And there goes my shot..

[MatchpointServe]

I'm not exactly sure what kind of advice I might receive, but anything would help. I'm completely frustrated at the moment. Earlier today, our school had a tennis match. I was signed up for doubles (Joy... I hate doubles). Anyways, I watched my opponents warm up. Sure, they were okay. They could keep a moderate rally, but there wasn't anything special about them. Weaknesses would be extreme poaching, terrible serves, and high, unorthodox lobs which went out about 25% of the time.

Now you must be thinking, why would I be so frustrated? I already have the game in the bag.

Wrong.

So the game starts out, my partner serves first, only to double fault. And then again he double faulted. Call it a bad omen, love-30. I went over and gave him a little pep-talk, it worked, for the time being. Ace. 15-30. However, the strand of fortune didn't last long. 15-40, game. We switch courts.

"1-0, Love all. First serve," my opponent says. He serves, it turns out to just breeze the line, I jump for it (he was standing on the edge towards the centre, so I figured it'd be more so in the centre), and it skimmed my rim. I wouldn't call it an ace, since I touched it, but they probably thought that's what it was. So the next thing I know, it goes from love-15, to love-30, to love-40, to game. 0-2.

My serve. I double faulted at 30-40. 0-3. We're getting *****.

Next thing I know, it's 0-4, and we managed to pull a game due to their terrible hits. It just so happens, that mine were worse. I truly haven't been that bad since I was about 10, which now I'm 15. I took last summer off, from tennis, so reality struck me hard. I'd consider myself a 4.0-4.5 player, so basically I suck, though I'm quitting all other sports and focusing on tennis.

So it's 1-4, if you're still reading. I still can't seem to get the damn ball over the net, and when I do it's to far. I don't know what it is, I was playing great in the warm ups, but now I can't do anything. I've never been so tied down by pressure in a game. Normally I'm fine, though I still never play as good as I do in rallies. Something clicks and I can't seem to give it my all.

Anyways, back to the game. We happened to salvage another game, making it 2-4, but then I couldn't hold my own come time serve. To many faults and bad hits, other then the one ace I got, which left him standing there dumbfounded. So now the score is 2-5, switch sides.

On the other side, my hit. I tried to hit it down the line, to avoid his poaching and perhaps get a point. I ended up hitting it out. Frustrated and about to throw my Babolat against the ground, we happened to salvage a few points. It ended up at a duece. Since this was a crappy school, and we were on a time crunch, it was no ads. All I needed was this point. We're not dead yet, get this point, 3-5, we can still win! He hits it to me, I give it a forehand cross court, he returns it to my partner at the net, he smashes it down in the corner, easy point. The guy strives for and barely lobes it up, coming down over the front forehand side of the net. I rush up to put it away, we've won. I run up, swing and... MISS. I kept running and actually ran into part of the net and post whilst screaming. "AGGHHH!!! OH MY GOD!! HOW COULD I MISS THAT!?!?! AAGGHH!!!!!!!!"

I didn't quite realize the pain of my back coliding with the rim of the post, maybe my adrenaline had been to high, I don't know. I noticed my back hurting later, and now. But what happened? It was an easy game, yet we got completely dominated. I've read how you tell others, "Don't worry about their game, just worry about your own." Well, had my game been halfway decent, we would have won. But it wasn't. My game was terrible. I feel like it was all my fault we lost, and am completely frustrated. That ruined my entire day, and is currently haunting me as I type this.

So I ask of you, what can I do next time? I wasn't focused. All of my shots were terrible. Why can't I play in games, the way I do in practice?

 

[shindemac]

"I watched my opponents warm up. Sure, they were okay. They could keep a moderate rally, but there wasn't anything special about them. Weaknesses would be extreme poaching, terrible serves, and high, unorthodox lobs which went out about 25% of the time.

Now you must be thinking, why would I be so frustrated? I already have the game in the bag."

No, I don't see how you have the advantage here. Most high school tennis is plagued by bad serves. By that, I mean most just whack it as hard as possible with little control and don't know how to use topspin.

You also overestimated your game. From the looks of it, you and your partner messed up on serve a lot. You need to be more realistic with your game, and work on your weaknesses. You also need to understand that maybe you aren't as good as you think. 4.5 is pretty damn good, and a 4.5 would be able to play in college.

 

[jamauss]

...I'd consider myself a 4.0-4.5 player, so basically I suck...

hahahahahahaahha.
*breathes*...
.
.
hahahahahahahahaha.

Dude, you need to get acquainted with what skills match the ratings. Most high school doubles players are a 3.5 on their best days.

 

[BattleAxe]

But what happened?

