Got whooped by a 55 year old pusher in my first tournament match

[pico]

Played my first tournament match last night and it was a humbling one. I played a 55 year old pusher who just got everything back. It made me realise how unfit, inconsistent and impatient I am. It also made me realise that if I am to play more tournaments, I will probably encounter pushers more than often. So my plan forward is to incorporate playing pushers at least once in 2 weeks.

 

[Pass750]

You mean a 55 year old who was better than you whooped you.

 

[pico]

You mean a 55 year old who was better than you whooped you.

Yes - did I say I was better? His game style is a pusher game style. I am just defining his game style and do not mean it in any derogatory way.

 

[sureshs]

Why do you play with oldies?

 

[pico]

Why do you play with oldies?

The tournament at our club was open to all ages and levels. It was everyone clumped into one draw. Men separate and women separate.

 

[pico]

Btw I am 64

 

[Airspun]

Btw I am 64

Will you still need me, will you still feed me?

 

[Pass750]

Yes - did I say I was better? His game style is a pusher game style. I am just defining his game style and do not mean it in any derogatory way.

Pusher is a derogatory term and the person describing their opponent as such frequently can’t admit their weaknesses and resorts to rationalize this by calling their opponent a pusher. This might not be the case here.

Did you ever consider he only needed what he needed to do to beat you by keeping the ball in and letting you self destruct? May have had more weapons that he didn’t even have to use. Getting everything back doesn’t make them a pusher, it makes them a good player.

 

[pico]

Pusher is a derogatory term and the person describing their opponent as such frequently can’t admit their weaknesses and resorts to rationalize this by calling their opponent a pusher. This might not be the case here.

Did you ever consider he only needed what he needed to do to beat you by keeping the ball in and letting you self destruct? May have had more weapons that he didn’t even have to use. Getting everything back doesn’t make them a pusher, it makes them a good player.

Its all he has. Others in the club refer to him as such too. Not just me. Please dont get offended. Are you a pusher too?

 

[pico]

I also admitted my weaknesses in my OP. Lol. Read bro.

 

[Pass750]

Its all he has. Others in the club refer to him as such too. Not just me. Please dont get offended. Are you a pusher too?

Nope

 

[Pass750]

Its all he has. Others in the club refer to him as such too. Not just me. Please dont get offended. Are you a pusher too?

Please provide in more detail what exactly makes him a pusher.

 

[Permitlady]

I also admitted my weaknesses in my OP. Lol. Read bro.

you have more weaknesses than you even understand. pusher is derogatory

 

[pico]

you have more weaknesses than you even understand. pusher is derogatory

If pusher is derogatory, why do a lot of instructional videos use that term? You guys need to relax lol. Are you a pusher too?

 

[5sets]

Google Image Result for https://media.tenor.com/2R4HEZcWqvIAAAAd/michael-jackson-popcorn.gif

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

Pushers are consistent. And win a lot. Don't try to compare your recreational matches with pro level hard hitters. My experience says most players 4.0 and lower will get beat by these consistent players. Congrats on competing at 64.

 

[Permitlady]

If pusher is derogatory, why do a lot of instructional videos use that term? You guys need to relax lol. Are you a pusher too?

you crossed the line bro

 

[Curtennis]

How old are you? How was a 55 year old able to get to everything? I’m thinking he wasn’t the only pusher on the court.

 

[Airspun]

How old are you? How was a 55 year old able to get to everything? I’m thinking he wasn’t the only pusher on the court.

When I’m 64

 

[tennis3]

Played my first tournament match last night and it was a humbling one. I played a 55 year old pusher who just got everything back. It made me realise how unfit, inconsistent and impatient I am. It also made me realise that if I am to play more tournaments, I will probably encounter pushers more than often. So my plan forward is to incorporate playing pushers at least once in 2 weeks.

You learned a valuable lesson. When you lose, all you can say is that you lost to a player that is better than you. That’s it. If you say anything else, you’ll get demolished as you see.

