How to stay focused winning easy

[joesucks]

:evil:
Lately winning the first set very easily and then the concentration is just dropping phenomenally, and then digging out of all the mistakes. The mental lapse is just creating Head aches.
Story, goes win first set 6-0 or 6-1 worst case 6-2 and then exactly another player in me starts playing either hoping the opponent makes a mistake or refuse to hit the ball through going for winners, just a mess.

 

[Lance L]

Change your focus away from the score to how you are doing, regardless of the score or your opponent. My biggest challenge is good footwork and movement, so I focus on that whether I'm winning or loosing. I'll spend time on stategy, etc, but point to point I'll think about my movement.

An example: I'm up 6-1, 2-0, and after the point my thoughts are "You jumped on the backhand, stay down with knees bent." Sure, I'm keeping track of the score, but I try to keep my level high by thinking about my play.

If I'm down it is the same thing. I'm not going to gain new skills or drastically improve in the moment, all I can do is try to play my best and tonight that was enough. I won 2-6, 6-1, 6-3. I kept my level pretty even throughout, but my opponents level dropped off. I was able to keep an even keel when he dropped off.

Oh, and if you haven't ready "The Inner Game of Tennis", or haven't in a while, just do it.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

:evil:
Lately winning the first set very easily and then the concentration is just dropping phenomenally, and then digging out of all the mistakes. The mental lapse is just creating Head aches.
Story, goes win first set 6-0 or 6-1 worst case 6-2 and then exactly another player in me starts playing either hoping the opponent makes a mistake or refuse to hit the ball through going for winners, just a mess.

Are you sure it's not that you just get tired? Conditioning is the primary factor in otherwise equal playing level matches.

 

[Topspin Shot]

Pretend you lost the first set 6-0 or 6-1.

 

[makinao]

Pretend you lost the first set 6-0 or 6-1.

That will make someone with this problem depressed, then give up.

I would try to forget about patterns. Enter each match as a clean canvas. You bring your tools/weapons to the table then create something new. In the course of the match you deal with problems, injuries, lapses, etc. But in the end each match is unique.

 

[Topspin Shot]

That will make someone with this problem depressed, then give up.

I would try to forget about patterns. Enter each match as a clean canvas. You bring your tools/weapons to the table then create something new. In the course of the match you deal with problems, injuries, lapses, etc. But in the end each match is unique.

I got that advice from Brad Gilbert. It's at least worth a try.

 

[goran_ace]

Enter each match as a clean canvas. You bring your tools/weapons to the table then create something new. In the course of the match you deal with problems, injuries, lapses, etc. But in the end each match is unique.

I take that a step further: each set is a brand new start. Just because you won the first set 6-0 doesn't mean you're going to win the 2nd by the same score, or that you can just coast the rest of the way for the win. You need to finish your match. You can't expect your opponent to just roll over and hand you the match. Winners don't let up after taking the first set easily, and winners also don't give up after losing a first set. The first set doesn't decide the match, you need to win 2 out of 3.

 

[joesucks]

Thanks for the advises guys, I am in pretty prime condition running about 5 miles at least 3 times a week and can easily sustain a 6-1 set Loosing focus has been the issue, good to keep the foot work busy. Been looking for general ideas from experts here on how they handle such situations.

 

[donquijote]

Match time is not a good time to think about anything. Focus on the ball and winning the point.
Also you might be a person with too much sympathy towards other people and subconsciously feeling bad about your opponent after the first set. In sports, it is always OK for the better player to win. This is good for evolving everyone's game.

 

[joesucks]

well said

Match time is not a good time to think about anything. Focus on the ball and winning the point.
Also you might be a person with too much sympathy towards other people and subconsciously feeling bad about your opponent after the first set. In sports, it is always OK for the better player to win. This is good for evolving everyone's game.

well said, this could be part of the problem, it definitely is mental.

 

[LuckyR]

You need better competition

 

[0d1n]

You are not alone.
My latest tournament result : 6-0, 6-7 (5), 8-10

 

[joesucks]

Pro's are no different

You are not alone.
My latest tournament result : 6-0, 6-7 (5), 8-10

Interestingly I see lot of pro's do it too, although people call it choke job. But one of the posters absolutely got it right about my psych sympathize with the other player, for me it is a personality trait, definitely need to work on it.
My last match i lost 8-10 tie breaker too

 

[Enga]

I recommend to try setting goals for yourself, easy ones like attacking a backhand, or hitting a specific return. Then, breathe in, and concentrate. Try to be a perfectionist. The best players I see, they never lose determination. And for me personally, setting miniature goals against mismatched opponents helps.

Of course, fitness could be a major issue too, like posters have pointed out.