Need a bit of advice, or maybe it is just me?

[LanEvo]

Hey guys, am I the only one, but I feel like after I play a match or some sort of hard playing that I am actually warmed up and ready to play? Like for these past few outings and some before, me and my partner would play a best of 3 set match after warm-up, I tend to lose most the times, and that is kool and all. But afterwards we would rally, and at that time, it feels like I am hitting everything I want, all my balls go in, they land where I want, etc. And even though I may feel tired at times, my body is still going like it is perfectly warmed up and ready to go.

Any advice on how to transition this into the actual match? I play a 3.5-4.0 level depending on the day.

[sansaephanh]

Same with me. I've been known to lose my first sets. I play mostly dubs now, but i still get broken and swing lazy if i dont spend near an hour of hard tennis warming up. I really try to warm up before I even get on the tennis court now. A few lunges, jumping jack countdown, stretches, sprints, etc. It really helps...

Try it man. Make up a routine to really get you sweating before you get on the court. Usually after that, I have to warm up my eyes. Sometimes my eyes get complacent and it just ruins everything.

[vil]

OP, regardless of your level, if you think you can hit most of the balls in, in practice but just can't put it together in a match play it's time to think some tactics. Don't be too predictable, start varying shots, move him around, keep changing depth, speed, sometimes play loopy shots to his weaker wing etc.... There's sooo much you can do.

[LeeD]

And it could be nerves, yours. You tighten up when you keep score, hit nice and loose when not.
You gotta perform when the scoring starts, and you can do whatever when you are practicing, not the other way around.

[LanEvo]

Great thanks guys, well I finally beat my partner today. 7-6, I blew a 4-0 lead and let him come back. I started off serving strong and then started double faulting midway through. In the final few games, I started mixing it up, and just kept the ball in.

@sans, Yes I will definitely try that out and start a pre-hit warm-up routine.

@vil, that is what I did in today's match, but did not start until the very end of the match, definitely something I will work on.

@LeeD, I will definitely work on that, it will be a huge mental challenge though, I definitely do tighten up when I keep score, thoughts keep running through my mind that I have to get this point and such.