Tennis Under Pressure

[thomas daniels]

Your competitive tennis career, will be judged by, how well you performed under pressure in your matches.

"Being able to perform at your best, when all the chips are on the table, is going to be the deciding factor in whether you have a successful competitive career or an unsuccessful one."


Always ask yourself the following question.

How well do I deal with pressure?

Because.

Actually, nothing else matters in competition, when you really think about it.

I don't care how hard you train for a tennis match or how good your shots are in practice.

This is why you need to understand.

You are not playing tennis, you are actually playing the mental game.

If you can't make your shots under pressure in matches, it doesn't matter, does it?

We are talking about being able to execute your shots under pressure here.


Anyway.

Here are a few tips for dealing with pressure better in matches.

1). Breathe more.

When juniors are under pressure, they sometimes stop breathing during their points.

This is why the points are so short.

I have seen this play out on video and the player is always shocked when they see themselves doing it after.

So, next time you are in a match and feeling the pressure, breathe deeply for 10 seconds and let go of the stress.

Then get ready for the next point.

One more thing.

2). Detach from the outcome.


Never get emotionally attached to winning the match.

Because this will affect your play and throw off your timing and feel for your shots.

Instead, relax and trust your instincts and your pre-match training.

Your match play theme should be.....

"Just go into the match and leave it all out there on the court."

That way, win or lose, you can still walk off the court, feeling like a winner.

The bottom line is that...

Tension will always negate your flow!!

Pressure is a part of the game, it is what it is....

So stop running from it and embrace it and have some fun dealing with it, my friend!!

Remember.

Learning how to deal with it, will only make you a stronger player, for future matches.

 

[rchjr2091]

Breathing.
It's funny that I NEVER once thought that would be anything I would need to think about but I found myself being short winded after long rallies in a tournament or match.... I was like what the hell Im in good shape? I was running and holding my breath... I've worked on it and am much much better but still I catch myself doing it . Good post by the way.

 

[Limpinhitter]

I advocate what I call the Jimmy Connors approach. If you focus on executing your shots, one shot at a time, and executing your tactics/gameplan, one point at a time, and put everything else (the score, the tournament, the round, the circumstances, even the opponent in many cases, they are all irrelevant), out of your mind, then you have the comfort of knowing that you are doing everything you can do to play your best and to win the match.

Regarding tactics and gameplan, it is essential to understand is that tennis is a percentage game, that high percentage tennis is a very simple game, and that, all other things being equal, the player who understands high percentage tennis tactics and makes high percentage shot selection with discipline will win the match. Many players, even pros, don't understand high percentage tennis and/or don't consistently make high percentage shot selections with discipline.

 

[styksnstryngs]

I completely disagree with the part about not caring if you win or lose. The tips on breathing were actually good, but if you just want to feel like a winner at the end of the day, don't compete. If you don't feel negative emotion after a loss, especially a tough one, then there's really no reason to compete. I get that you're saying that emotions interfere with results, but you need to learn how to harness and use that emotion, not ignore it. I learned this the hard way. You've got to let yourself get hyped, but you also have to feel angry. The important thing is to get over it. It's not a flat line of emotionlessness, it's like an oven: the temperature goes up, then drops, then goes up to maintain an overall average temp. You need those tides to perform.

 

[thomas daniels]

Breathing.
It's funny that I NEVER once thought that would be anything I would need to think about but I found myself being short winded after long rallies in a tournament or match.... I was like what the hell Im in good shape? I was running and holding my breath... I've worked on it and am much much better but still I catch myself doing it . Good post by the way.

No problem, yeah I would video tape juniors and watch it with them and we found out they were actually holding their breath during the point!!Which is why the points were so SHORT!!

