The following remarks came as the result of my performance assessment re. the last couple of local tournaments I played. The whole thing is that I'd like to get some feedback on how to compete better in a tennis match.
I noticed that, when I see a future opponent of mine playing, I often make assumptions on whether I should generally win or lose against this guy, and these assumptions can affect my match against him. If I think I am better than the guy, I put more pressure on myself thinking I *must* win. As a result, I end up winning most of the time, but the pressure creates more trouble than necessary; sometimes it works in my favor, e.g. if I am trailing, I am confident I will be able to come back. If I think he is better, I play with less pressure and typically give him a good fight, but in the critical moments doubt sets in and I often lose the most important points, and end up losing the match.
On the other hand, when I look at the people actually winning matches, I typically note a strong desire to win the match and an incredible focus. That is, they don't play the opponent, but play the match. I believe that in general, in a match between roughly equally skilled players, the one that competes better usually wins, and I'd like to become better at that
Does anyone have the same mental approach or is willing to share tips?
I noticed that, when I see a future opponent of mine playing, I often make assumptions on whether I should generally win or lose against this guy, and these assumptions can affect my match against him. If I think I am better than the guy, I put more pressure on myself thinking I *must* win. As a result, I end up winning most of the time, but the pressure creates more trouble than necessary; sometimes it works in my favor, e.g. if I am trailing, I am confident I will be able to come back. If I think he is better, I play with less pressure and typically give him a good fight, but in the critical moments doubt sets in and I often lose the most important points, and end up losing the match.
On the other hand, when I look at the people actually winning matches, I typically note a strong desire to win the match and an incredible focus. That is, they don't play the opponent, but play the match. I believe that in general, in a match between roughly equally skilled players, the one that competes better usually wins, and I'd like to become better at that
Does anyone have the same mental approach or is willing to share tips?
