Losing a lot of close games and/or Losing Leads

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kingcheetah

Hall of Fame
I've noticed over the last month or so that I've been losing a lot of close games, and consequently having sets that are 6-4 but could(should) have been 6-2, or 3-6 sets that were really closer than that, etc. This trend has also been happening in individual games (ones where I'm up 30-love, and then lose, or being up 8-3 in a tiebreaker then losing 13-11.)

It seems like I've been playing well in runs-- where I'll get 3 games in a row then have a letdown, or get several points in a row then go on a cold streak.

Anyone have any advice on what might be causing this sort of thing/ how I can prevent it?
 
Maybe the opponent starts to take you more seriously, when he's behind?
Maybe you start to celebrate too early, and let up, or worse, press harder?
Why would it really matter? What really matters is that your opponent is close to your level, the scores are close, and you are having a competitive match.
 
I think the pressing harder may be an issue... my friend who also plays d3 tennis said today that I was winning a lot more of the longer rallies, but that the shorter ones usually went against me unless I hit a service winner, which is interesting since I'm more of an aggressive all court player, and I won virtually every point I went to the net on today.
 
This is actually common provided you and your opponent aren't regularly holding serve. Without a significant serving advantage, it isn't surprising to see players of equal levels going on runs. Brad Gilbert talks about the "happy camper" vs "wounded bear" dynamic in Winning Ugly.
 
Topspin Shot said:
This is actually common provided you and your opponent aren't regularly holding serve. Without a significant serving advantage, it isn't surprising to see players of equal levels going on runs. Brad Gilbert talks about the "happy camper" vs "wounded bear" dynamic in Winning Ugly.
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The interesting part is that my serve is one of my strongest weapons, and I'm not really having double fault issues.
 
Thinking that you lose a lot of close games, and lose the lead a lot, is a self fulfilling prophecy. Once you start to doubt your ability to hold you will stop playing your game, either making mistakes under pressure - or playing overly safely.

Relax, stop thinking about the trend, and focus on playing each point as well as you can.
 
Since you're an aggressive player, maybe you just ask too much of yourself? I mean, you try to perform the "perfect shot", time after time. That typically leads to streaky play IMO. Then if you miss one impossible shot at 30-0, it builds so much pressure, to now make the shot.

So maybe you should develop a safer, still aggressive strategy? Add margins placement wise?
 
kingcheetah said:
I've noticed over the last month or so that I've been losing a lot of close games, and consequently having sets that are 6-4 but could(should) have been 6-2, or 3-6 sets that were really closer than that, etc. This trend has also been happening in individual games (ones where I'm up 30-love, and then lose, or being up 8-3 in a tiebreaker then losing 13-11.)

It seems like I've been playing well in runs-- where I'll get 3 games in a row then have a letdown, or get several points in a row then go on a cold streak.

Anyone have any advice on what might be causing this sort of thing/ how I can prevent it?
Click to expand...

My coach told me many times there's not much to fix on my technique, but my concentration is leading me to lose in points that I should have won. If you lose your close games by mainly UE, you have a concentration problem or some technique to fix. If you lose because your opponent puts you on defense when you are hot, he is just shifting to a higher gear and making a run on you.
You said your serve is your biggest weapon, but if you got broken that means your serve is weak at certain times, don't you think?
 
kingcheetah said:
I've noticed over the last month or so that I've been losing a lot of close games, and consequently having sets that are 6-4 but could(should) have been 6-2, or 3-6 sets that were really closer than that, etc. This trend has also been happening in individual games (ones where I'm up 30-love, and then lose, or being up 8-3 in a tiebreaker then losing 13-11.)

It seems like I've been playing well in runs-- where I'll get 3 games in a row then have a letdown, or get several points in a row then go on a cold streak.

Anyone have any advice on what might be causing this sort of thing/ how I can prevent it?
Click to expand...

kingcheetah said:
I think the pressing harder may be an issue... my friend who also plays d3 tennis said today that I was winning a lot more of the longer rallies, but that the shorter ones usually went against me unless I hit a service winner, which is interesting since I'm more of an aggressive all court player, and I won virtually every point I went to the net on today.
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Since you're an aggressive player, it's possible that you often go for too much too soon. For example, you hit a good serve, get a neutral return back, and try to go for a quite aggressive shot even though it's not really there to be hit, which is a low-percentage play. When you're hot, you'll make a few of those shots and build leads (or get out of holes that you dug yourself into). But in the long run, the percentages don't work out for you.