 

[thomas daniels]

I completely disagree with the part about not caring if you win or lose. The tips on breathing were actually good, but if you just want to feel like a winner at the end of the day, don't compete. If you don't feel negative emotion after a loss, especially a tough one, then there's really no reason to compete. I get that you're saying that emotions interfere with results, but you need to learn how to harness and use that emotion, not ignore it. I learned this the hard way. You've got to let yourself get hyped, but you also have to feel angry. The important thing is to get over it. It's not a flat line of emotionlessness, it's like an oven: the temperature goes up, then drops, then goes up to maintain an overall average temp. You need those tides to perform.

WRONG!! The more you are emotionally attached to the match, the worst you will play!! I have already done the research sir.

 

[thomas daniels]

I advocate what I call the Jimmy Connors approach. If you focus on executing your shots, one shot at a time, and executing your tactics/gameplan, one point at a time, and put everything else (the score, the tournament, the round, the circumstances, even the opponent in many cases, they are all irrelevant), out of your mind, then you have the comfort of knowing that you are doing everything you can do to play your best and to win the match.

Regarding tactics and gameplan, it is essential to understand is that tennis is a percentage game, that high percentage tennis is a very simple game, and that, all other things being equal, the player who understands high percentage tennis tactics and makes high percentage shot selection with discipline will win the match. Many players, even pros, don't understand high percentage tennis and/or don't consistently make high percentage shot selections with discipline.

Agree, but stream down your point, please!!

 

[rogerroger917]

WRONG!! The more you are emotionally attached to the match, the worst you will play!! I have already done the research sir.

How did you do the research?

 

[thomas daniels]

I asked my students to forget about winning for1 month and just play and they started WINNING!! Me too, when I played my best tennis, I was always relaxed and detached from the outcome, this is true with everything my friend. Again, please study my work, because I never write, what I can't back up with facts.

 

[rogerroger917]

I asked my students to forget about winning for1 month and just play and they started WINNING!! Me too, when I played my best tennis, I was always relaxed and detached from the outcome, this is true with everything my friend. Again, please study my work, because I never write, what I can't back up with facts.

Well that is not really research.

Being process focused and not outcome focused is a pretty established part of tennis mental training for years so I'm not sure why you think you have something new.

 

[rogerroger917]

Your "facts " are based on your students. Hardly scientific nor can you use your methods to establish "facts "

Your ideas sound more like a watered down version of the mental tools my son has received from sport psychologist (mental coach) over the past couple years.

 

[FiReFTW]

WRONG!! The more you are emotionally attached to the match, the worst you will play!! I have already done the research sir.

Good thing Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and the best players in the world dont care about winning or losing.. oh wait...

 

[thomas daniels]

Good thing Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and the best players in the world dont care about winning or losing.. oh wait...

No, they focused on competing at a high level at a young age( I read their stories) and the wins took care of themselves!!! Do you know how many players are stuck in a slump now, because they are focusing too much on winning? Guess not, because you just made a stupid statement. Read between the line and THINK about the message!! I can see, many of you guys on these threads, don't know anything about the mental game and this is going to be my last time responding to you all!!

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

No, they focused on competing at a high level at a young age( I read their stories) and the wins took care of themselves!!! Do you know how many players are stuck in a slump now, because they are focusing too much on winning? Guess not, because you just made a stupid statement. Read between the line and THINK about the message!! I can see, many of you guys on these threads, don't know anything about the mental game and this is going to be my last time responding to you all!!

While I, and perhaps others, agree with a lot of what you wrote above, I've seen it all before from other sources. What rubs me the wrong way is your presentation with the implicit assumption that this is somehow new to everyone on the forum and that you're bringing enlightenment to the unwashed masses. And then you respond defensively when people criticize you. You've lost all chances of making a good first impression.

And then there was the "700 serves" tip...

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

No, they focused on competing at a high level at a young age( I read their stories) and the wins took care of themselves!!! Do you know how many players are stuck in a slump now, because they are focusing too much on winning?

I think you're right, getting distracted by things you can't control can affect your immersion in the moment, and therefore your ability to play your best tennis.
Tennis is such a mental game, you're always thinking strategy and shot selection, and at the same time constantly reading and reacting to the opponent's play. Need a clear, rational and uncluttered mind to make the very quick decisions required to play well.

