Hey guys! So in pretty much every match when I'm playing a decent player, I get off to a bad start and lose the 1st set. In the 1st set, it feels like I have mixed feelings about whether I should play cautiously and hope the other guy misses or to play aggressively. Sometimes I feel like I have too many thoughts in my mind, and other times I feel like I don't have enough thoughts in my mind. As a result, I hit the ball too soft, and I'm also not even that consistent. In the 2nd set, for some reason I relax and I play pretty well. But against the good players, it's really tough to win when I just give up the 1st set every time. I've tried so many things, but for some reason I still can't play well in the 1st set. Does anybody have any advice to solve this problem?
Why always have trouble in 1st set?
- Thread starter BallJam92
- Start date
GetBetterer
Hall of Fame
You know your shots, you know how to hit them, don't be afraid to miss a few.
The pre-game fear comes in everybody at the start, and you need to overcome it by bashing a few balls and going "wow, that landed in, I think I could use that" and other small reminders.
Also, try to get the 1st set if you can. In the WTP especially, people who get the 1st set end up winning the game, even if it goes to 3 sets. Not always, after all Michael Chang went from 0-2 (sets) to 3-2 to win using an underhand serve.
The pre-game fear comes in everybody at the start, and you need to overcome it by bashing a few balls and going "wow, that landed in, I think I could use that" and other small reminders.
Also, try to get the 1st set if you can. In the WTP especially, people who get the 1st set end up winning the game, even if it goes to 3 sets. Not always, after all Michael Chang went from 0-2 (sets) to 3-2 to win using an underhand serve.
HunterST
Hall of Fame
I'm kind of the same way, but I've gotten better about it. A few things that helped me:
1. Being physically warmed up. I think it's best to have a light sweat going before you start playing. I like to do some jump rope work before going out to warm up with my opponent. I'm not real structured with it, I just do about fifty jumps, rest for 20 seconds, repeat until I'm sweating.
2. Ideally you should do hitting prior to hitting with your opponent. It's tough to be watching your opponent's strokes to help form a game plan AND get your own strokes ready within 10 minutes. I know it's not always doable because you have to find a suitable hitting partner, but if you can, it helps.
3. When you're warming up try to hit DEEP into the court. I actually aim for the baseline, but make sure I'm hitting up on the ball and getting topspin. I think this warms your arm up and prepares you to really hit your shots. It's easier to back off of your shots a little if you're putting too much on them than it is to add pace if you're pushing (imo).
HunterST
Hall of Fame
True, there is a statistic that the person who wins the first set ends up winning the match around 80% of the time.
Sounds to me you have trouble concentrating/getting into rhythm right away.
Extra warm up and feeling confident with your strokes before you even play is always a huge bonus. But for the mental side of the problem, you'll want to start off with a game plan, something to focus on. If it work's keep focusing on it. If it doesn't ask yourself why it isn't working after trying it a couple times. Is it because you aren't executing or because your opponent is eating your plan up? If your opponent is eating it up, change plans try exploiting something else. If you aren't executing, ask yourself what you're not hitting well and what you are. If you're hitting your forehand well, use it more, if your backhands not working, find ways to cover it up and help improve it over the course of your match. If you're playing bad in general, shorten up the court, don't go as close to the lines, and keep the balls in play, make your opponent earn points while you gain rhythm.
I may have made this sound like a lot of stuff put into your head but it really isn't much. This will help you focus and focus on the right things. Don't get caught up too much technically with your stroke mechanics. Also high percentage tennis wins, don't go for low percrentage strategies unless you're forced too.
Extra warm up and feeling confident with your strokes before you even play is always a huge bonus. But for the mental side of the problem, you'll want to start off with a game plan, something to focus on. If it work's keep focusing on it. If it doesn't ask yourself why it isn't working after trying it a couple times. Is it because you aren't executing or because your opponent is eating your plan up? If your opponent is eating it up, change plans try exploiting something else. If you aren't executing, ask yourself what you're not hitting well and what you are. If you're hitting your forehand well, use it more, if your backhands not working, find ways to cover it up and help improve it over the course of your match. If you're playing bad in general, shorten up the court, don't go as close to the lines, and keep the balls in play, make your opponent earn points while you gain rhythm.
I may have made this sound like a lot of stuff put into your head but it really isn't much. This will help you focus and focus on the right things. Don't get caught up too much technically with your stroke mechanics. Also high percentage tennis wins, don't go for low percrentage strategies unless you're forced too.
xFullCourtTenniSx
Hall of Fame
Go for your shots, making sure to get plenty of spin and height over the net, but make the right decisions. If you make the right decisions, you're less likely to miss and will force your opponent into uncomfortable positions simply because they're taking all the risks and any that don't pay off will bite them hard in the @$$.
BagelMe
Semi-Pro
during the tennis season I always struggled with 1st sets. Especially on away matches.the problem was that I could never get a good feel for the ball right away and I started losing my composure. My suggestion is that you have a good warm up and also between points relax yourself and plan out what you want to do so you go in to the point with 100% concentration.
hopefully this helps you.
hopefully this helps you.
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