Well tournament matches kind off having a lot of thoughts In my mind

[Andre D]

Well Its like this, I havent really made many tournaments, I intend to this year.
I am going to play tomorrow in the morning if it doesnt rain, and by what people told me I may defeat him, and Its the first time I get a opponent who Is not a lot stronger than me, I always had stronger oponents on the draws, please give me all your suggestions =)

Best regards

 

[Mike2228]

Pay alot of attention to your oponent when he warms up. Watch his backhand and serve carefully.

 

[Andre D]

backhand? so If I can observe if it is something I can exploit? and can you tell me more about serve?

 

[Gene1994]

backhand? so If I can observe if it is something I can exploit? and can you tell me more about serve?

When your opponent is warming up his serve, pay attention to these things:

1. See if he varies his toss with different types of serves. If he does, during the match it should be easy to read what type of serve is coming at you.

2. Take note of how high his second serve kicks. If it's a heavy kick, be prepared to step in more to catch the serve earlier before it kicks out of your reach.

3. Try to figure out where he likes to serve the most. I.E. Out wide, body, or down the T.

Hope this helps.

 

[Andre D]

When your opponent is warming up his serve, pay attention to these things:

1. See if he varies his toss with different types of serves. If he does, during the match it should be easy to read what type of serve is coming at you.

2. Take note of how high his second serve kicks. If it's a heavy kick, be prepared to step in more to catch the serve earlier before it kicks out of your reach.

3. Try to figure out where he likes to serve the most. I.E. Out wide, body, or down the T.

Hope this helps.

thanks for your help

 

[gjr]

tournament matches

also check if he is right or left handed lots of people do not like to play

us lefties

 

[10ACE]

Know u are going to win- do not let up - breath from ur stomach when nerves or winded- take ur time when needed

 

[GetBetterer]

Focus on the ball - not your shots. I'm sure you've played Tennis for quite some time (it sounds like it), so when you know how to hit the ball. When people have their emotions get in the way, then they end up losing.

Also, someone already mentioned that you should study your opponent. Here are some good ways how:

1. Hit directly to him, see if he switches to try and improve each, or if he just keeps going forehand for comfortable shots.

2. Hit some short balls in the middle (not beginning) of the warm up and see if he comes up to the net. If he doesn't, chances are he doesn't like the net - but this isn't always the case.

3. Test his backhand with a slice. If he's a two-handed backhander, chances are he will do three things:
a) Not get the slice over the net.
b) Be in an awkward, unbalanced position to return the ball.
c) Slice back because he knows of the two above.

For a one-handed backhander, they will do two things:
a) Slice the ball back.
b) Be very careful with his one-handed backhand ending in a poor return.

The advantages to #3 are these: If they hit a slice, then it'll come floating back at you allowing you to set up again without pressure of them attacking you aggressively - especially if they dislike the net.

Either that or they hit a poor shot you can attack, or it doesn't go over the net at all.

As for you, try to hide your weakness. Try using your backhand a little bit, go up to the net to practice your net game (and if you don't have one he'll think you do).

Then in match play, just focus on the ball and how or where you're going to hit it rather than the point even if you're down 5-0 on match point or something.

 

[Andre D]

also check if he is right or left handed lots of people do not like to play

us lefties

Forgot to mention I am a lefty

Know u are going to win- do not let up - breath from ur stomach when nerves or winded- take ur time when needed

I appreciate your suggestion very much

Focus on the ball - not your shots. I'm sure you've played Tennis for quite some time (it sounds like it), so when you know how to hit the ball. When people have their emotions get in the way, then they end up losing.

Also, someone already mentioned that you should study your opponent. Here are some good ways how:

1. Hit directly to him, see if he switches to try and improve each, or if he just keeps going forehand for comfortable shots.

2. Hit some short balls in the middle (not beginning) of the warm up and see if he comes up to the net. If he doesn't, chances are he doesn't like the net - but this isn't always the case.

3. Test his backhand with a slice. If he's a two-handed backhander, chances are he will do three things:
a) Not get the slice over the net.
b) Be in an awkward, unbalanced position to return the ball.
c) Slice back because he knows of the two above.

For a one-handed backhander, they will do two things:
a) Slice the ball back.
b) Be very careful with his one-handed backhand ending in a poor return.

The advantages to #3 are these: If they hit a slice, then it'll come floating back at you allowing you to set up again without pressure of them attacking you aggressively - especially if they dislike the net.