Maybe you need to work on how to hit high-percentage setup shots that allow you to control the point and eventually set up opportunities to hit higher-percentage aggressive shots. So instead of a one-two punch, you're playing more points where you hit a couple or more shots to get a short ball and a nice gap to hit into before being aggressive.
 
I think going for too much too soon might be a part of the problem... another little trend I noticed is that occasionally I actually underhit some low forehands, since I'm trying to be too conservative there.

As far as the serve potentially causing problems, I don't really have an issue with excessive double faulting, although sometimes I think I can get a little locked into using similar placement patterns instead of really mixing it up... when I tried being more unpredictable on the serve, my opponent struggled with returning.
 
kingcheetah said:
I think going for too much too soon might be a part of the problem... another little trend I noticed is that occasionally I actually underhit some low forehands, since I'm trying to be too conservative there.

As far as the serve potentially causing problems, I don't really have an issue with excessive double faulting, although sometimes I think I can get a little locked into using similar placement patterns instead of really mixing it up... when I tried being more unpredictable on the serve, my opponent struggled with returning.
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I'd suggest that you think of your serve as a setup shot. The goal is to get a weak return that allows you to control the point or maybe even go for a winner. So, if your opponent has a particular weakness, then you target that most of the time and throw in a different serve from time to time as a surprise. If there's no particular weakness, then you go for unpredictable variety so that he can't get in a groove. And remember, angles that make him stretch are often more effective than power right to his wheelhouse.

Also think of your second shot as either another setup shot or a rally ball (depending on your opponent's return). Only go for a winner if it's quite obviously there to be hit.

That way, you're always looking for a chance to be aggressive, but you're not trying to hit aggressive shots when they're not really there to be hit.
 
Figure out what shots you are missing and then practice practice practice. After you practiced, practice some more. Mental issues can be overcome by muscle memory. Muscle memory takes over even when you get tight.

You also need to learn how to fight off your opponents momentum. Focus on fighting and playing hard and probably hit something big when an opportunity presents it self.
 
I had a match today where a similar pattern occurred. At the start my rhythm was good-- I went up a break to be up 2-1 early, and was hanging around for the set but ultimately lost 4-6. A "guest coach" of sorts for our team was there, and agreed with me that my rhythm kind of disappeared, and my opponent started handling my serves much better than he had been at the start of the match. I'm starting to think that I need to put more variety in the way I attack against my opponent, particularly on the serve.
 
kingcheetah said:
I had a match today where a similar pattern occurred. At the start my rhythm was good-- I went up a break to be up 2-1 early, and was hanging around for the set but ultimately lost 4-6. A "guest coach" of sorts for our team was there, and agreed with me that my rhythm kind of disappeared, and my opponent started handling my serves much better than he had been at the start of the match. I'm starting to think that I need to put more variety in the way I attack against my opponent, particularly on the serve.
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Sounds to me like you don't probe enough to find enough "go to" spots on your opponents. I try to play a lot of points pretty straight up and work for a rhythm, but as I do this, I'm probing for "go to" areas that I can mine when I need a point. I don't go there every point, as that would either practice him up or allow him to come up with a solution, but at break point or at deuce...look out...I'm looking to set the trap on one of them and spring it closed.
 
I think at times I'm attacking the opponents "go to" areas too many times in succession so that they can get used to them in a sense...
 
kingcheetah said:
I think at times I'm attacking the opponents "go to" areas too many times in succession so that they can get used to them in a sense...
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So yes, that gets you close, but false hopes for winning in most cases. They are playing you close and going to them on you to get what they need and you are using "go to" to hang on and be competitive. It's not that it's wrong, but just more you should realize you are likely not as close to them as you thought. ON the other hand, you may be close enough to add a couple of upgrades and make the jump!
 
I think the tactics I'm using in general could use some work... I was out pretty much all of last season, so this is still one of my first legitimate matches in a while... I've had some practice sets but mainly a lot of drilling and smaller tiebreak type stuff.
 
kingcheetah said:
I think the tactics I'm using in general could use some work... I was out pretty much all of last season, so this is still one of my first legitimate matches in a while... I've had some practice sets but mainly a lot of drilling and smaller tiebreak type stuff.
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Yes, you have to learn to probe their game for places to go. I won a match once where I handled the 1st set with hard work, but a good score. Being over 50 with a few pounds to lose, I was dragging a couple of games into the second set. Somewhere along the way, I had found his overhead was sub par and he couldn't hurt me with it even though he was pretty strong in the rest of his game.

