Can't serve out a match, ever!!!!!

[harrpau7]

I seem to have developed a frustrating problem as of late. In my last 6 matches I have played, I have served for the match every time and then got broken. In 5 of these 6 matches I have then gone on to win, either by breaking in the next game or breaking at some point in the match (the other one I lost when I was 4-0 up in final set, got broken twice to 4 all, broke my opponent to go 5-4 up then lost 7-5).

My point is why is it so damn hard to serve out a match?!? I actually smashed a racquet at 6-2, 5-1 up because I had just been broken (had I not of been broken, I would of won 6-2, 6-0).

Yesterday, I was up 6-2, 5-3, 30-0, then lost 4 straight points to get broken and I was so angry I couldn't continue.

In 3 of the matches in question, I hadn't even been broken up to the point of serving it out.

Does this happen to everyone else? And how do I get past this??

 

[KuanMaster]

doe you serve worse when you serve a match out? or do you play worse?

 

[wyutani]

doe you serve worse when you serve a match out? or do you play worse?

its the same.

 

[harrpau7]

doe you serve worse when you serve a match out? or do you play worse?

I don't know, it's very hard to explain, but as soon as i get to the situation where I serve for the match I think to myself 'I am gonna get broken'.

It's ruining my tennis, becuase up until then in every match I ma playing very well, really gets to me.

 

[wyutani]

I don't know, it's very hard to explain, but as soon as i get to the situation where I serve for the match I think to myself 'I am gonna get broken'.

It's ruining my tennis, becuase up until then in every match I ma playing very well, really gets to me.

dude, this is all mental man, its all in the head. u're afraid choking up. the tick is to breath in deeply and think nothing. i do this. always helps.

 

[harrpau7]

I asked my coach about it, he said dont think of it as serving for the match, just think of it as another game, but when its happened 6 matches in a row its very hard not to :-(

 

[nkbond]

chicken bone

 

[harrpau7]

chicken bone

I beg your pardon

 

[Topaz]

I don't know, it's very hard to explain, but as soon as i get to the situation where I serve for the match I think to myself 'I am gonna get broken'.

It's ruining my tennis, becuase up until then in every match I ma playing very well, really gets to me.

That, right there in bold, is why you do get broken. Mentally, you are doing yourself in.

Next time you are serving for the match, do not let any negative statements in your head. Instead, take it a point at a time and think "I'm going to serve wide/up the T", "Keep moving my feet", "stay aggressive" and other positive things like that. Do *not*, under any circumstances, think "Do not double fault'...our brains take out the 'do not' and only really hear 'double fault', and then more than likely, that is exactly what you do!

Play that game the same that you've played the other games that put you in the position to serve it out. And keep at it...it takes experience to handle the nerves in that situation. I'm so nervous, sometimes I'm shaking when I serve!!!

 

[Jim A]

A lot of people get tentative in that final game and expect their opponent to give it to them.

My buddies and I will play 1 game sets where you have to hold to win, you get 3 points to hold but only 1 if you break and we play to a pre-determined number (ie. 15)

if it gets boring we may start 0-15 etc to signify actual match issues

 

[thehustler]

I think to myself 'I am gonna get broken'.

What???????????? Good grief. If it's one thing that bugs me more than anything else it's someone who goes into anything with a negative attitude. You wound up winning most of those matches right? So what pressure should you feel when serving it out, especially if you're up a break or two? There is no pressure. Your opponent has all the pressure to break you. This allows you to just sit back, relax and just play your game you've been playing all match long. Never put the pressure on yourself. Always put it on your opponent. If they break then that's ok, since you were up a break or two. You can break them the next game as they might get too relaxed that they broke you but then don't focus hard enough on their own service game. It happens all the time. Just relax and play your game. It doesn't matter how you win a set as long as you win it right?

 

[Wakenslam]

Try calling out a score to yourself, like 2-1, 4-3, or whatever. Then hit hard second serves and apply moderate pressure on your opponent. He is probably feeling more nervous than you!

 

[GPG]

I seem to have developed a frustrating problem as of late. In my last 6 matches I have played, I have served for the match every time and then got broken. In 5 of these 6 matches I have then gone on to win, either by breaking in the next game or breaking at some point in the match (the other one I lost when I was 4-0 up in final set, got broken twice to 4 all, broke my opponent to go 5-4 up then lost 7-5).

My point is why is it so damn hard to serve out a match?!? I actually smashed a racquet at 6-2, 5-1 up because I had just been broken (had I not of been broken, I would of won 6-2, 6-0).

Yesterday, I was up 6-2, 5-3, 30-0, then lost 4 straight points to get broken and I was so angry I couldn't continue.

In 3 of the matches in question, I hadn't even been broken up to the point of serving it out.

Does this happen to everyone else? And how do I get past this??

harrpau, just give everything you have in that last game. Try thinking that you don't have anything to lose because you have that big lead. Also, think that your opponent should be more nervous as he's the one being like 1 or 2 points away from losing

 

[Cindysphinx]

I usually believe I will hold when I am serving out a match, so I focus on other things. Here's what I think about when I am serving out a match:

"All right. Let's slice the serve out wide and come to net. Take as many tosses as you need to get a good one, and use your legs. Let's see some real racket head speed. Don't forget your split step when you come in, and remember to stay a bit wide to guard against a crosscourt return. Whatever you do, keep your racket out in front and up the whole time. Try to put some weight on that first volley and go deep up the middle -- don't you dare swing! -- and let's see what happens from there."

You'll notice there is no time to worry about winning, losing, choking, double-faulting or any of that.