Either that or they hit a poor shot you can attack, or it doesn't go over the net at all.

As for you, try to hide your weakness. Try using your backhand a little bit, go up to the net to practice your net game (and if you don't have one he'll think you do).

Then in match play, just focus on the ball and how or where you're going to hit it rather than the point even if you're down 5-0 on match point or something.

Thank you very much get betterer Ill keep that in mind

 

[Andre D]

Ok I passed the first round, almost 3h playing, now I got to play with the 22# Ranked, He is way better than my any thoughts?

 

[AlexDK09]

Ok I passed the first round, almost 3h playing, now I got to play with the 22# Ranked, He is way better than my any thoughts?

Don't care! Just play your own game! I don't know if you like this strategy but when I play a way better player I just try to bring back every ball and play a bit more defensive.

 

[Andre D]

Well I lost in the second round, It was a stupid loss, I was thinking he was a lot stronger than me,the only thing he had better was the aproach and the netplay, and he had way more experience than me, but I was stupid none the less, because my opponent won against a friend of mine(6-0 6-1) who I´ve never won against I went there thinking I was going to lose. The main problem wasnt that, because even when I think i am going to lose I never give up and give my best, but there was a sound In my head saying, you are not supposed to win against him, we made a good game however when I had the chance to end game points I failed because of that voice

 

[GetBetterer]

I told you not to let your ego get in the way.

 

[Andre D]

tryed. not easy thought, I will definatly win the next time.
Well first game was funny, In my country we haven´t got many grass courts and It was the first time I played on one...It rained in the previous day and the grass was syntethic so I slided a lot and lost my balance sometimes, I played for consistency and the other guy had a good forehand so he had the advantage, even if he hit for the winner and I defended it i would be in the end of the court due to sliding and therefore losing balance(ps: i am not a pusher even though my strokes were awfull in that match, probably due to me being scared ), and turning sideways was hell as well I didnt really enjoyed that court, oh and the court had a bit of sand...In the second match the court was almost dry but in the morning it was hell to play, I have some parts of the match taped but the quality is awfull and therefore I wont put It in youtube however next week Im playing as well and I Intend to tape it with a better camera I will ask for suggestions then... Thank you all for your support

 

[AlexDK09]

In which country do you live? Good luck in your next tournament and just don't give up!

 

[Andre D]

Portugal and thank you very much, I Intend to get to number one !

 

[AlexDK09]

That would be nice.

 

[10ACE]

Well I lost in the second round, It was a stupid loss, I was thinking he was a lot stronger than me,the only thing he had better was the aproach and the netplay, and he had way more experience than me, but I was stupid none the less, because my opponent won against a friend of mine(6-0 6-1) who I´ve never won against I went there thinking I was going to lose. The main problem wasnt that, because even when I think i am going to lose I never give up and give my best, but there was a sound In my head saying, you are not supposed to win against him, we made a good game however when I had the chance to end game points I failed because of that voice

NOOO!! #'S do not matter seriously- I have won against guys ranked #2 in my division and I have lost to people who are in the 50's- when we "let them in"--- wow that guy's the number 1 or number 5 doesn't matter-

anyway next time you will go out play your game- don't care what anyone thinks- doesn't matter- what matter is 1 pts at a time- never let up- you can be up 4-0 and still loose.

 

[Andre D]

I will definetely wont be astonished or scared when I play some1 else again, well It was an experience..


BTW: I know Its off the thread but, when I make a cross court short angle on the right side I should cover the right side, right? Because I my oponent disguised his approach very well, It was the first time I couldnt tell If he was going to hit cross court or down the line...I always went by probablilities or Instinct when I responsed to his aproaches

 

[AlexDK09]

I think that it's better to move to the middle of the court so that you can cover both sides of the court.

 

[Andre D]

hm, I must be careful when hitting a drop shot or hitting cross court, next time Ill be sure to hit it to the opponents left hand side.

As far as going to the mid, If I go to the mid of the court he´ll prolly hit a outstanding cross court shot, I think ofc..

 

[AlexDK09]

hm, I must be careful when hitting a drop shot or hitting cross court, next time Ill be sure to hit it to the opponents left hand side.

As far as going to the mid, If I go to the mid of the court he´ll prolly hit a outstanding cross court shot, I think ofc..

If you are staying on the right side than the shot down the line will be a winner against you. If you are going to middle of the court than you'll probably have a great chance at both shots (down the line and cross court), that's what I've learned.