So when I got tired in a point (he was very steady) or pulled wide...I just threw up a high lob and got ready to rtn like returning serve. Sometimes his overhead had just enough pace to smack a winner off of with my rtn, without having to create all the pace. Very odd set, but it gave me that little edge to win that second set when I was too tired to really hustle well. You never know what you will find as you probe their game for stroke and movement issues. Seems very few players move up and back well, so that is often good.
 
the "little bit of everything" theory seems to be the most reasonable deduction at this point... I think I'm trying to force a net attack too often, and on occasion I'm taking strides that are too long as opposed to a couple of shorter steps (the footwork issue is really magnified on very fast rubber multisurface indoor courts we practice on-- the ball comes extremely fast so my preparation time is reduced dramatically!)
 
For some time I had a problem with holding up my service games in which I got the early 30:00 lead. So many times have I lost control after that point.

I wondered why that happens, then I realized at 30:00 i was almost always trying to hit a service winner/ace (or overagresive baseline shot), which worked in very low %, put pressure on my 2nd serve, and in many cases my opp got back to 30:15 with no actual effort.

Long story short - the problem might be with playing diferently (in strategic terms) on different scores, which is wrong.

It is correct (I guess) to play differently in crucial points of the match, but only in a tactical sense (say, press the BH and run to the net at MP or BP down etc).

Any1 agrees?
 
I agree.
I try to think less on bigger points. I try to quiet the mind and get the serve or return in (not weak, just right), and then trust the practice. If you have done the hard work in practice you have to try and trust it.
 
Actually, you need to develop very consistent pre and post rally routines that don't change at all regardless of winning or losing a previous point, game, or set, and regardless of score.

In working with both professional tennis players and highly skilled golfers, we instill a very dynamic routine that players go to every single time before the next point/shot.

When you start consciously focusing MORE or LESS on any given point, you are changing your routine. You're putting more emphasis on certain points, putting more pressure due to the score.

Instead, you need to develop both a "mental" as well as a "physical" routine that is yours. (The physical routine helps you maintain a mental routine.)

Good luck.
 
CoachingMastery said:
Actually, you need to develop very consistent pre and post rally routines that don't change at all regardless of winning or losing a previous point, game, or set, and regardless of score.

In working with both professional tennis players and highly skilled golfers, we instill a very dynamic routine that players go to every single time before the next point/shot.

When you start consciously focusing MORE or LESS on any given point, you are changing your routine. You're putting more emphasis on certain points, putting more pressure due to the score.

Instead, you need to develop both a "mental" as well as a "physical" routine that is yours. (The physical routine helps you maintain a mental routine.)

Good luck.
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I'm willing to give it a shot, although I don't think I'll be pulling a Rafa :)
 
CoachingMastery said:
Actually, you need to develop very consistent pre and post rally routines that don't change at all regardless of winning or losing a previous point, game, or set, and regardless of score.

In working with both professional tennis players and highly skilled golfers, we instill a very dynamic routine that players go to every single time before the next point/shot.

When you start consciously focusing MORE or LESS on any given point, you are changing your routine. You're putting more emphasis on certain points, putting more pressure due to the score.

Instead, you need to develop both a "mental" as well as a "physical" routine that is yours. (The physical routine helps you maintain a mental routine.)

Good luck.
Click to expand...

This makes sense from where you are writing, but how do you explain "stepping up"?

If I need to step up as a situation calls for, should I not "charge" up my routine a bit?
 
kingcheetah said:
I've noticed over the last month or so that I've been losing a lot of close games, and consequently having sets that are 6-4 but could(should) have been 6-2, or 3-6 sets that were really closer than that, etc. This trend has also been happening in individual games (ones where I'm up 30-love, and then lose, or being up 8-3 in a tiebreaker then losing 13-11.)

It seems like I've been playing well in runs-- where I'll get 3 games in a row then have a letdown, or get several points in a row then go on a cold streak.

Anyone have any advice on what might be causing this sort of thing/ how I can prevent it?
Click to expand...

Aside from what everyone else has said, another thing is: never underestimate how much your opponent wants to win. True, you really only have control over your game, but your opponent is trying just as hard as you are.