 

[thomas daniels]

While I, and perhaps others, agree with a lot of what you wrote above, I've seen it all before from other sources. What rubs me the wrong way is your presentation with the implicit assumption that this is somehow new to everyone on the forum and that you're bringing enlightenment to the unwashed masses. And then you respond defensively when people criticize you. You've lost all chances of making a good first impression.

And then there was the "700 serves" tip...

No, I'm not, I am saying just use your brain for second before writing!! Of, course I didn't say winning doesn't matter(Which is what you implied)!! I said, wanting to win so much is a major problem for many juniors and pros, so why make the stupid comment. As a matter a fact, why even comment at all, if you don't understand what I was trying to say.

 

[thomas daniels]

I think you're right, getting distracted by things you can't control can affect your immersion in the moment, and therefore your ability to play your best tennis.
Tennis is such a mental game, you're always thinking strategy and shot selection, and at the same time constantly reading and reacting to the opponent's play. Need a clear, rational and uncluttered mind to make the very quick decisions required to play well.

Thanks, now explain that to S& V, because this guy doesn't know a thing about the mental game!!

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

Thanks, now explain that to S& V, because this guy doesn't know a thing about the mental game!!

Seems to me like he's well aware of these things. Maybe just doesn't like your attitude or something.

 

[thomas daniels]

Seems to me like he's well aware of these things. Maybe just doesn't like your attitude or something.

I have a great attitude! This sport is my passion and I am a student of the game, I also don't like people making stupid comments and misinterpreting what I said. He talked about Nadal and Federer, but study their careers, also Novak before, the minute they detached from the outcome in their careers, they started winning more!! HELLO. The problem is, you can have an intelligent conversation with most of these guys on the thread!!

 

[thomas daniels]

Breathing.
It's funny that I NEVER once thought that would be anything I would need to think about but I found myself being short winded after long rallies in a tournament or match.... I was like what the hell Im in good shape? I was running and holding my breath... I've worked on it and am much much better but still I catch myself doing it . Good post by the way.

Arigato!! You seem to be one of the few who actually got it!!

 

[Limpinhitter]

Agree, but stream down your point, please!!

Stream down?

 

[Limpinhitter]

Good thing Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and the best players in the world dont care about winning or losing.. oh wait...

You missed the point. Caring about winning and losing is not what he's talking about. His point is that, if you focus on winning and losing during play, then you are impairing your own ability to focus on execution.

 

[Limpinhitter]

No, they focused on competing at a high level at a young age( I read their stories) and the wins took care of themselves!!! Do you know how many players are stuck in a slump now, because they are focusing too much on winning? Guess not, because you just made a stupid statement. Read between the line and THINK about the message!! I can see, many of you guys on these threads, don't know anything about the mental game and this is going to be my last time responding to you all!!

There are a lot of things that many on this board don't know about, and they are very sarcastic about ideas they no little or nothing about. That is the culture of this board.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Breathing.
It's funny that I NEVER once thought that would be anything I would need to think about but I found myself being short winded after long rallies in a tournament or match.... I was like what the hell Im in good shape? I was running and holding my breath... I've worked on it and am much much better but still I catch myself doing it . Good post by the way.

That's why high level players are taught to blow out when hitting, as a tool to prevent holding their breath.

 

[thomas daniels]

Stream down?

Try to get your point across with fewer words!! I agree with you, but "Less is always more."

 

[rogerroger917]

No, they focused on competing at a high level at a young age( I read their stories) and the wins took care of themselves!!! Do you know how many players are stuck in a slump now, because they are focusing too much on winning? Guess not, because you just made a stupid statement. Read between the line and THINK about the message!! I can see, many of you guys on these threads, don't know anything about the mental game and this is going to be my last time responding to you all!!

