Russian tennis player Nikolay Davydenko, 29, says that older tennis players must train psychologically to improve their game.
World's No. 6 Davydenko began his performance at the 2010 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York on Monday with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 victory over No. 80-ranked Michael Russell of the United States.
"You can change your game when you are 18 but not when you are 29. Only your head changes when you are 29 and you can psychologically change the game, be less nervous and play correctly," Davydenko said at a news conference following his first round victory.
"I am worried about the way I play and want to play better," he said.
The Russian athlete said he has been in the top ten of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings for five years already and it is very difficult for him to remain there.
Davydenko, a two-time U.S. Open semifinalist, returned to tennis in June after he was sidelined for 11 weeks due to a fractured wrist.
NEW YORK, August 31 (RIA Novosti)
