Gamesmanship 101

[Cindysphinx]

In my singles match last night, my opponent lost the first set 1-6 and was spraying the ball all over the place. On the set break, we were chatting. She pulled a different racquet from her bag and said she'd use this one, as her control was better.

I don't think the lady was trying some gamesmanship on me; I think she was breaking the tension with meaningless chatter. Nevertheless, I spent the whole second set thinking about that Magic Racquet, wondering if she was suddenly going to open a can of whup @ss on me courtesy of Prince. Nah, the racquet didn't help her game, but it did give me something else to worry about.

I have two racquets, and I keep different colored overgrips on them. Maybe if I'm down a set I'll make a big show of changing my racquet, banging my palms against the strings, bouncing a ball on them, muttering to myself before I make a "decision." That outta freak out my tormentor.

[beernutz]

If you want to freak out your opponent, just start talking to that other racquet in your bag and act as if it is talking back to you.

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by beernutz

If you want to freak out your opponent, just start talking to that other racquet in your bag and act as if it is talking back to you.

Next, grab the ball and go Fidrych on it. Yeah, give her the Bird!

[chlsmo]

Why contribute to gamesmanship at all? If you want to be scary on court, just practice more. I hope you were kidding.

[kingdaddy41788]

Why in the world would you consider this gamesmanship? If she switched racquets in the middle of a match, she *probably* doesn't know what the hell she's doing. I mean... why would any rational person do that?

[chlsmo]

Originally Posted by kingdaddy41788

Why in the world would you consider this gamesmanship. If she switched racquets in the middle of a match, she *probably* doesn't know what the hell she's doing. I mean... why would any rational person do that?

asking me?

[kingdaddy41788]

Asking anyone. If anyone can come up with a good reason for this, tell me.

[LarougeNY]

I wouldn't call the racket switching gamesmanship as much as the "COME ON" after winning a meaningless point, or (for school matches) meeting with your coach just b/c the other team is being coached by their coach (that stuffs allowed on JV, so no worries).

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by kingdaddy41788

Asking anyone. If anyone can come up with a good reason for this, tell me.

She was like losing

[10sfreak]

Originally Posted by kingdaddy41788

Why in the world would you consider this gamesmanship? If she switched racquets in the middle of a match, she *probably* doesn't know what the hell she's doing. I mean... why would any rational person do that?

There could all kinds of reasons for switching racquets during a match. You're not hitting the ball very well that day, so you take one out that's a little bigger, with a bigger sweet-spot. The one you've been using is strung a little looser, so you want to go to one a little tighter, etc.
Like I wrote, there are plenty of reasons for doing so...

[kingdaddy41788]

Well if it's same racquet different strings (and/or tension) that's one thing. But different frames doesn't sound like a good call to most good players.

Also, losing is not a justifiable reason for switching racquets.

[10sfreak]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

In my singles match last night, my opponent lost the first set 1-6 and was spraying the ball all over the place. On the set break, we were chatting. She pulled a different racquet from her bag and said she'd use this one, as her control was better.

I don't think the lady was trying some gamesmanship on me; I think she was breaking the tension with meaningless chatter. Nevertheless, I spent the whole second set thinking about that Magic Racquet, wondering if she was suddenly going to open a can of whup @ss on me courtesy of Prince. Nah, the racquet didn't help her game, but it did give me something else to worry about.

I have two racquets, and I keep different colored overgrips on them. Maybe if I'm down a set I'll make a big show of changing my racquet, banging my palms against the strings, bouncing a ball on them, muttering to myself before I make a "decision." That outta freak out my tormentor.

Cindy, what may have happened is, since you won the first set so handily, you kinda lost your concentration, so you had to focus on something else. In this case, that something else was something completely out of your control, and you shouldn't have even given it a second thought.
I know from experience that it can be hard to keep your focus on the match when you're beating the crap out of your opponent - it's hard to keep up the intensity of focus when that focus isn't really required to get the job done.
Edit: If you're looking for "gamesmanship" tips, sorry, I don't have any. Not really in to it..
However, there's this guy named Callwood...hmm, maybe Spot or beernutz could get you in touch with him...LOL!

[chlsmo]

I see. I don't really think it would affect me mentally if someone were to pull out their "magic" racquet. But the thing is, if you do it with the intention of gamesmanship, you are probably not someone I would want to play tennis with.

[Mad iX]

Originally Posted by beernutz

If you want to freak out your opponent, just start talking to that other racquet in your bag and act as if it is talking back to you.

"Myyy Precioussss....."

I know that'd freak me out.

[goober]

I change racquets if I am not playing well all the time. Different strings and different tension with the same racquet model of course. Not really gamesmanship at all. I don't announce it to my opponent I just pick it up and switch. Someone who announces the switch to you with the reason would sound pretty desperate to me, not pulling out a magic racquet. If the racquet were so magical why didn't they use it to begin with?

[Swissv2]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

In my singles match last night, my opponent lost the first set 1-6 and was spraying the ball all over the place. On the set break, we were chatting. She pulled a different racquet from her bag and said she'd use this one, as her control was better.

I don't think the lady was trying some gamesmanship on me; I think she was breaking the tension with meaningless chatter. Nevertheless, I spent the whole second set thinking about that Magic Racquet, wondering if she was suddenly going to open a can of whup @ss on me courtesy of Prince. Nah, the racquet didn't help her game, but it did give me something else to worry about.

I have two racquets, and I keep different colored overgrips on them. Maybe if I'm down a set I'll make a big show of changing my racquet, banging my palms against the strings, bouncing a ball on them, muttering to myself before I make a "decision." That outta freak out my tormentor.

or...get 9 of the same racquet (you can borrow the other 7), and carefully wrap them in plastic then stuff them into your bag. Bring a whole new bag and fill it with meaningless cloths, etc. Bring water bottles filled with a different colour fluid in each one.

And a banana.

You are set!

[Ronaldo]

You stick with a racquet that is a loser, lost its mojo, brings bad karma, that is bringing your game down? Sacrifice that loser to the tennis gods and free your game.

[max]

Cindy, I'll be humorous here: do what I do: take off your shirt! That means I'm getting down to business!

[Cindysphinx]

I could take off my shirt and play in a jogbra.

That would guarantee my foe would retire with a stomach ailment.

[Trinity TC]

Hey Cindy, was this singles? Did ya win? Congrats if you did...actually congratulations for just getting through it. Hope you didn't lose too much sleep before the match.