Players who think they are better than they are

[E46luver]

I am a terrible player, but I was rallying with a 5.0 the other day.
To casual observer, we were equal, and had nice long rallies.
Once we played a match, I was beaten soundly.
Someone who only rallies can think he is much better than he really is.

What are your observations on things like this?
How do players fool themselves?

 

[ptuanminh]

Its co-operative rally. Your 5.0 opponent hits shots that you can return. Otherwise they will be picking up balls for you all day.

 

[shazbot]

It's the same as warm-up before a match.

I have had many of matches where during the warm up the guy has great looking form and strokes. Hits the ball cleanly off both sides and just in general looks a lot better than me.

Then we get into the match and I win 2 and 3.

Anyone can look good when they are hitting simple shots up the middle of the court.

 

[Deleted member 769694]

Its co-operative rally. Your 5.0 opponent hits shots that you can return. Otherwise they will be picking up balls for you all day.

This is the same guy who posts videos of other people claiming its him.

 

[Jonesy]

Competitive tennis is a game of opression, whoever imposes their will upon the other wins it.

Having a good stroke is just a tool to do that, people tend to confuse the means with the end. I mean, at the rec level there is a good number of people that just want to have a good looking stroke even if they can't win points with it when actually playing.

 

[bitcoinoperated]

Pretty normal to rally well against someone good where you get a consistent ball vs junk.

 

[user92626]

Pretty normal to rally well against someone good where you get a consistent ball vs junk.

It's not just "junk" that you'll only find matches.

In matches, people also try their hardest to hit the ball away from you requiring you to have other skills such as running. Also, there's pride involved in matches. If you don't have those skills, you can't handle matches.

Another thing people tend to be in denial or "forgetful" about their own shortcomings. Matches require them to look at the score. It's harder to look away. In rallys, even when they're bad, missing a ton of ball they don't wanna acknowledge it and keep thinking they're good. It's easier on their ego.

 

[E46luver]

Its co-operative rally. Your 5.0 opponent hits shots that you can return. Otherwise they will be picking up balls for you all day.

ya, that's da whole point of da thread, .
try readng da subject and da question, .

 

[E46luver]

This is the same guy who posts videos of other people claiming its him.

why would he do that ?

 

[sredna42]

I am a terrible player, but I was rallying with a 5.0 the other day.
To casual observer, we were equal, and had nice long rallies.
Once we played a match, I was beaten soundly.
Someone who only rallies can think he is much better than he really is.

What are your observations on things like this?
How do players fool themselves?

I've improved lately........slightly..........and the main reason is that I sat back and was finally honest with myself about just how much I sucked at actually playing tennis, as opposed to obsessing over biomechanical trivia and raging like McEnroe's angry cousin

 

[TheIntrovert]

I've improved lately........slightly..........and the main reason is that I sat back and was finally honest with myself about just how much I sucked at actually playing tennis, as opposed to obsessing over biomechanical trivia and raging like McEnroe's angry cousin

Literally the story of this forum

 

[sredna42]

Literally the story of this forum

That and Big3 threads.
"Who had the GOAT rpm on their slice on hardcourt in temperatures between 15-20 degrees celsius out of djokovic, nadal and federer?"

 

[Deleted member 766172]

I've improved lately........slightly..........and the main reason is that I sat back and was finally honest with myself about just how much I sucked at actually playing tennis, as opposed to obsessing over biomechanical trivia and raging like McEnroe's angry cousin

There are some biomechanics that are important though since they are commonly not executed well. I have found a few things that I was doing wrong and have since improved after joining this forum.

 

[r2473]

Competitive tennis is a game of opression, whoever imposes their will upon the other wins it.

I was set up for a hit with a guy a level above me. After some cooperative rallies he suggested we play a baseline game to 21. We must have played 5 or 6 games and I beat him soundly every game.

So he suggested we play a match later that week. I basically never got to hit a comfortable ground stroke and he more or less double bageled me in under an hour. Damn that guy knows how to get to net and hit a volley.

 

[Luke Yonex]

I don't 'think' I am better than I am I 'know' I am better than I am. When I lose singles its just because I let my opponent win to give them more confidence or of course its my rackets fault. When I play doubles and we lose its always my partners fault and never mine

 

[bitcoinoperated]

It's not just "junk" that you'll only find matches.

In matches, people also try their hardest to hit the ball away from you requiring you to have other skills such as running. Also, there's pride involved in matches. If you don't have those skills, you can't handle matches.

Another thing people tend to be in denial or "forgetful" about their own shortcomings. Matches require them to look at the score. It's harder to look away. In rallys, even when they're bad, missing a ton of ball they don't wanna acknowledge it and keep thinking they're good. It's easier on their ego.

If I remembered all the horrible UEs I'd quit tennis.

 

[user92626]

If I remembered all the horrible UEs I'd quit tennis.

True. Denial is a good defense mechanism. But try not to do too much denial or you'll never progress. You gotta face your mistakes to correct them.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

True. Denial is a good defense mechanism. But try not to do too much denial or you'll never progress. You gotta face your mistakes to correct them.

"Denial" ain't just a river in Egypt.

I look at it this way: deluding oneself can be beneficial in a match* but post-match analysis should be honest.

*
- Showing outward confidence/calm when inside you're a seething tub of vipers
- Trusting the process
- Forgetting the past
- Ignoring that this opponent has your number ["No one beats Vitas Gerulitas 17 times in a row!" - VG, after beating Connors, who had won the previous 16 meetings]

 

[user92626]

"Denial" ain't just a river in Egypt.

I look at it this way: deluding oneself can be beneficial in a match* but post-match analysis should be honest.

*
- Showing outward confidence/calm when inside you're a seething tub of vipers
- Trusting the process
- Forgetting the past
- Ignoring that this opponent has your number ["No one beats Vitas Gerulitas 17 times in a row!" - VG, after beating Connors, who had won the previous 16 meetings]

I like it though I don't know how that is possible.

Do you bring a coach or a video device to your match so they can tell you honest stuff afterward?

You can't make light, be forgetful of your mistakes during the match, and then some how remember them well afterward for assessment on your own.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Lots of narcissists in tennis so there are lots of players who think they are better than they are.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

You can't make light, be forgetful of your mistakes during the match, and then some how remember them well afterward for assessment on your own.

One can with training; some are just better at it than others. Pros do it very well.

OTOH, if you fixate on squandered opportunities, it likely will drag down your level of play and concentration.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Lots of narcissists in tennis so there are lots of players who think they are better than they are.

Yeah, it's like a Lake Woebegone for tennis players.

 

[Wise one]

Nobody said it was supposed to be easy...

 

[samarai]

u cannot be a terrible player and be able to sustain a rally with a 5.0. u have to al least have decent strokes which makes your level at least a 4.0 to sustain any rallies.