I lost a match last week 1&0 to a guy I beat in a very tight 3 setter last fall. After the match, he asked me what was wrong. Was I injured. As we had played before, he knew something was wrong. I just told him he played very well and there was nothing I could do. After a loss, you can’t make any “excuses”. If you do, it gets around (“Did you hear what Joe was saying after he got crushed last week? What a sore loser. Always making excuses”). He was actually sort of angry I wouldn’t say anything, so he had a mutual friend text me and ask me about the match and was I injured. I just said my opponent was too good. Tried my best and was beaten by a fantastic player.

It’s sort of stupid that even a pro athlete can’t say anything after a loss. If they do, they get massacred. But even they just say their opponent was “unbelievable” and move on. Those are the “rules”.

In your case, you aren’t even making excuses or really saying anything bad about your opponent. Doesn’t matter. You simply can’t say anything. As I think you can easily see. Saying anything beyond “my opponent was too good” will be seen as an excuse by everyone. Just stick to the Rafa Nadal formulaic cliches after any loss. It’s always best.

 

[pico]

This thread highlights a major issue in society today. Instead of encouraging a guy who just played his first tournament match, some of you choose to bash him cos he used the term "pusher". Such a polarised society we live in. Its truly sad. I just wanted to share a special moment with this tennis community but it was a mistake.

 

[pico]

You learned a valuable lesson. When you lose, all you can say is that you lost to a player that is better than you. That’s it. If you say anything else, you’ll get demolished as you see.

I lost a match last week 1&0 to a guy I beat in a very tight 3 setter last fall. After the match, he asked me what was wrong. Was I injured. As we had played before, he knew something was wrong. I just told him he played very well and there was nothing I could do. After a loss, you can’t make any “excuses”. If you do, it gets around (“Did you hear what Joe was saying after he got crushed last week? What a sore loser. Always making excuses”). He was actually sort of angry I wouldn’t say anything, so he had a mutual friend text me and ask me about the match and was I injured. I just said my opponent was too good. Tried my best and was beaten by a fantastic player.

It’s sort of stupid that even a pro athlete can’t say anything after a loss. If they do, they get massacred. But even they just say their opponent was “unbelievable” and move on. Those are the “rules”.

In your case, you aren’t even making excuses or really saying anything bad about your opponent. Doesn’t matter. You simply can’t say anything. As I think you can easily see. Saying anything beyond “my opponent was too good” will be seen as an excuse by everyone. Just stick to the Rafa Nadal formulaic cliches after any loss. It’s always best.

I shook my opponents hand and told him he played a good game and you know what - we are gonna try and hit once a week or so.

 

[tennis3]

This thread highlights a major issue in society today. Instead of encouraging a guy who just played his first tournament match, some of you choose to bash him cos he used the term "pusher". Such a polarised society we live in. Its truly sad. I just wanted to share a special moment with this tennis community but it was a mistake.

You got it!!!

Fortunately your opponent is a good guy. Hopefully you guys have lots of good matches, have lots of fun and make each other better players in the process.

Good luck!!’

 

[PDJ]

This thread highlights a major issue in society today. Instead of encouraging a guy who just played his first tournament match, some of you choose to bash him cos he used the term "pusher". Such a polarised society we live in. Its truly sad. I just wanted to share a special moment with this tennis community but it was a mistake.

You could have just used 'consistent". Generally, 'pusher' is seen to be demeaning and disrespectful. And, invariably used by someone that has lost.

Congratulations on your first tournament.

 

[tennis3]

This thread highlights a major issue in society today. Instead of encouraging a guy who just played his first tournament match, some of you choose to bash him cos he used the term "pusher". Such a polarised society we live in. It’s truly sad. I just wanted to share a special moment with this tennis community but it was a mistake.

You need to apologize for using the term “pusher”, agree everyone was correct to criticize you, and admit that you were disrespecting your opponent.

None of it’s true. But it’s far easier to just say it to appease everyone. Otherwise you sound bitter, and they’ll all go after you again (as you can see from the response above).

No need to fight it. You just look defensive

 

[Fintft]

You learned a valuable lesson. When you lose, all you can say is that you lost to a player that is better than you. That’s it. If you say anything else, you’ll get demolished as you see.