Sounds to me like it was one somewhat crappy doubles team versus another somewhat crappy doubles team, and there had to be a winner and a loser. Unfortunately, you were on the losing side this time. I wouldn't worry too much about it though. Since you're a 4.0-4.5, you should have no problem with your next match. In fact, from the high school matches I've ever witnessed, you should mop the floor with pretty much anyone. Give yourself a break though, a player like yourself at such a "sucky" level is expected to play poorly frequently.

 

[theartoftennis]

5.5 would probably be about a low pro ranking.

 

[kevhen]

Maybe 3.5 if you lose badly to a weak high school team. Play more matches for experience dealing with pressure and try to play against a variety of opponents that you aren't use to. Why did you not play tennis last summer?

Also if you are close to 4.5 then why does your partner serve first or are you awesome at net?

Also who cares if your opponent's aced you or if it hit your frame? You lost the point but seem more worried about whether it was an ace or not. Worry more about winning points than how they might look to others.

 

[MatchpointServe]

Thanks, I don't normally do doubles, but yesterday I was off by so much. I think the only time I've played worse was when I was first learning, 4-5 years ago, and would drill the ball over the fence by hitting it as hard as I could.

And perhaps I did overrate myself. I think for sure though I was 3.5 the beginning of the year, and I've improved a lot since then. Anyways, I'm still striving to get better, since I'm pretty much obsessed with tennis (if only my game was as good as my obsession?). Thanks again for the advice.

 

[MatchpointServe]

Dreadfully sorry for the double post, but this is retentive to the rating comment. I went back and looked at the NTRP guidebook and it basically says:

4.0 This player has dependable strokes, including directional control and depth
on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate shots, plus the ability to
use lobs, overheads, approach shots, and volleys with some success. This
player occasionally forces errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to
impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident.

I think I'm just a bit passed that, though not 4.5

4.5 This player has begun to master the use of power and spins and is beginning
to handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and is
beginning to vary game plan according to opponents. This player can hit first
serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. This player
tends to overhit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.

Simply because my serve isn't quite up to date with that, I can get a nice serve in some of the time, and my second serve is very reliable. It breezes the ft. in the back of the box.

Yesterday, I definitely WAS NOT playing 4.0, though. I probably played 2.5, which is extremely pathetic. I'm still mad at myself and can't believe I lost.

 

[TennisAsAlways]

Lesson learned: "Never underestimate your opponent(s)!"

Good day now. 8)

 

[shindemac]

What level would you rate your opponents that day? Because that is probably your level. Even on a bad day, you should beat an opponent one level below you. There are exceptions. But there should be no excuse to losing to someone 2 levels below you.

Do you really have dependable strokes? Maybe it was a bad day, but if it keeps happening... What about the easy overhead you *missed*? At higher levels, players start holding serve more and more. But you were broken twice! Also, you knew you were off that day. Why didn't you adjust your gameplan to compensate?

You said you had a very reliable second serve. So what type of serve is it?

 

[BattleAxe]

The wording on the USTA website can easily be misinterpreted. For example, just because you lose points due to impatience doesn't mean you're a 4.0.

Try these on for size...

NTRP 3.0
This player can place shots with moderate success, can sustain a rally of slow pace but is not comfortable with all strokes; lacks control when trying for power.
FOREHAND: Fairly consistent with some directional intent; lacks depth control
BACKHAND: Frequently prepared; starting to hit with fair consistency on moderate shots
SERVE/RETURN OF SERVE: Developing rhythm; little consistency when trying for power; second serve is often considerably slower than first serve; can return serve with fair consistency
VOLLEY: Consistent forehand volley; inconsistent backhand volley, has trouble with low and wide shots
SPECIAL SHOTS: Can lob consistently on moderate shots
PLAYING STYLE: Consistent on medium-paced shots; most common doubles formation is still one-up, one-back; approaches net when play dictates but weak in execution


NTRP 3.5
This player has achieved stroke dependability and direction on shots within reach, including forehand and backhand volleys, but still lacks depth and variety; seldom double faults and occasionally forces errors on the serve.
FOREHAND: Good consistency and variety on moderate shots; good directional control; developing spin
BACKHAND: Hitting with directional control on moderate shots; has difficulty on high or hard shots; returns difficult shots defensively
SERVE/RETURN OF SERVE: Starting to serve with control and some power; developing spin; can return serve consistently with directional control on moderate shots
VOLLEY: More aggressive net play; some ability to cover side shots; uses proper footwork; can direct forehand volleys; controls backhand volley but with little offense; difficulty in putting volleys away
SPECIAL SHOTS: Consistent overhead on shots within reach; developing approach shots, drop shots, and half volleys; can place the return of most second serves
PLAYING STYLE: Consistency on moderate shots with directional control; improved court coverage; starting to look for the opportunity to come to the net; developing teamwork in doubles


