Frustrated - not improving

[Photoshop]

Today I lost to a friend that plays tennis ~once a year. started off great by breaking right away, then lost five games in a row. I still believed I could come back as last time we played a match he gave up when I won the first three games. So, I start my daily comeback (I find myself in a deep hole very often, lol) and now we are back on serve at 4-5. After a double fault and a couple of forced/unforced errors I'm already thinking what to post on TW. I really can't do this alone. I need some help.

Just last week at a 4.0 men's tournament I was up 7-6 5-3 serving for the match, then out of the blue, CRAMP!!! I gave myself some time to recover by giving the next 7 games away... down 0-3 in the third I finally felt a little better and with my back against the wall I started slowly coming back. back on serve again at 2-3, same old story... I ended up losing 3-6.

be patient with me guys, just one more story. probably highlight of my tennis career... after splitting the first two sets 7-6 4-6, I'm in yet another deep hole. down 0-4 I decided I've had enough of this and again I threw everything and the kitchen sink at my opponent. somehow forced a tiebreak only to lose 8-10.

I know exactly what's wrong with me - I'm not strong enough both mentally and physically. my game breaks down and I get nervous at crucial points. not to discredit any of my friends I lost to (hey they might read this one day!), I'm not playing particularly terribly when I lose. I stay positive and I never give up until the last point. I mean that's what Nadal would do right???

today's loss was a serious wake-up call for me. to lose to someone - altho a very good athlete - that hardly ever trains/plays. I've been playing since high school and I still play 3-4 times a week. many say the transition from 4 to 4.5 is the most difficult but this is getting ridiculous. only part of my game that's gotten better in three years is my forehand. :\

This ended up being me just ranting the whole time... sorry about that... tricky would probably find something to comment on and lead me to the right direction.

 

[In D Zone]

Dude,
I think you need to take some time off the court. you need to recharge your body and mentally you need a break . Even pro athletes need some time off the tour - so why not wonder around outside tennis and work on physical conditioning.

Everyone goes thru the cycle and the sometimes the old habits we developed tend to stay with you like a shadow. I had the same issue - totally tanked and lost 3 matches in a row even against a friend who took a sabbatical for 3 months away from tennis... it devasted me. Then I realized that I was playing too much tennis - I took a week or two off - focus on other sports acitivities to keep my body in condition. When back to the court I had renewed my focus and started playing better.

I noticed that when I add other sports activities to my weekly regiment - weights, swimming or running, pilate then hit the court 2 to 3 times a week with tennis - I am playing alot better. Hope this helps!

 

[Nellie]

Maybe you need to play less and workout more.

 

[FH2FH]

Just yell "iVAMOS!" every point and do a running/leaping fist pump and you should be good to go.

Agree w/ above posters, take a break.

 

[racquet_jedi]

I concur as well, take a vacation, your girlfriend or wife would probably appreciate it...

 

[Jracer77]

Today I lost to a friend that plays tennis ~once a year.....

Don't always believe people who say they "play once a year" or "haven't played in three years"or "hardly ever pick up a racquet" and then proceed to play at a solid 4.0 or 4.5 level. Probably about 98% of the time they're blowing smoke and actually play alot more. I'd imagine they like people to think they are super gifted and playing at that level is childs play for them.

 

[raiden031]

Don't always believe people who say they "play once a year" or "haven't played in three years"or "hardly ever pick up a racquet" and then proceed to play at a solid 4.0 or 4.5 level. Probably about 98% of the time they're blowing smoke and actually play alot more. I'd imagine they like people to think they are super gifted and playing at that level is childs play for them.

Hahaha. Sometimes after playing, people will compliment my game and ask how long I've been playing. I have two possible answers. The first is that I've been playing for 8 years, and the second is that I played off and on for a few years but really took it seriously in the summer of 06. The truth is I was a terrible player for about 6 years (frying pan serve, didn't know how to volley, etc.) and than finally decided to learn how to really play the game after going two years without playing at all. But I'd rather people think I started in 06 since it sounds better.

 

[Jracer77]

....But I'd rather people think I started in 06 since it sounds better.

Sure, I think alot of people don't like to admit how long it took or how much they've practiced to reach their "not so lofty" level. It's just human nature.

 

[goober]

Don't always believe people who say they "play once a year" or "haven't played in three years"or "hardly ever pick up a racquet" and then proceed to play at a solid 4.0 or 4.5 level. Probably about 98% of the time they're blowing smoke and actually play alot more. I'd imagine they like people to think they are super gifted and playing at that level is childs play for them.

yeah funny how often people do this. It is kind of strange. I guess it is a defense mechanism if they lose- built in excuse.

 

[AlpineCadet]

Hahaha. Sometimes after playing, people will compliment my game and ask how long I've been playing. I have two possible answers. The first is that I've been playing for 8 years, and the second is that I played off and on for a few years but really took it seriously in the summer of 06. The truth is I was a terrible player for about 6 years (frying pan serve, didn't know how to volley, etc.) and than finally decided to learn how to really play the game after going two years without playing at all. But I'd rather people think I started in 06 since it sounds better.