I lost a match last week 1&0 to a guy I beat in a very tight 3 setter last fall. After the match, he asked me what was wrong. Was I injured. As we had played before, he knew something was wrong. I just told him he played very well and there was nothing I could do. After a loss, you can’t make any “excuses”. If you do, it gets around (“Did you hear what Joe was saying after he got crushed last week? What a sore loser. Always making excuses”). He was actually sort of angry I wouldn’t say anything, so he had a mutual friend text me and ask me about the match and was I injured. I just said my opponent was too good. Tried my best and was beaten by a fantastic player.

It’s sort of stupid that even a pro athlete can’t say anything after a loss. If they do, they get massacred. But even they just say their opponent was “unbelievable” and move on. Those are the “rules”.

In your case, you aren’t even making excuses or really saying anything bad about your opponent. Doesn’t matter. You simply can’t say anything. As I think you can easily see. Saying anything beyond “my opponent was too good” will be seen as an excuse by everyone. Just stick to the Rafa Nadal formulaic cliches after any loss. It’s always best.

Don't agree 100%, b/c, at least to myself, I can say that when I loose to a pusher is b/c I didn't play my game, wasn't at my best ( usually not relaxed/ match tough).

 

[Fintft]

You could have just used 'consistent". Generally, 'pusher' is seen to be demeaning and disrespectful. And, invariably used by someone that has lost.

Congratulations on your first tournament.

A pusher is disrespected bc he usually doesn't create anything, doesn't take chances and so forth and usually plateaus/ reaches his max at 3.5. OP is not wrong.

 

[NTRP_3.75_Patrick_Rafter]

If pusher is derogatory, why do a lot of instructional videos use that term? You guys need to relax lol. Are you a pusher too?

All the pushers are outing themselves ITT. LOL.

 

[Jono123]

Pushers, moonballers, junk ballers call them what you will but this is a defined group of players that dwell in the 3.0-4.0 range. They are despised by aspiring baseline bangers (another group) as they expose their lack of consistency as they haemorrhage points.

The latter will accuse them of not playing 'real tennis' but pushers are a true reflection of your game and where you are in it.

 

[PDJ]

A pusher is disrespected bc he usually doesn't create anything, doesn't take chances and so forth and usually plateaus/ reaches his max at 3.5. OP is not wrong.

I hope you do well at Wimbledon.

 

[Fintft]

I hope you do well at Wimbledon.

Keep pushing lol

 

[Slicehand]

You have the right aproach, wanting to play more pushers, competing is like that, they dont give rewards for prettiest strokes people just try to win the points, you cant just hit two good strikes in a row and expect the point to be over

 

[PDJ]

Keep pushing lol

Bless. I play County level so suspect I'm better than most. Just not an ar*e.

 

[Fintft]

Bless. I play County level so suspect I'm better than most. Just not an ar*e.

Of course you are an arse

 

[PaddyDutch]

This thread highlights a major issue in society today. Instead of encouraging a guy who just played his first tournament match, some of you choose to bash him cos he used the term "pusher". Such a polarised society we live in. Its truly sad. I just wanted to share a special moment with this tennis community but it was a mistake.

Your first post was fine, after that you kept doubling down. So the “boohoo polarised society” is on you mate

 

[Hawks9451]

@pico you should customize your racquet for more plow through so 55-year-old pushers can't hit through you anymore

 

[Permitlady]

against a pusher what you should do is hit soft shots back and forth until he breaks down

 

[Hawks9451]

against a pusher what you should do is hit soft shots back and forth until he breaks down

Yes. Push the pusher. And when you get home, and your wife asks what's wrong, lock yourself in the bedroom.

 

[Curtennis]

This thread highlights a major issue in society today. Instead of encouraging a guy who just played his first tournament match, some of you choose to bash him cos he used the term "pusher". Such a polarised society we live in. Its truly sad. I just wanted to share a special moment with this tennis community but it was a mistake.

Except he wasn’t a pusher or if he was you were one too. At 55 you cannot be getting every left sideline, right sideline, drop shot, lob etc. You posted to talk ****

Hit the ball better and he won’t be a “pusher”

 

[mcs1970]

You are not tournament tested just because you played your first tournament. You attain that tag only when you encounter a pusher in a tournament , lose, and come to tt to complain about it.

