[tennis_girl]

I think I've made a career out of losing after being up 5-0.

I overcook it too much. Start playing in my head and doubting my shots if my confidence goes after losing the next game.

[Philip]

Nigel, I am the reverse. I can come back from any situation. I rely on my consistency rather than any big weapon to win.

I just say to myself that I can do it, I can win this point, this game. I always believe I can win a match once the match has started. Of course, I never start a match that I know I totally outmatched. My motto is that it is never over until the fat lady sings. It is fascinating how one can be 3 games behind but by focusing on winning one point at a time, quite quickly one draws level and then ahead to win the set. The tennis scoring system is very deceptive. Only 4 points and one wins a game, being 2-5 behind is actually only 12 points which is not difficult to win.

The secret is using your strength vs the opponent's weakness and focusing in the present moment and play one shot at a time, focusing on winning the point. I play the percentage shots in terms of hitting and directing the ball rather than whacking the hell out of the ball. The key word being 'control' as in I know roughly where the ball is going to end up. I hit the ball away from the opponent, keeping it awkward, slicing the ball for taller players, sometimes luring them into the net then lobbing them, make them run like rabbits and tire them out. Due to lack of power, I tend not to go into full frontal exchanges but attack their weaknesses unless I have a big lead and feeling really confident. If their BH is weak then I unashamedly go to their BH. If their FH is unreliable then that is where my shots will be. I tailor my play to my opponent and the condition. If it is windy, then I add extra margin for safety, use top spin as needed.

What I notice is that as one increases the shot power, the chance of making an error increases. As a result, it is better to be in control of a rally at a slight sacrifice in terms of power. Of course, against a great opponent, I would be forced to raise my level as needed and hit bigger shots.

To not panic, it is important you are in control and aware of your breathing.  Keep it even and under control. When necessary, take a few deep breaths to re-centre yourself.  Have fun :-)

[Philip]

The key is in maintaining your focus on what you desire and not on what you fear. In a nutshell, focusing on each shot and have a very clear game plan as in 'I am hitting this ball to the BH' or 'I am hitting this ball to the FH' and visualise very clearly in your mind prior to hitting the shot as to how you want the shot to look at execution.

By breathing deeply and evenly and keeping your muscles relaxed, you minimise the chance of muscle tensing and making an error.

Here is the secret concerning the mind. At any instant in time, the mind can only focus on only 1 thing. If you are able to focus so strongly on how you are going to hit the shot, the mind has no time to imagine the worse case scenario. In other words, keep your mind occupied with how your shots are going to pan out, and use affirmations as in 'I can do it' 'I can hit this shot' and see In your mind's eyes the shot going where you want it to go.  Good luck. As with anything, practice makes perfect.

[Allan]

Yeah, some really good tips from Philip there.

I've been in positions when I've been close it winning and my opponent has played a good shot or two or I've played a bad shot or two and I've started to panic and thought 'Not going to win this. I'm going to lose!' and then it went horribly wrong from there. At least I've managed to stop that thought process lately and become more calm, focused and positive. Some of the time when I've started to panic and I've told/thought to myself, 'no, you can do this. Do not miss. Hit it to his backhand.' And during the point I've though 'not going to miss' and been really determined to not miss.

[Mark]

I'm one of those people who always manages a great comeback. But I'm also a bit of a choker too

Do either of you actually feel fear during rallies - a really constricting, nervy feeling, almost like you're playing with the brakes on? Cos that's what I feel.

Yes. When they get past a few shots I start to feel nervous, almost like I want to burst out laughing.

It's annoying because it means I tend not to hit with confidence at that point but I usually can keep it together and not make a stupid error.

If in a long rally I'm suddenly pushed to my limits, I will then play my best because the actual rally stops being in my mind. It's like passing over the controls to my subconscious.

[scotnadian]

Loving reading your posts. This is real tennis, just like Andy feels.
I only got as far as getting the feckin' ball over the feckin' net, and ended up being carted to A&E. This is a true story.

[Grabcopy]

I do feel anxious when the opponent is playing well.  I try my best to suppress the fear and focus on what I need to do, the strokes I need to make and keep breathing and keep body loose and relaxed. Have you noticed how when you are fearful, your breathing becomes constricted and your muscles become tense.

I play in a state of rigor mortis.

[tennis_girl]

Apparently going to play tennis tomorrow with someone who I haven't seen in more than a year. Won't get any good practice in, because this person sucks at tennis and I'm only as good as the person on the other side of the net.