Playing Angry

[R1FF]

Anyone else get better when pissed off?

Yesterday I was losing a match to a very experienced 4.0

I lost the first set 1-6. I wasnt serving well (huge blister on palm of my hand) and the wind was REALLY bad (not something that bothers me anymore but it was so bad it was affecting the ball a lot). But I was playing just fine. Hitting 80% winners on my passing shots. 75% on my lobs.

Then the city mixed doubles league showed up and started filling up all the other 7 courts. We were on the ONE court that hadn’t been reserved by them. So it was ours to use. But that didnt stop two couples from posting up right behind us and loudly voicing their displeasure at us for being on a public court they felt entitled too.

At this point it was 0-3 in the second set. I was returning serve. I didnt feel I was playing poorly, but I was losing. But at 0-3, I always believe I have a 90% chance of winning the match. Down 1-4 is sorta my threshold. And if my opponent can get to 2-5 I then start to know Im in a bit of trouble. It’s not realistic but merely a function of self belief. So even tho it was 0-3, I felt I was very much in the match. And yet all I could hear was them talking trash in an attempt to bully us off the court.

This really started to **** me off. I did not want to lose the set and have to give up the court.

This is not the first time my level of play has risen due to being angry. But this is certainly the best I’ve ever played as a result. In fact, it was the best I’ve ever played, period.

I won the next 4 games in beautiful fashion. Maybe only 1 or 2 UE’s during that time. Every serve was a bomb. My opponent only hit ONE winner the rest of the set. I was able to get a racquet on everything. At one point during that stretch I won 11 straight points. All in control. Perfect placements. For once, I looked like a 4.5 ... my skills looked like they matched my athleticism on the court. And yet I wasnt doing anything that wasnt well within my personal limits. I was still hitting with 70-80% effort. Calm. But quietly pissed off inside. Totally focused on every individual point.

By the time it was 3-3, the jerks who wanted us off the court stopped running their mouths. Now they were spectators. We were having some intense rallies and really putting on a show. But I didnt let up. I carried that anger all the way thru to a 6-4 win of the set. Closing out the set with my opponent not even winning a point in the final game. I didnt realize it until we spoke after but I had completely demoralized and crushed my opponent during this run.

I wish I could bottle up that sorta angry focus and use it when needed LOL. Anyone else play better when angry? Im sure it’s probably not advised. But for me, the moment those goons were an audience that I felt was rooting against me, it flipped a switch and really worked to my favor.

And yes, true to form, my opponent quit after the 2nd set. Continuing the streak of matches I’ve won via forfeit. In 3 yrs EVERY single casual match versus 4.0 or better players has resulted in them quitting if I win a set.


After the match I stayed to see how good the mxd teams were. They were total goons. Moonball city. Total social tennis. I couldn’t believe players that trash had the nerve to think they owned any court.

 

[OnTheLine]

You are well aligned with McEnroe as nearly the only other player who plays better angry

I think that players that can channel their emotions into focused energy are both rare and well disciplined. Bravo.

In terms of what irritated you although the mixed teams could certainly have been more polite referring to them as goons or trash seems a little over the top. Is it possible they did not realize that they had only reserved 7 of the 8 courts (which seems odd in and of itself) ?

There is certainly no need to ever denigrate players of lower skill. Imagine what the 5.0 player would say of you.

And you did not win by forfeit. You won by retirement.

 

[Chalkdust]

I play better when I'm a little angry - gives me a bit of added focus / motivation. But being pissed off is counter productive for me. By that stage I could care less about the outcome and I'm just going through the motions to get it over with. Luckily I rarely get really angry, but often get just a little annoyed (mostly with myself).

 

[R1FF]

Is it possible they did not realize that they had only reserved 7 of the 8 courts (which seems odd in and of itself) ?

They knew which courts had been reserved. How do I know that? I could hear their ENTIRE conversation as they checked the website on their phones and complained that that a PUBLIC court was in use by the PUBLIC.

I have no remorse in denigrating jerks who think they are so entitled they dont have to be decent people. They’re incredibly rude and regularly pull these sorts of stunts. Be it walking onto our courts while a point is in play. Or in the past, being obnoxious on courts adjacent.

I was well within my rights to denigrate them to their faces. They got off easy tbh.

 

[R1FF]

.

And you did not win by forfeit. You won by retirement.