NTRP 4.0
This player has dependable strokes on both forehand and backhand sides; has the ability to use a variety of shots including lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys; can place the first serve and force some errors; is seldom out of position in a doubles game.
FOREHAND: Dependable; hits with depth and control on moderate shots; may try to hit too good a placement on a difficult shot
BACKHAND: Player can direct the ball with consistency and depth on moderate shots; developing spin
SERVE/RETURN OF SERVE: Places both first and second serves; frequent power on first serve; uses spin; dependable return of serve; can return with depth in singles and mix returns in doubles
VOLLEY: Depth and control on forehand volley; can direct backhand volleys but usually lacks depth; developing wide and low volleys on both sides of the body
SPECIAL SHOTS: Can put away easy overheads; can poach in doubles; follows aggressive shots to the net; beginning to finish point off; can hit to opponent's weaknesses; able to lob defensively on setups; dependable return of serve
PLAYING STYLE: Dependable ground strokes with directional control and depth demonstrated on moderate shots; not yet playing good percentage tennis; teamwork in doubles is evident; rallies may still be lost due to impatience


NTRP 4.5
This player has begun to master the use of power and spins; has sound footwork; can control depth of shots and is able to move opponent up and back; can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve; is able to rush the net with some success on serve in singles as well as doubles.
FOREHAND: Very dependable; uses speed and spin effectively; controls depth well; tends to overhit on difficult shots; offensive on moderate shots
BACKHAND: Can control direction and depth but may break down under pressure; can hit power on moderate shots
SERVE/RETURN OF SERVE: Aggressive serving with limited double faults; uses power and spin; developing offense; on second serve frequently hits with good depth and placement; frequently hits aggressive service returns; can take pace off with moderate success in doubles
VOLLEY: Can handle a mixed sequence of volleys; good footwork; has depth and directional control on backhand; developing touch; most common error is still overhitting
SPECIAL SHOTS: Approach shots hit with good depth and control; can consistently hit volleys and overheads to end the point; frequently hits aggressive service returns
PLAYING STYLE: More intentional variety in game; is hitting with more pace; covers up weaknesses well; beginning to vary game plan according to opponent; aggressive net play is common in doubles; good anticipation; beginning to handle pace

Or this....

 

[Livefreediefree1]

ya know im a junor in highschool and one thing ive learned is , never underestimate your opponent you get done with a set. because they can aslways change under pressure or anything.

 

[beernutz]

hahahahahahaahha.
*breathes*...
.
.
hahahahahahahahaha.

Dude, you need to get acquainted with what skills match the ratings. Most high school doubles players are a 3.5 on their best days.

My nephew, who lives in a different city, played #2 singles on his high school team last year. We were talking at Easter this year and he told me he thought he was probably equivalent to a good USTA 4 though he had never played any 4s. I've seen him play, and played with him a bit in some family doubles matches, but never played him in singles. On the other hand, I am a decent 3.5 player who is still a ways from moving up to 4.

So we played and I beat him 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. He has decent ground strokes but can't serve with any consistency, probably because I don't think he ever practiced serving. His first serves were booming flat serves that were in about 40-50% of the time and his second serves were best described as lollipops.

I have no doubt that there are a lot of seriously good high school players out there but there are also many who seriously overestimate their ranking.

 

[kevhen]

I have no doubt that there are a lot of seriously good high school players out there but there are also many who seriously overestimate their ranking.

So true! Most think they are 4.5 or 5.0 but are really 3.5 or weak 4.0 if they ever played in an adult league or tournament. They may have a good shot or two but almost always have some weaknesses that an older more experienced player can exploit. Many try to hit at a 4.5 or even 5.0 level pace, but the consistency and placement is not there to make it that effective.

 

[MatchpointServe]

That's the thing, though. I mean, I know I used to over estimate myself, and then get dominated on the courts. I would try and do great put aways, only to drill it out. I was so inconsistant. But then quite recently, I started up lessons, and my instructor basically fixed my stroke. I had been trying to much top spin, which threw everything off. Now, I can keep rallies with guys I've never been able to keep them with before. Guys who used to dominate me, I can beat. I had improved so much, perhaps too much, which added to my pride.

So yes, I completely underestimated them and played horrible; we all have our extremely off days. I played a match yesterday and seemed to be doing a lot better: Keeping in mind that I hadn't won, and the winning was simply the prize for completing decent strokes. I earned that reward.

I've also found, due to the repair of my dilapidated stroke from 4-5th grade, I can keep up with this guy who's atleast 5.0. He still wins, nonetheless, but I can keep up, a bit, though still get *****. When he would play at matches, he would always be the first off the court. Score is almost always 6-0, 6-0. The cool thing is, he's only a sophomore (I'm a freshman...).

Anyways, thanks again for the advice. It helped.