The problem is you make simplistic and naive assumptions about the mental aspect of tennis. It is not wrong perse. But vastly under whelming in the actual nuance of the matter. Those of us with kids that have climbed the ladder of junior development to very high levels have obviously been focused on the mental. High performance coaches are obviously concerned about the mental game and emotional control.

Let me educate you for a moment. To tell a high level player to not worry about winning is not correct . The whole goal is to win. The junior player wants to win a national. Improve ranking. The collegiate player wants to win because wins count for himself and his team obviously. The pro wants to win because he has his whole life and livelihood based on winning. The truth is they all very much care about winning. To tell them to not care is not being truthful to themselves or the process. They care. And they wants to win badly. There is a certain threshold of anxiety and nerves that help a player. Too much and you can choke from worry. But too little and the player will not have the fight necessary to improve. The goal is to win. Do not be mistaken. The nuanced response is we know the player wants to win. And we want the player to win. What process can we put in place to ensure a stronger mental and emotional performance from the player?

The smart and astute coach figures out the player and develops mental strategies based on the personality of the player. Mental cues and patterns of thinking to manage the stresses of the match. Gives bigger goals than 1 match. Goals based on personal milestones in performance. But at no time does a sports psychologist or mental coach say winning doesn't matter. Of course it does. That is the whole point. There have been tons of study already in this. There have been books written devoping in depth these ideas. There are sports mental coaches that focus on tennis. My son actually has had through his coach sessions with a mental coach that has helped atp players and olympians. Your views pale in comparison.

There are most likely tennis coaches on this forum with vast experience in coaching the mental game. You are like a kid that just found out that babies do not come from storks and am now going around to all the adults you know telling them the secret.

Also you did post for the player to not care about winning or losing. Which you removed.

 

[Bobs tennis]

The man puts an interesting post on the board and most rip it up-Many understand what he is explaining but you are just being difficulty-I love this forum...

 

[tennis_balla]

The problem with all these posts is that @thomas daniels comes across as very condescending. I'm not saying the message he's trying to spread is wrong, however when questioned it's answered in a condescending fashion. That's not something an educated professional would do.

 

[Ash_Smith]

@thomas daniels - do you know what physiologically happens in the body when under pressure?

This might help you understand it better...

Under pressure...
Ash Smith
October 12, 2015
"You can measure a man's character by the choices he makes under pressure"
Winston Churchill

Ever wondered why we make seemingly senseless decisions under pressure, those that given the benefit of hindsight we would never have made? Have you ever asked the question of an athlete, client or colleague after a particularly heated exchange or incident - “Why did you choose to do that, at that point” and they’ve been unable to answer why?


HERE COMES THE (SIMPLIFIED) SCIENCE BIT...
Well, it is likely because of the Autonomous Nervous System (ANS) and how it responds to stress in different ways. It has two systems it can utilise, the Sympathetic Nervous System and the Parasympathetic Nervous System and each treats the brain and body in different ways.

The one we are most interested in here is the Sympathetic system, this is the system that creates a Flight, Fight or Freeze response in times of duress. When you perceive a situation of stress the reptilian brain activates and seeks a response from the "thinking brain", if it doesn’t receive one quickly enough it assumes we are in danger and signals the release of adrenaline into the system. The adrenaline speeds up muscle response, ready for flight or flight, but the side affect is that it diverts blood into the muscles (so they are ready for action) and away from the neocortex of the brain (the “thinking” bit).

Because our reptilian brain is hardwired to keep us safe, it tends to over react - for example have you ever spotted a spider on the living room carpet and panicked, only to realise it was actually a piece of fluff?! That is your reptilian brain sensing something that could harm us and seeking a response as to how to react. Fortunately, you have experience of spiders and know what they look like, so your "thinking brain" is quickly able to let you know there is no need to panic, there is no spider. Chances are though, that even in that split second, your heart rate shot up, through adrenaline being released, readying you for action.

Adrenaline, whilst being brilliant for survival in a primitive setting, where fight or flight was a reasonable response, doesn't necessarily set us up well for surviving and thriving in modern life.