Just outta curiosity, what is the difference between forfeit & retirement? Is it semantics or is there something Im missing?

 

[R1FF]

You are well aligned with McEnroe as nearly the only other player who plays better angry

I think that players that can channel their emotions into focused energy are both rare and well disciplined. Bravo.

Funny thing is, I cant stand McEnroe. But I do study his game (I like his serve and his S&V skills) but his antics/theatrics I think were a form of cheating.

He’s the only old timer I study. The rest of the time Im watching Agassi, Novak, Rafa, Dustin Brown, and Monfils videos.

 

[CosmosMpower]

I play my best after I get pissed and then calm back down. If I stay mad I tend to overhit and make dumb unforced errors but it does help me ramp up my aggression when I'm playing tentative and getting beat.

 

[OnTheLine]

Just outta curiosity, what is the difference between forfeit & retirement? Is it semantics or is there something Im missing?

A forfeit means the opponent never played a single point. Also called a walkover or default. A retirement means an opponent quit in the middle of a match where points/games have been played.

In terms of USTA ratings a forfeit does not play any factor its a big old nothing.

A retirement will be factored into ratings. There are a minimum number of games that must be played ... it may be 3 games not certain.

 

[sureshs]

I wasnt serving well (huge blister on palm of my hand) and the wind was REALLY bad (not something that bothers me anymore but it was so bad it was affecting the ball a lot).

I am very angry about your excuses for losing

 

[sovertennis]

In 3 yrs EVERY single casual match versus 4.0 or better players has resulted in them quitting if I win a set.

Let's consider this for a moment. Nah, let's not.

By the time it was 3-3, the jerks who wanted us off the court stopped running their mouths. Now they were spectators. We were having some intense rallies and really putting on a show.

Yup, nothing forms a crowd like an angry, sanctimonious average rec-level player.

 

[OnTheLine]

They knew which courts had been reserved. How do I know that? I could hear their ENTIRE conversation as they checked the website on their phones and complained that that a PUBLIC court was in use by the PUBLIC.

I have no remorse in denigrating jerks who think they are so entitled they dont have to be decent people. They’re incredibly rude and regularly pull these sorts of stunts. Be it walking onto our courts while a point is in play. Or in the past, being obnoxious on courts adjacent.

I was well withing my rights to denigrate them to their faces. They got off easy tbh.

I choose not to utterly condemn the person but rather their actions. People can have misplaced or poor behavior without having their very being reduced to nothing but a "goon" or "trash".

 

[R1FF]

I choose not to utterly condemn the person but rather their actions. People can have misplaced or poor behavior without having their very being reduced to nothing but a "goon" or "trash".

Or... if the shoe fits

There’s no need to play devil’s advocate on this one. This MXD crowd is full of a-holes. They come to the courts from the winebar. And head their after. If a person or group act like an obnoxious a-hole on a regular basis, then that is what they are.

It’s the entitled wine & cheese crowd. They’re douchebags in action & “being”.

 

[R1FF]

You are well aligned with McEnroe as nearly the only other player who plays better angry

Did McEnroe actually really play better angry? Or did he benefit from derailing his opponents focus?

IMO it always seemed like McEnroe was trying to take the match into unusual places that his opponent isn’t conditioned for. Total sideshow & disruption of any conventional match rhythm.

Once the match went there, McEnroe seemed to find his happy place in knowing his opponent was clearly distracted and off focus.

That’s why I consider his gamesmanship cheating. I love the way they handled him at the AO.

Tennis, unlike any other sport, seems very difficult to deal with such theatrics & distractions. We all get so in our own heads during the match. But Im trying to take a basketball mentality to it. I’d love to learn to be able to play thru any environment or antics. I’ve had to deal with a lotta weirdos in the short time of playing this sport. From hitting all our balls into the street in a fake fit of rage during a sanctioned match, sideline coaching on multiple occasions, to one opponent even rolling around on the ground as if he’d been shot after a UE (meant to buy him rest & distract me).

Im getting better at dealing with it all. When my skills improve then I think all the other BS wont have any effect anymore.

And Im hoping, that against better competition their will be less nutjobs and more people just interested in a highly competitive sporting match won on merit and not passive aggressive gamesmanship.

 

[High Lama]

Did your opponent notice the disgruntled couples or did he not care?

