Competition

[SuperLotto]

I do a pretty good job with being competitive when I play a league match. BUT, when I play socially at my club, I have a hard time with the other ladies who are out there to prove themselves and show everyone up. When would a person have a chance to practice what they have learned in clinics? Practice a down the line shot? The problem is that even the social matches are so darn competitive for the bragging rights. Really sucks the energy out of you for the matches that count. Any tips on how to handle this? Ladies, BTW, I swear they are worse than men. The pouting is ridiculous!

 

[goober]

I am not sure I would want to be part of a club where people bragged about winning social matches and tried to show people up. This sounds like stuff that goes on in high school or something.

The only thing you can do besides not play with them if you want to practice your shots, is simply change your mindset. Go into these practice matches without caring about winning or losing. Don't worry about what these other ladies are doing and just concentrate on what you are doing and want to accomplish. Look long term at the long term goal rather than short term satisfaction of winning a match that nobody will care about after a day or two.

 

[goran_ace]

Play against men at your club.

 

[dizzlmcwizzl]

With guys we would just say .... "dude, I am looking for practice .... can we agree to work on ****". Nobody's feelings would get hurt and we would still have a beer later.

I guess you are saying this wont work with your group of social tennis buddies.

 

[larry10s]

I do a pretty good job with being competitive when I play a league match. BUT, when I play socially at my club, I have a hard time with the other ladies who are out there to prove themselves and show everyone up. When would a person have a chance to practice what they have learned in clinics? Practice a down the line shot? The problem is that even the social matches are so darn competitive for the bragging rights. Really sucks the energy out of you for the matches that count. Any tips on how to handle this? Ladies, BTW, I swear they are worse than men. The pouting is ridiculous!

play down if you can

 

[ProgressoR]

man i havent played a social set for some months, i make it clear i want to drill or semi drill or just work on stuff. I dont need to play social sets just to see who wins. We play semi competitive points for a while to work on that side.

 

[bodieq]

I don't get your mentality.

If you just want to drill and/or work on aspects of your game then you SHOULDN'T be playing "social sets/matches" for that. That's what drills and isolated point-playing is for.

But if you agree to play an actual set or match, you should bring the intensity & focus into the match as if it were a competitive match....and kick their @ss.

 

[SuperLotto]

Thanks for your replies. Yes, ladies tennis is pretty much a high school mentality type thing. Most definately. The drills are a good idea, but everyone wants to play not do drills. I am going to make the time to find people to do the drills.

I guess I do need a mentality check. I just need to kick their as#es like it was a "real" match and bring on the killer instinct. Thanks for saying that. At first I thought it was kind of arrogant, but your are right.

 

[Nor'easter]

I play a lot of league and social matches. During social matches I feel more at ease to try different types of service returns and feel like I can really swing out during my shots. It helps me get a sense of what works and what doesn't and gives me more confidence to try the things I've practiced during my next league match.

However, I do feel that I still play at the same level of intensity as I would during a league match. Some friends have said to me to "relax...this is only for fun" during social matches, but I have a hard time switching that competitive/play to win mindset to off.