EFFECTS OF ADRENALINE
When the heart rate is raised by adrenaline alone (not through exercise) to around 130bpm we are operating at approximately 30% of our cognitive (thinking) capacity as blood is diverted to other organs, if the heart rate rises to around 180 through adrenaline we are only able to access around 3% of our cognitive capacity – this is known as “mind blindness.”

As I have rugby on my mind currently (sadly the England team failure cannot be put down to mind blindness) and it was the Rugby League Grand Final this weekend I had a recollection of an incident in last years grand final.

Ben Flower of Wigan (the strong favourites) punched a St Helen's player and knocked him out before punching him again whilst he was unconscious, 2 minutes into the match. Flower was consequently sent off, Wigan played the remaining 78 minutes with 12 men and ultimately lost the match. It demonstrates a near perfect example of a player who's sympathetic nervous system is overly stressed before the match and consequently has taken that adrenaline onto the field and quite literally “lost his head”. Some adrenaline would of course be beneficial, rugby is a full contact, physically demanding sport after all, but management of that situation is essential to achieve optimal performance.

Flower's coach, or perhaps team mates, should have been able to recognise how sympathetically stressed he was in the dressing room and helped him engage his parasympathetic nervous system to rebalance. Using mindfulness techniques, breathing techniques, listening to quiet music, having a power nap or simply taking yourself out of the situation are all ways to help engage the parasympathetic system and reduce the levels of stress and consequently adrenaline to manageable levels.

I have seen many an experienced manager, leader and athlete go to pieces under pressure and make terrible, irrational decisions that they would never have made under more controlled circumstances. So next time an athlete or colleague has a moment of apparent “brainlessness” remember, their body is doing what is is designed to do, keep them safe, they are experiencing a stress response.


WHAT TO DO?
If you recognise this happening in the moment, try give them the opportunity to calm and reflect, or where possible take them out of the situation.Ideally, the athlete will have been through a training programme that prepares them to deal with such situations in an effective way - as a coach your job is to guide your athletes in practice through simulation training that replicates the stresses of competition as closely as possible – experiential learning followed by reflection is one of the most effective methods of helping learn to control sympathetic stress.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Try to get your point across with fewer words!! I agree with you, but "Less is always more."

In my experience, without at least some explanation as to "why," the "what," can be misunderstood and/or rejected altogether.

 

[Ash_Smith]

2). Detach from the outcome.

Never get emotionally attached to winning the match.

Because this will affect your play and throw off your timing and feel for your shots.

Instead, relax and trust your instincts and your pre-match training.

I get what you are trying to say, but I don't think you're going about it the right way.

Athletes will pretty much always become emotionally attached to the outcome - studies frequently show that elite athletes have a strong outcome bias (they favour winning over pretty much everything else). However, those athletes are able to accept that winning is important to them, park it to one side and still focus on the demands of the task.

Emotional attachment to winning doesn't automatically throw off your timing and affect your play - it depends on how it affects your thoughts, which in turn determines your emotional responses and therefore behaviours - for some it may be a helpful thought, for others it may not. It's all about understanding how your own internal processes work.

As a general rule yes, a process focus will be more beneficial to the vast majority than an outcome focus, but an outcome focus can be a very powerful tool if it can be channelled effectively.

 

[Limpinhitter]

The problem with all these posts is that @thomas daniels comes across as very condescending. I'm not saying the message he's trying to spread is wrong, however when questioned it's answered in a condescending fashion. That's not something an educated professional would do.

You"d be surprised what some highly educated professionals would do.

In any event, it seems that he doesn't realize or appreciate that there are some posters here who may know as much or more than he does, and that learning can and should be a two way street. A great teacher is a lifelong student.

 

[Ash_Smith]

Try to get your point across with fewer words!! I agree with you, but "Less is always more."