It becomes a battle of wills. If your opponent was nervous and tight in the beginning of the match, as soon as the momentum starts to swing in his favor, that might wake him up. It might make him loosen up, get relaxed. Then YOU get tight and start to miss regulation shots.

Just remember: you're not the only variable. When your opponent is trying very, very hard to win, if you can't match and/or exceed his drive, then you might find the game slipping away.
 
anubis said:
Aside from what everyone else has said, another thing is: never underestimate how much your opponent wants to win. True, you really only have control over your game, but your opponent is trying just as hard as you are.

It becomes a battle of wills. If your opponent was nervous and tight in the beginning of the match, as soon as the momentum starts to swing in his favor, that might wake him up. It might make him loosen up, get relaxed. Then YOU get tight and start to miss regulation shots.

Just remember: you're not the only variable. When your opponent is trying very, very hard to win, if you can't match and/or exceed his drive, then you might find the game slipping away.
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I think this brings up a reality I have to face that a lot of people are going to "bring the fight" to me due to my size. While I'm definitely not the best player on the team, I hit as hard as anyone, and can take advantage of shots as well as anyone, so opponents frequently seem to feel like they need to attack against me.
 
user92626 said:
This makes sense from where you are writing, but how do you explain "stepping up"?

If I need to step up as a situation calls for, should I not "charge" up my routine a bit?
Click to expand...

Obviously, if you are losing, you need to consider why you are losing. You may need to change your STRATEGY, but I would not change your between point routine much.

Of course, sometimes, we need to make "something happen" that might change the momentum of a match that is not going our way.

In these cases, yes, by all means, step it up.

My comments were for the original post that was wondering why he/she was losing after being up in a game or a set. This means the player was winning and suddenly was giving up points/games after these leads. This is where a routine is critical.

Just watch ANY pro and you will see what I'm talking about.
 
I could always just line up the water bottles, have 8 of everything, bounce the ball 5 times on first serves and twice on second serves and then refuse new paintjobs from the sponsors :lol:
 
A lot of the advice here is good advice, but i do sort of think you answered your own question.

To me it seems once you realise you are in the lead, you lose concentration completley. When you realise this is the case , often the best bit of advice that gets ignored is to play one point at a time..dont translate the scores into games. I have read quite a lot of tennis books, and it seems you are aware of the problem which coudl almost lead to you sub consciously waiting for it to happen again.

If your opponents are better players , could they just not be slow starters. Do the points become very one sided , or are the games still close?

Dont put too much pressure on yourself , focus on poisitives on every point, and improving slight things rather than get into over thinking the whole siutation. Your problems are likely 95% mental rather than anything physical changing on court.
 
Jamesm182 said:
A lot of the advice here is good advice, but i do sort of think you answered your own question.

To me it seems once you realise you are in the lead, you lose concentration completley. When you realise this is the case , often the best bit of advice that gets ignored is to play one point at a time..dont translate the scores into games. I have read quite a lot of tennis books, and it seems you are aware of the problem which coudl almost lead to you sub consciously waiting for it to happen again.

If your opponents are better players , could they just not be slow starters. Do the points become very one sided , or are the games still close?

Dont put too much pressure on yourself , focus on poisitives on every point, and improving slight things rather than get into over thinking the whole siutation. Your problems are likely 95% mental rather than anything physical changing on court.
Click to expand...

I agree that it is 95% mental. Also regarding your question earlier the games all remain close, I just don't convert on many of them (I'm still getting opportunities to break or hold that just don't materialize.) It's interesting because I have waves where I am dominant, and others where I am still very much in the match but just don't capitalize on chances for some reason... it's really strange to me because I've never had this kind of issue before... in high school basketball I was always at my best in the clutch moments or big games with the most pressure.
 
Basketball is very much a team sport and you can be lifted or motivated by the presence or actions of others.
I go through similar moments myself , more so when i am already down in a match and let chances to get back into it slip away.
It is very easy to get caught up in the moment , and you often end up playing the ball , your opponent, the score board , any people watching etc etc .
Make a list of things in a tennis match which you can control, and start to focus on those , rather than the other things which go on around you.
If you are playing the points in the right way and doing the right things, and getting beat then credit to your opponent.
If not then work your way through the mental list i just mentioned to find something you can control , and do better to change your current situation.
 
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