 

[R1FF]

Did your opponent notice the disgruntled couples or did he not care?

He knew they were upset. But he couldnt hear the specifics of conversation like I could since he was on the other side of the court for most of their antics.

Im not sure he’s in a position to judge tho. His theatrics after losing a point can draw plenty of attention himself. I wont go into detail but it’s McEnroe-ish.

The point is, they could’ve gone anywhere else and been pissed off. There are nice picnic benches to go pout on. They didnt need to do it within earshot and make it loud enough to where Im basically in on the conversation. Noise isnt the issue, lord knows there is plenty in a public setting. It’s the deliberate obnoxiousness that set me off. They’re looking to instigate by being passive aggressive because they’re not used to someone calling them on their crap. Eventually Im gonna snap and cuss one of these groups out. They’re a constant annoyance.

Hit a errant ball on their court, they talk trash and try giving you one of their balls. If they hit one on your court, they’re audacious enough to stop you mid point to ask for their ball back. It’s as if nobody exists or matters but them.

In the past I’ve actually had to kick a lady off the court whom thought she was just gonna post up behind the baseline while waiting for me to be done training. Then as I was leaving she had the nerve to yell at some others for distracting her during her warmups because they were talking courtside. It’s all too common but these MXD teams have no problem walking thru a court mid point. I see them do it to everyone as if they own the place.

It’s quite the culture they’ve been allowed to foster. But it’s too be expected of the wine & cheese crowd I suppose.

 

[MathGeek]

Not me. I need to make better decisions against most opponents. When I'm angry, I may be stronger and faster, but my decision making tanks.

 

[R1FF]

Not me. I need to make better decisions against most opponents. When I'm angry, I may be stronger and faster, but my decision making tanks.

I’ve gotten a lot better at tennis over the last 6 months by getting away from spur of the moment “decisions” and having more automated responses to each situation.

If this happens, automatically do that. If that happens, automatically do this.

In a rally, I try to construct a point in a way that is actually a set play in my head. I try to make everything a situational playbook. The automated responses are predicated on the %’s. If I hit here, odds are their return will be this. If I slice there, odds are their return will be that.

As I get more experienced, my % expectations / predictions on their returns get more accurate. And my playbook increases in volume & complexity.

This all alows me to focus more on the simple stuff such as split stepping, footwork, mechanics, and execution. Ive found I lost more points due to a simple physical breakdown than a bad “chess move”.

I worked with a coach on all this stuff and it’s made for massive improvement so far. Now I can just focus on my mechanics (which leads to even better placement) and trusting my stroke (which naturally leads to more pace).

This is a faulty strategy against unconventional 3.0-3.5 players. But when I’ve played 5.0’s, this is what I feel they are doing to me. They simply know the %’s and out execute most of the time, then out pace when needed. Which is to be expected, they’re better than me.

I think true in moment decision making / chess style play only happens in rallies at the pro level. Just my observation.

Im not saying this “automated / % based” style of play is best. Just what I think works until I get good enough to execute on the fly spur of the moment.

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

Great comeback.
Were you supposed to play another set, or a 3rd set TB ?
Quitting after opponnent wins the 2nd set is very poor form.
You are morally obliged to play a 10 point TB, even in a casual match.

"Keep Calm, you're only down a break"

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/keep-calm-youre-only-down-a-break.609918/

Saying mixed doubles players are goons is redundant.
Anyone playing mixed is not serious about his tennis development.
Better off joining a dating site instead of being a tennis creep in the friend zone. LOL.

There may be something to your anger performance.
Players with weak mental game change their strokes to bunty tightness in a match.
When you got angry, maybe you were trying to show off to the spectators.
This allowed you to swing out and use the strokes you've paid to drill and develop.
You got out of your own way. You should hit carefree 100% of the time.

If people were talking into my court, I would stop, and confront them.
"Do you have a problem? I've reserved this court.
What part of that does your thick skull does not understand something so basic?
Can you please SHUT UP or go somewhere else?"
No way I would just stand there as they heckled me.
Use that keto energy and pick a fight next time.

Great feeling to upstage them and play real tennis before they came on for their ******** ping pong "tennis"

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

Not me. I need to make better decisions against most opponents. When I'm angry, I may be stronger and faster, but my decision making tanks.