I think in this context you are looking for "keep it as simple as possible, but no simpler" - I think in the case of your posts you are going too simple. Yes, some of the concepts you refer to are more or less in the right ball park, but your posts often lack the application.

 

[rogerroger917]

@thomas daniels - do you know what physiologically happens in the body when under pressure?

This might help you understand it better...

Of course he doesn't understand. He thinks because he told some of his players to not care about winning and they won a few matches that is the secret. Without preparing for these responses in practice there is no way to learn how to deal with the stresses of tough matches.

The simplistic don't care if you win. Is just that. Too simplistic.

 

[Limpinhitter]

The problem is you make simplistic and naive assumptions about the mental aspect of tennis. It is not wrong perse. But vastly under whelming in the actual nuance of the matter. Those of us with kids that have climbed the ladder of junior development to very high levels have obviously been focused on the mental. High performance coaches are obviously concerned about the mental game and emotional control.

Let me educate you for a moment. To tell a high level player to not worry about winning is not correct . The whole goal is to win. The junior player wants to win a national. Improve ranking. The collegiate player wants to win because wins count for himself and his team obviously. The pro wants to win because he has his whole life and livelihood based on winning. The truth is they all very much care about winning. To tell them to not care is not being truthful to themselves or the process. They care. And they wants to win badly. There is a certain threshold of anxiety and nerves that help a player. Too much and you can choke from worry. But too little and the player will not have the fight necessary to improve. The goal is to win. Do not be mistaken. The nuanced response is we know the player wants to win. And we want the player to win. What process can we put in place to ensure a stronger mental and emotional performance from the player?

The smart and astute coach figures out the player and develops mental strategies based on the personality of the player. Mental cues and patterns of thinking to manage the stresses of the match. Gives bigger goals than 1 match. Goals based on personal milestones in performance. But at no time does a sports psychologist or mental coach say winning doesn't matter. Of course it does. That is the whole point. There have been tons of study already in this. There have been books written devoping in depth these ideas. There are sports mental coaches that focus on tennis. My son actually has had through his coach sessions with a mental coach that has helped atp players and olympians. Your views pale in comparison.

There are most likely tennis coaches on this forum with vast experience in coaching the mental game. You are like a kid that just found out that babies do not come from storks and am now going around to all the adults you know telling them the secret.

Also you did post for the player to not care about winning or losing. Which you removed.

You've gone to an awful lot of trouble to argue against a strawman. I don't see where Mr. Daniels said that not to care about winning. His words were: "Never get emotionally attached to winning the match. Because [sic] it will affect your play . . . ." He is obviously talking about a players focus during a match. Although, I am not an advocate of using absolute terms such as "never" or "always," and, I have couched similar concepts differently, there is, nevertheless, a lot of truth in that statement as a practical matter.

 

[SinjinCooper]

Tennis is a two step process.

1) Attempt to hit the perfect stroke for the circumstance.
2) Attempt to recover to the perfect position for the stroke you just hit.

Repeat.

Focus on that on game day, and the rest tends to take care of itself.

 

[rogerroger917]

You've gone to an awful lot of trouble to argue against a strawman. I don't see where Mr. Daniels said that not to care about winning. His words were: "Never get emotionally attached to winning the match. Because [sic] it will affect your play . . . ." He is obviously talking about a players focus during a match. Although, I am not an advocate of using absolute terms such as "never" or "always," and, I have couched similar concepts differently, there is, nevertheless, a lot of truth in that statement as a practical matter.

He posted do not care about winning or losing. He edited it out.

 

[haqq777]

You"d be surprised what some highly educated professionals would do.

Sure, and I've seen my fair share, but that doesn't make it right.

In any event, it seems that he doesn't realize or appreciate that there are some posters here who may know as much or more than he does, and that learning can and should be a two way street. A great teacher is a lifelong student.

Very well said.

 

[rogerroger917]

I asked my students to forget about winning for1 month and just play and they started WINNING!! Me too, when I played my best tennis, I was always relaxed and detached from the outcome, this is true with everything my friend. Again, please study my work, because I never write, what I can't back up with facts.