Congrats! Welcome to the club.

 

[stapletonj]

1. congrats on playing in a tournament!
2. Although you didn't say the score, congrats on playing against someone 9 years younger than you!
3. If this truly was your first tourney, I'm speculating that you missed a whole lot of shots you don't normally miss.

3. is not unusual. It takes several tournament matches to even have a slight appreciation for the panic and "alligator arms" that occur and how to combat it.
Even if you have played league matches before, it isn't the same because leagues can't often replicate the "you lose, you're out" and "there ain't nobody but you out there" pressure.

BTW - everybody who loses to anyone more consistent than they thinks they lost to a pusher, you just made the mistake of saying it out loud........

 

[Fairhit]

It is the use of the term "pusher".

Other than that, kudos to you for playing a tournament, it is awesome.

 

[Hawks9451]

Pico's only crime is using this forum as a tool for introspection

 

[TennisOTM]

This thread title could have been "I lost to a guy 9 years younger than me who was fitter and more consistent than me in my first tournament match"

 

[Power Player]

What was his weak side? Did you probe that out or were you too busy trying to baseline bash through this guy?

If someone is retrieving everything and does not have weapons then you need to be more consistent and patient. He knows that to beat you he can just sit there and chill and not have to do much. In a tournament that really saves a lot of energy, so he made the right move.

 

[Fintft]

What was his weak side? Did you probe that out or were you too busy trying to baseline bash through this guy?

If someone is retrieving everything and does not have weapons then you need to be more consistent and patient. He knows that to beat you he can just sit there and chill and not have to do much. In a tournament that really saves a lot of energy, so he made the right move.

If I could add one more minor thing, from my last two weeks experiences playing against the same pusher: They usually anticipate well and are experienced, so one thing I did, besides:
a) Trying to hit thru them
b) Trying to hit away from them
One change I did and it worked better was to:
c) Hit behind them and also do unexpected things, such as drop shot returns.

 

[Bud]

Played my first tournament match last night and it was a humbling one. I played a 55 year old pusher who just got everything back. It made me realise how unfit, inconsistent and impatient I am. It also made me realise that if I am to play more tournaments, I will probably encounter pushers more than often. So my plan forward is to incorporate playing pushers at least once in 2 weeks.

Next time, say a 55 yo man that "played the pushing style" so you don't repeat deeply offending many in here who are whining about it

Everyone who plays tennis competitively knows the pusher. Whether it's derogatory or not is one's opinion.

 

[Fintft]

Next time, say a 55 yo man that "played the pushing style" so you don't repeat deeply offending many in here who are whining about it

Everyone who plays tennis competitively knows the pusher. Whether it's derogatory or not is one's opinion.

Let me reprhase that: "Most everyone who plays tennis competitively is a pusher"
Tennis being a sport of errors, people want to win and not do art for the sake of the art, ahem...

 

[Fairhit]

Let me reprhase that: "Most everyone who plays tennis competitively is a pusher"
Tennis being a sport of errors, people want to win and not do art for the sake of the art, ahem...

Well, I play for the sake of the art, when I hit any shot, I stay in position for a few seconds so everybody can admire the beautiful shot, I've lost so many points but, I look artsy doing it.

 

[ChrisJR3264]

Pusher is a derogatory term and the person describing their opponent as such frequently can’t admit their weaknesses and resorts to rationalize this by calling their opponent a pusher. This might not be the case here.

Did you ever consider he only needed what he needed to do to beat you by keeping the ball in and letting you self destruct? May have had more weapons that he didn’t even have to use. Getting everything back doesn’t make them a pusher, it makes them a good player.

I mean I go into the match attacking my opponents weakness. I guess folks have definitions of pushers. My style is a bit mixed. Mostly an attacking baseliner who’s developed a net game and improved coverage on volleying.

My definition of a pusher is one who just hits moonballs and doesn’t go for any shots. Counter punchers at the rec level don’t focus on generating pace but redirecting and aiming for placement with decent pace.

Why I love tennis. Mentally and physically refreshing. Always got to re-formulate strategy.

Glad to see you folks out there in your 50s and 60s still playing.