The ideal attitude is to be physically loose and mentally tight.

Ashe is describing an optimal performance state: the body should remain relaxed, fluid, and free of unnecessary tension, while the mind stays disciplined, alert, and strategically focused. In sports (and especially tennis), physical tightness can shorten strokes, slow reaction time, and amplify errors under pressure; mental looseness, meanwhile, leads to lapses in concentration and poor decision-making. The pairing suggests a paradox of excellence—calm execution combined with intense attention. More broadly, it can be read as advice for high-stakes work: keep the body unstrained and adaptable, but keep the mind organized, purposeful, and resilient.