 

[jwr1972]

Seriously,

It happens to everyone at some point. Next time out say to yourself, it won't happen 7 times in a row. Most importantly don't allow yourself to tense up and grip the racket too tightly or to overthink. I tend to "think less" and let the other person try for that magical return of serve that rarely comes. Whatever got you to 5-1 or 5-whatever you must keep doing. HTH

 

[BGB.CA]

Lots of good points here, it's been said already but I think the best thing you can do is not deviate from your game plan that put you up in the first place. If you've almost completely won a match by playing one way it isn't likely that your opponent will have your number all the sudden when you are serving for it.

 

[harrpau7]

Thank you for the replies.

I think I shud just be grateful that I am getting into the position where I am serving for the match, and then usually can back myself to win even if I get broke.

Next time I play, if I serve for the match, simply gonna treat it like any other service game. If I get broke, at least it will be due to my opponent and not to me perhaps tightening up, choking etc

Thanks again (hopefully no more smashed racquets)

 

[darthpwner]

Just spin the serve in and focus on winning off the ground like you do in your return games which seems to be more successful than your serve when closing out matches

 

[Jim A]

I often have to remind myself during these points as well that I'm Winning!

 

[The ball was in]

I seem to have developed a frustrating problem as of late. In my last 6 matches I have played, I have served for the match every time and then got broken. In 5 of these 6 matches I have then gone on to win, either by breaking in the next game or breaking at some point in the match (the other one I lost when I was 4-0 up in final set, got broken twice to 4 all, broke my opponent to go 5-4 up then lost 7-5).

My point is why is it so damn hard to serve out a match?!? I actually smashed a racquet at 6-2, 5-1 up because I had just been broken (had I not of been broken, I would of won 6-2, 6-0).

Yesterday, I was up 6-2, 5-3, 30-0, then lost 4 straight points to get broken and I was so angry I couldn't continue.

In 3 of the matches in question, I hadn't even been broken up to the point of serving it out.

Does this happen to everyone else? And how do I get past this??

Dare I ask what is going through your mind when you are about to serve for the match? Do you feel more relaxed and already thinking about what you will do after the match? And not taking it point by point?

 

[burosky]

Lots of good advise posted already. If you are looking for a drill that will allow you to try out the advise given here, try this. Play a set where only you do the serving. The goal is to win at 6-0 and winning at 6-1 should be the very least.

 

[harrpau7]

Dare I ask what is going through your mind when you are about to serve for the match? Do you feel more relaxed and already thinking about what you will do after the match? And not taking it point by point?

When I get to the situation where I am serving for the match, I am thinking stuff like I hope my opponent makes an un-forced error, I hope I can find a big serve and also think 'don't let me get broken again when serving for the match.

Lots of good advise posted already. If you are looking for a drill that will allow you to try out the advise given here, try this. Play a set where only you do the serving. The goal is to win at 6-0 and winning at 6-1 should be the very least.

Thats a good drill, will try that out.

 

[darrinbaker00]

I seem to have developed a frustrating problem as of late. In my last 6 matches I have played, I have served for the match every time and then got broken. In 5 of these 6 matches I have then gone on to win, either by breaking in the next game or breaking at some point in the match (the other one I lost when I was 4-0 up in final set, got broken twice to 4 all, broke my opponent to go 5-4 up then lost 7-5).

My point is why is it so damn hard to serve out a match?!? I actually smashed a racquet at 6-2, 5-1 up because I had just been broken (had I not of been broken, I would of won 6-2, 6-0).

Yesterday, I was up 6-2, 5-3, 30-0, then lost 4 straight points to get broken and I was so angry I couldn't continue.

In 3 of the matches in question, I hadn't even been broken up to the point of serving it out.

Does this happen to everyone else? And how do I get past this??

You wouldn't happen to be ranked #1 in the world and have an older brother named Marat, would you?

 

[GS]

It's simple. Just buy one of Jim Loehr's books. Either 'The Mental Game' (winning at Pressure Tennis), available for $2 used, at amazon, or 'Mental Toughness' (Training for Sports), available for 1 cent used.
Years ago, I used to choke with a big lead, but after reading Loehr's insights, I hardly ever choked again.
Both of these books helped me way more than 'The Inner Game of Tennis' or 'Winning Ugly'.....

 

[precision2b]

That, right there in bold, is why you do get broken. Mentally, you are doing yourself in.

Next time you are serving for the match, do not let any negative statements in your head. Instead, take it a point at a time and think "I'm going to serve wide/up the T", "Keep moving my feet", "stay aggressive" and other positive things like that. Do *not*, under any circumstances, think "Do not double fault'...our brains take out the 'do not' and only really hear 'double fault', and then more than likely, that is exactly what you do!

Play that game the same that you've played the other games that put you in the position to serve it out. And keep at it...it takes experience to handle the nerves in that situation. I'm so nervous, sometimes I'm shaking when I serve!!!

A+ Topaz… when I start my serve I keep saying to myself “just this point, just this point” Then I decide where am going with the ball and keep a mental picture of the spot in my mind. If something breaks my concentration or I don’t feel good about it, I hold my hand up (sorry) and start the routine over.

 

[The ball was in]

When I get to the situation where I am serving for the match, I am thinking stuff like I hope my opponent makes an un-forced error, I hope I can find a big serve and also think 'don't let me get broken again when serving for the match.



Thats a good drill, will try that out.

There has been plenty of good advice on the boards already! And I am sure you will take it on board. In response to my questions where I asked what you think...dare I say without sound too blunt, that is why you get broken. If you have gotten into that winning situation...why change?!!?

I am sure that you have not been thinking...I hope my opponent makes an unforced error...I am sure that you have strengths and you play to them. Take it point by point as another poster on this thread has said (Topaz)....and bask in your new found way of closing out a match