tennis2579
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Brad Gilbert the hell out of him. Take pace off, see if it works. Moonball, see if it works. Slice more, see if it works. S&V. Chip-n-charge. Bring him in with droppers and try to drill him in the chest, see if he loses his cool. Slow down, see if it helps. Speed up, see if it helps. Pump your fist like a maniac when he makes an error. Rant, rave, throw a tantrum. Ask him too frequently, "Are you sure?" Declare loudly, "I can't believe I'm losing to this PUSHER!" Hit behind him every chance you get and see if he twists an ankle.
Frankly, if those rankings are accurate, you're not going to beat him at actual tennis. Hope to find a hole in his game, to drive him nuts, or that he does something stupid to take himself out of it mentally or physically.
Alternatively, take your thrashing like a man and try to learn something from it.
Play your best and he'll likely make it fun for you too. If you start junking him, expect no mercy. I've played against higher level players and find most of them are good sprotsman about this difference in level until you start pulling antics. Then they unleash hell and it's over before you know it.
So if you want to get some experience facing stronger pace than you are used to, just try to hang in there with your best shots and play a smart solid game of tennis. The opponent in that case will likely play their 80% game and make it interesting.
Brad Gilbert the hell out of him. Take pace off, see if it works. Moonball, see if it works. Slice more, see if it works. S&V. Chip-n-charge. Bring him in with droppers and try to drill him in the chest, see if he loses his cool. Slow down, see if it helps. Speed up, see if it helps. Pump your fist like a maniac when he makes an error. Rant, rave, throw a tantrum. Ask him too frequently, "Are you sure?" Declare loudly, "I can't believe I'm losing to this PUSHER!" Hit behind him every chance you get and see if he twists an ankle.
@Dartagnan64
Does the bolded part below count as antics? The unbolded part?
I had one of my best matches getting double bagled. I played in a tournament against a former good junior player who was really good. I had no chance at all but I played open rallies with him and hit a few winners, even made it to deuce once or twice and I was really happy after the match and he even told me that I played well.
That was really one of my best days of tennis, I played offensive but didn't overhit and Usually had a good 3-4 stroke rally before he outplayed me or I made an error to lose the point and that was the best I could do.
I am a UTR 7 on average and can compete with a friend who is UTR 8 on good days. I am playing a UTR 11 soon (in 1 week) and I really need to do well in the match.
@Dartagnan64
Does the bolded part below count as antics? The unbolded part?
You have a good starting point being of the defensive persuasion. Most weaker players I meet believe they have a magical attacking potential bubbling under the surface. I too tend to destroy myself when facing stronger players, mostly out of fear of the power on the other side.
Your defence is a good start. Don't believe for a second that, being a natural defender, you're going to trouble someone 4 UTR points stronger by serve and volleying.
@cha cha
So I should just play my defensive game? Wouldn't my opponent be able to EASILY outhit me? I usually don't hit slices and stuff, just consistency from the baseline and I attack short balls and come to the net to finish those short ball points. But this guy probably won't give me any short balls so I won't win by waiting for a short ball and attacking. What would you suggest?
Ask him too frequently, "Are you sure?" Declare loudly, "I can't believe I'm losing to this PUSHER!"
I am a UTR 7 on average and can compete with a friend who is UTR 8 on good days. I am playing a UTR 11 soon (in 1 week) and I really need to do well in the match. I need to get the most games possible against him and make the match as close as possible - that's my goal. He is an aggressive baseliner but he can finish points at the net and he uses the Babolat Pure Aero if that helps. Big Serve, lots of topspin, and very solid on every shot - probably an all-court player but likes to be at the baseline. I play a defensive game counterpunching and hitting well above the net with lots of topspin and margin for error. I don't have a big serve and groundstrokes are what I am best at. A really good score for me would be 6-3 6-3 or something similar to that.
Any advice/tips/strategies?