Well here he actually says forget about winning.

 

[sureshs]

Just think about how tennis balls are always under pressure, but don't complain. Let them be your inspiration.

 

[haqq777]

For someone who is an educated professional in the field, the way he has interacted on this thread is pretty disappointing. My $0.02

 

[styksnstryngs]

WRONG!! The more you are emotionally attached to the match, the worst you will play!! I have already done the research sir.

You sound like a two year old.
Also, "research" says that there's "science" behind what you say? I say you haven't completed in your life, at least not since 1970.

 

[styksnstryngs]

No, they focused on competing at a high level at a young age( I read their stories) and the wins took care of themselves!!! Do you know how many players are stuck in a slump now, because they are focusing too much on winning? Guess not, because you just made a stupid statement. Read between the line and THINK about the message!! I can see, many of you guys on these threads, don't know anything about the mental game and this is going to be my last time responding to you all!!

Do you know how many are in a slump? Did you do "research" on that, too? And you say people that don't understand shouldn't comment. So are you only teaching people that already know? Look, your whole persona is screwed up, right down to your arigato. Make a new account and lie low.

 

[Limpinhitter]

He posted do not care about winning or losing. He edited it out.

Ok. Fair enough.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

No, I'm not, I am saying just use your brain for second before writing!! Of, course I didn't say winning doesn't matter(Which is what you implied)!! I said, wanting to win so much is a major problem for many juniors and pros, so why make the stupid comment. As a matter a fact, why even comment at all, if you don't understand what I was trying to say.

You're conflating me with @FiReFTW - he mentioned caring about winning, not me.

I actually agree with you about caring so much about the outcome that it inhibits our playing.

But then you get defensive and call the comment "stupid".

Then you follow it up with the illogical question about why someone would bother to comment: uh, it's because you didn't make yourself clear and someone was trying to get clarification? Or do you expect people to comment only when they understand and agree with you?

Again, your material is fine; your presentation and responses are tone-deaf.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Seems to me like he's well aware of these things. Maybe just doesn't like your attitude or something.

Ding ding ding! Give that man a cigar!

 

[thomas daniels]

You're conflating me with @FiReFTW - he mentioned caring about winning, not me.

I actually agree with you about caring so much about the outcome that it inhibits our playing.

But then you get defensive and call the comment "stupid".

Then you follow it up with the illogical question about why someone would bother to comment: uh, it's because you didn't make yourself clear and someone was trying to get clarification? Or do you expect people to comment only when they understand and agree with you?

Again, your material is fine; your presentation and responses are tone-deaf.

Sorry about that bro!! Don't have a heart attack, and let's start this relationship over again.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Sorry about that bro!! Don't have a heart attack, and let's start this relationship over again.

No worries, mate. Call it a let; first serve replay.

 

[FiReFTW]

I actually do agree that you shouldn't think about needing to win during a match, and shouldn't be focused on that, as it can indeed inhibit your play and make you nervious.
I just meant that you have to have the desire and will to want to win more than anything, and being disapointed with yourself if you play bad, have a winner mentality, give 100%, do everything you can during each point.
But thinking about wanting to win and being afraid of losing can indeed make you nervious and make your feet and arm feel heavy.
For me personaly the best way to stay loose and play loose is to simply focus point by point, each point I focus on that point and think how im going to build up the point and finish the point, think tactically almost like chess, searching for a solution to win the point, that drifts my thinking away from the whole match, needing to win, can't loose, the result etc... that mentality that makes you tight and nervious, and this way of thinking makes me very focused and concentrated each point.

That being said, OP strikes me as a big headed arrogant insulting intolerant ******, in my personal opinion, can't accept anything but his own opinion and insults every single person that says something he thinks is wrong, just thought id mention that.

 

[styksnstryngs]

No worries, mate. Call it a let; first serve replay.

Too bad he's double faulted the match away.