Anyway, if you are dedicated to the sport, and have some sound foundations, tennis should be a breeze against the average players.

 

[35ft6]

I seriously just enjoy hitting the ball. I get pissed sometimes but I love tennis. It's probably the most positive thing in my life, on a regular basis, in a lot of ways. I like hitting the ball... I like trying to see how hard I can hit swinging with the least amount of energy... I like seeing how many points I can win against people doing the same predictable thing... it's just fun. My point is that if I only cared about improving, and didn't enjoy the process, I would suck. Allah knows I'm not that competitive. I don't know. Try to love the process more. Fall in love with the feeling of hitting a really clean ball and you'll improve quicker.

 

[AlpineCadet]

I seriously just enjoy hitting the ball. I get pissed sometimes but I love tennis. It's probably the most positive thing in my life, on a regular basis, in a lot of ways. I like hitting the ball... I like trying to see how hard I can hit swinging with the least amount of energy... I like seeing how many points I can win against people doing the same predictable thing... it's just fun. My point is that if I only cared about improving, and didn't enjoy the process, I would suck. Allah knows I'm not that competitive. I don't know. Try to love the process more. Fall in love with the feeling of hitting a really clean ball and you'll improve quicker.

I think I'm going to try that the next time I'm out hitting with friends. Thanks for sharing your POV. Best wishes!

 

[Alafter]

Just accept the fact that not everyone is born with equal talent, and hard work doesnt necessary pay off at the level you want. Also, you are not a machine, you cannot perform consistently at a certain level (this isnt an excuse of course).

But if you love tennis, you won't give up, and somewhere in the back of your mind you still believe you CAN and WILL become better. And then, you just keep going...

 

[Bud]

In my opinion, your issue is mostly mental. When you get into those situations (you feel a match is needlessly slipping away), remember these tips...

1. Play the ball, not your opponent. Pretend it's you against the ball. You win when Mr. Ball goes over the net and into the court. Each point is a new challenge between you and Mr. Ball.

2. Re-focus. It sounds like you're losing concentration. When the ball is coming at you, try and focus on the seams of the ball. This will make you focus and keep your eye on the ball, only.

3. Make sure you continue to move your feet. When people get tight the first thing they do is stop moving their feet. If you have to exaggerate the movement, do it.

4. Remember, your goal is to get the ball over the net and into the court. Make your opponent miss. Don't beat yourself.

 

[Bud]

I seriously just enjoy hitting the ball. I get pissed sometimes but I love tennis. It's probably the most positive thing in my life, on a regular basis, in a lot of ways. I like hitting the ball... I like trying to see how hard I can hit swinging with the least amount of energy... I like seeing how many points I can win against people doing the same predictable thing... it's just fun. My point is that if I only cared about improving, and didn't enjoy the process, I would suck. Allah knows I'm not that competitive. I don't know. Try to love the process more. Fall in love with the feeling of hitting a really clean ball and you'll improve quicker.

That's very Agassian...

It's true. We can get so caught up in the competitiveness and focus on winning, we forget to really enjoy/embrace what is happening in each moment on the court (i.e. it's about the journey... not the destination) - sorry for the cliche.

 

[fuzz nation]

Amigo, there's a difference between thinking and concentrating... you sound like you're thinking too hard.

You should be making your best effort on every point, right? The predictable up and down quality of your game at different points of your matches is pretty solid evidence that you're being distracted by the overall situation. It happens. Don't beat yourself up thinking that you're "not strong enough" or that your game "breaks down" on you. I think it's actually a pretty good sign that you've recognized this goofy pattern in your play - to a degree, you're analyzing what's going on.

Time to concentrate. Focus on a very simple plan and revisit a short checklist between each and every point (eye on the ball, hit deep to the backhand, etc.). Sure it can be repetitive, but you need to worry about the point that's right in front of you and the plan you have for playing it well. When that's over, refocus and plan your next point.

Shazam! Next thing you know, the overall situation has little relevance and you're constantly playing better individual points. Rock on!

 

[montx]

It also sounds like your getting down on yourself a lot. You are putting too much pressure on yourself.

I have played those once a year guys and lost too, because they play each shot for a winner and those nasty drops and corner to corner deep shots with a drop really throw the game off.

When you like tennis and play it you very often try to develop groundstroke consistency which usually is deep shots of a consistent top spin form. These predictable shots are not the best for winning games but they are probably the best retrieving shots.

Undisciplined tennis players that play once in a while also vary their shots a lot.
They take more risks and try more noveltys, i believe this gives them some advantage.

On a last note, if you are not happy of your performance, you should try to find out where you are honestly lacking and making improvements.

In my case, my fitness level is low so I been doing 2 to 3 miles everday running or on bike. My service and backhand need improvement so i been working on those.

I also set short term goals rather than long term ones. I set out to try and get short term results which give me some joy.

I only play tennis twice a week. I work out four days a week. Sunday I rest up.

I do two tough days and two easy days of working out so not to over tire myself.