Holding my game altogether

[S H O W S T O P P E R !]

Today I played a 5-setter for some reason against a local guy. He won the first set very closely 5-7, but I won the next 2 sets 6-2, 6-2. Then I got bageled in both of the final sets. My forehand was unstoppable is the first three sets but was an error machine in the final sets. My backhand was okay but still made crucial errors. I didn't want to attack the net because he would lob me to hell.

My game just seems to fall apart when I need it to work. How can I simply not choke away sets at a time? How can I keep my game going strong into the last sets?

[Orion]

Today I played a 5-setter for some reason against a local guy. He won the first set very closely 5-7, but I won the next 2 sets 6-2, 6-2. Then I got bageled in both of the final sets. My forehand was unstoppable is the first three sets but was an error machine in the final sets. My backhand was okay but still made crucial errors. I didn't want to attack the net because he would lob me to hell.

My game just seems to fall apart when I need it to work. How can I simply not choke away sets at a time? How can I keep my game going strong into the last sets?

Sounds like it's mental....all in your head. Mentally you probably thought you had him on ice and dailed it back a bit. Once you got down a few breaks in that 4th set your confidence started to wane. You have got to take it one point at a time and play with your game. I hate it when my forehand goes away, real easy to dial it down too much and start pushing or start sending it into the fence. Your opponent made the adjustment and probably started anticipating your forehand. You started to play your opponent instead of playing tennis.

I got caught up playing my opponent in a match last week and it was UGLY. I found myslef, taking my eye off he ball to peek and see where he was. The result, volley into the net instead of into all the open court I should have hit it into. Needless to say I lost in straights.

Any of this sound like your match??

[S H O W S T O P P E R !]

Sounds like it's mental....all in your head. Mentally you probably thought you had him on ice and dailed it back a bit. Once you got down a few breaks in that 4th set your confidence started to wane. You have got to take it one point at a time and play with your game. I hate it when my forehand goes away, real easy to dial it down too much and start pushing or start sending it into the fence. Your opponent made the adjustment and probably started anticipating your forehand. You started to play your opponent instead of playing tennis.

I got caught up playing my opponent in a match last week and it was UGLY. I found myslef, taking my eye off he ball to peek and see where he was. The result, volley into the net instead of into all the open court I should have hit it into. Needless to say I lost in straights.

Any of this sound like your match??

A bit, but only missed 1 volley in the match (I clipped a lob and it went out.) However, I couldn't hit any passing shots in the final sets while I was firing passing balls left and right in the first three.

[Orion]

A bit, but only missed 1 volley in the match (I clipped a lob and it went out.) However, I couldn't hit any passing shots in the final sets while I was firing passing balls left and right in the first three.

Whoa!! Sounds like he just made adjustments and settled in. You shoulda turned into a lobster on him. I hate doing that but he must have been in a rhythm at net. It always baffles me when my forehand is clicking and my opponent keeps giving it to me but never changes up the pace allowing me to keep cranking winners and passing shots.

[Rod Laver II]

Yeah it might be mental. I recently almost had a let down. I won a close first set 6-4. Then lost the second 6-4. He was pretending like he didn't know how to play. But I won the last one 6-2. In the 2nd set all I could do was lob.