence isn’t something you practice in front of a mirror.
“I’d say my confidence comes naturally when you’ve been doing the right things for a long time,” he says without hesitation.
Turns out repetition, those daily routines, build that sense of certainty over time.
On the court, doing the right things also means being able to change tactics on the fly. If something isn’t working, you try something else. Overthinking drains your energy. Focusing on what works brings it back.
“I try to reconnect with the good things I’ve done earlier. I don’t overthink. I don’t really dwell on difficulties either. I also drop any unnecessary expectations.”
Do hair ever get in the way for a pro athlete?
For Otto, hair is part of that feeling of lightness.
“I keep my hair easy to manage. I try to keep it fairly short so it doesn’t get in the way while playing. I also like my hair to look good, so I take care of it and keep it in good shape.”
There isn’t always time to visit the barber, although Otto laughs and admits there probably should be.
“There’s one thing that always tells me it’s time for a haircut. Sometimes I notice my cap won’t stay properly on my head anymore because my hair’s gotten too long. That’s when I know. Okay, this is bad. Time to see the barber.”
His style naturally shifts with the season. Sometimes the hair grows longer, sometimes it gets cleaned up after a fresh barber visit. And that moment right after a haircut always feels good.
“It’s always a great feeling when your hair is on point and you look sharp. It feels good too. I want to feel put together and confident.”
What hair products does an athlete carry around the world?
When Otto travels across the globe, a small but carefully chosen selection of hair products always comes along.
“I always carry a sea salt spray, hair spray just in case there’s a slightly fancier evening, and my own shampoo for those hotel surprises. If there’s a 5-in-1 bottle sitting in the hotel shower, at least I’ve got my own shampoo with me,” he laughs, thinking about what’s in his toiletry bag.
An easy routine
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