Tennis matches do not involve decisions.
They involve reflexes.
Tennis players do not think on the court.
They execute pre-programmed plays that are blink reflex after years of drill.
Automaticity.

 

[shadow01]

What’s “UE”?
Also - isn’t that what Medvedev was saying at the USO, which encouraged the boo’s?

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

Unforced errors.

 

[R1FF]

What’s “UE”?
Also - isn’t that what Medvedev was saying at the USO, which encouraged the boo’s?

Yes. I can totally relate to Medvedev’s mindset. He is someone Im starting to study. I like his personality a lot.

 

[R1FF]

Tennis matches do not involve decisions.
They involve reflexes.
Tennis players do not think on the court.
They execute pre-programmed plays that are blink reflex after years of drill.
Automaticity.

That was a much more concise articulation of what I was attempting to explain to MathGeek.

 

[R1FF]

Great comeback.
Were you supposed to play another set, or a 3rd set TB ?

We usually agree to 3 full sets pre match. But Im ok with a 10 pt tie breaker as a concession because it’s proper training for tournaments anyways.

Obviously, a 3rd set is more fun but it puts me at a huge advantage considering my athleticism.

Quitting after opponnent wins the 2nd set is very poor form.
You are morally obliged to play a 10 point TB, even in a casual match.

It’s the 4th time he’s done it to me.

I sacrificed matches for months while working on my stroke development & overall habits of play in a effort to get better. He beat me MANY times andI always took my beating with grace. And just stayed the course working on my skills.

Now it’s all starting to click and I’ve made a major jump. His moonballs no longer affect me because I’ve developed my strokes to the point where I can blast them back or take them on the volley.

"Keep Calm, you're only down a break"

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/keep-calm-youre-only-down-a-break.609918/

Saying mixed doubles players are goons is redundant.
Anyone playing mixed is not serious about his tennis development.
Better off joining a dating site instead of being a tennis creep in the friend zone. LOL.

There may be something to your anger performance.
Players with weak mental game change their strokes to bunty tightness in a match.
When you got angry, maybe you were trying to show off to the spectators.
This allowed you to swing out and use the strokes you've paid to drill and develop.
You got out of your own way. You should hit carefree 100% of the time.

Accurate.

If people were talking into my court, I would stop, and confront them.
"Do you have a problem? I've reserved this court.
What part of that does your thick skull does not understand something so basic?
Can you please SHUT UP or go somewhere else?"
No way I would just stand there as they heckled me.
Use that keto energy and pick a fight next time.

Maybe. But I was trying to stay in my match. Had I stopped, any focus on the match would’ve been lost for the short gratification of yelling at the douchebags.

That said, eventually Im going to snap.

Great feeling to upstage them and play real tennis before they came on for their ******** ping pong "tennis"

It did feel great.

There have been some serious low points in my tennis journey this year because I’ve been working to get better.

Now it remains to be seen if this is a one off performance or if it can become the new normal.

 

[Dave_D]

And yes, true to form, my opponent quit after the 2nd set. Continuing the streak of matches I’ve won via forfeit. In 3 yrs EVERY single casual match versus 4.0 or better players has resulted in them quitting if I win a set.

I'm so confused by this statement. Yes, it is considered a retirement, but how is it that you've played 3 years and if you win a set the other player just retires and doesn't finish the match? Is this for a flex league, or just casual matches? How are you finding your opponents? Are they injured or just disinterested because they are not winning in straight sets? Has someone beat you in straight sets and finished the match? Where are you located?

 

[R1FF]

I'm so confused by this statement. Yes, it is considered a retirement, but how is it that you've played 3 years and if you win a set the other player just retires and doesn't finish the match? Is this for a flex league, or just casual matches? How are you finding your opponents? Are they injured or just disinterested because they are not winning in straight sets? Has someone beat you in straight sets and finished the match? Where are you located?

This only happens in casual matches.

I used to play people at a private club. Small group whom saw me from day 1 starting tennis. They were all tennis lifers. I wasnt supposed to be able to beat any of them so their egos couldnt handle it. But I improved fast because I was playing 4+ hrs a day.

We moved to a new area. Lots more players, whom I meet thru coaches and/or semi-serious training groups.

Some are people I’ve played 20+ times now. I lost for months over & over in straight sets. But I’ve improved and now the matches dont finish unless they’re winning. I win the first set? Match over (insert ridiculous excuses). I lose first set? We continue, but if I win the 2nd set again, the excuses come. They play me again the following week. If they win in straight sets, fine. But if I win, the match ends. Their wins are becoming less & less frequent. So I’ve started to just plan ahead and I schedule another hitting partner right after. That way I can get enough court time in.

Others simply implode. Like last week, played someone new. In the first 3 games I was down 0-40 twice. I came back both times to steal the game. Dude had a mini meltdown and quit once I went up 3-0.
Ultimately I think it comes down to the fact that people dont like losing to someone that is relatively new to tennis. Especially doubles players who get comfortable thinking their games are better than they are. Doubles masks a lotta flaws and rewards impatience. Everything gets exposed in singles. And most players these days are not singles players.

A lot of this comes down to “little brother” syndrome. I’ve had some very knowledgeable hitting partners really take me under their wing. They wasted a lotta time playing against me when it was boring for them but they gave me court time. Eventually the pupil is gonna beat the teacher and it’s not easy to handle.

We all have fathers right? You remember the first time you beat them in anything? I played my stepfather for years in chess as a child, always losing. Until I bought a few books on chess and studied, then finally beat him when I was 12. He never played me again. My biological father never even finished our game of basketball 1v1 after I blocked his shot 5x in a row and he refused to ever play me again.

I must be doing something right because I got invited to a 4.5 training group recently.

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

Bizarre to hear what's out there.

I have never heard of anyone quitting just because they lost a set.
How insulting and inconsiderate. People took off work to get court time, and they just quit?
Everyone I've ever beat who I lost to before has always been super supportive.

The only thing I can come up with is that your strokes are totally wacky looking
and they can't get past that ? No trophy for pretty strokes

 

[R1FF]

Bizarre to hear what's out there.

I have never heard of anyone quitting just because they lost a set.
How insulting and inconsiderate. People took off work to get court time, and they just quit?
Everyone I've ever beat who I lost to before has always been super supportive.

The only thing I can come up with is that your strokes are totally wacky looking
and they can't get past that ? No trophy for pretty strokes

My strokes are not wacky. They get better & better. Im just very consistent. Very athletic. And constantly improving because I train/play 14-18 hrs a week currently. My hitting partner today did nothing but compliment how good my strokes look/improved during the last two months. All credit goes to the hitting wall. I’ve fallen in love with it. I video my sessions, review at night, send to a coach for critique, and the following day go back and do another 2000 strokes. It’s been moreso productive than any lessons or clinics ever could be.

If I had poor mechanics, I’d be a total injury risk. I put in 300 first serves yesterday during a 4 hrs training binge. No soreness or pain whatsoever. I think that signals how smooth my form is. And these are not bunty serves. From the add side yesterday I was landing aces almost every time I went up the T.

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

So, if you're already filming it, why are you not posting video ??

 

[High Lama]

Post the video. I want to see the superior athleticism. I expect karaoke steps, scissor kick overheads, reverse tweeners, and back flips.

 

[R1FF]

So, if you're already filming it, why are you not posting video ??

Because the videos are intended for coaching/training purposes. I send them to a coach whom is qualified to criticize. I value certain opinions on these forums and I send them the videos and they give me their honest feedback. Mission accomplished without the potential to get trolled.

If someone here doesn’t believe that Im above average athletically, so what.

 

[ChaelAZ]

Don't drive angry!

 

[navigator]

Because the videos are intended for coaching/training purposes. I send them to a coach whom is qualified to criticize. I value certain opinions on these forums and I send them the videos and they give me their honest feedback. Mission accomplished without the potential to get trolled.

If someone here doesn’t believe that Im above average athletically, so what.

I hear what you're saying and I think it cuts both ways. On the one hand, if you don't care what people have to say, then don't post a video (makes sense). On the other hand, if you don't care what folks here believe... then you won't care about any trolling. Which argues for posting video, of course. I think folks who bother to describe their game or matches, etc - and particularly those who offer opinions regarding others' games or claim a certain level, etc - should just post a video - even if it's just 60-70 (edited) points - like a set worth of points. It will satisfy certain folks' curiosity and it will save a lot of future posting time - folks will know your game so there will be no need to provide details. Even though much of the advice you might get here is worthless, occasionally a few gems appear. It's happened a few times in my case, at least. Just a thought, of course.