Just wondered whether some of you might be able to give some advice on something which is bothering me atm, to do with the mental aspect of the game.
I've had a couple of matches recently which I should have won easily but just haven't taken my chances. I played a Czech guy a few days ago (bit of a counter-puncher, heavy sliced back, good mover. I had to go for big shots against him all the time) and in the first set I had two set pts at 5-4 but missed two routine backhands and then in the tiebreak I led 6-3 but missed all 3 set pts and then missed a few more before eventually clinching it 10-8 and luckily I went on to win 7-6(8), 6-2.
Then this evening, I played a serve-volleyer guy, it went to 3 sets. He led 5-3 in the 3rd and had 2 match pts, I saved both and broke back, it went to a tiebreak. I led 4-0 and then 5-2 in the breaker but managed to lose it 7-5 !
As you can gather, I don't seem to be playing the big pts particularly well especially against these type of opponents who doesn't have that much from the back, just consistent players so I have to try and hit through them. Problem is that at key pts, my mind tends not to stay in the present and I get tight so the feet stop moving and I don't hit through the ball and end up making errors. My natural instinct is to attack, but should I maybe curb this on some of the big pts and opt more for consistency.
I kind of know what you mean, although I play a totally different way to the way you do.
I find it a lot easier to chase than to lead, and have manage to pull off some outrageous comebacks (6-1, 5-0 *40-15 down to win for instance), but struggle when I get a break up
I think what you have to do is not think about the fact that you are 1 point away from winning, and just treat it as if it was just another point in the match, or try and imagine you are match point down and have to win the point
Naturally, I am a counter-puncher, and don't make too many mistakes, so I don't have the problem of going for too much on the big points (I tend to just make sure I get the ball in, and if it is a short ball then I'm not worried as I am very quick around the court and have a beautiful lob off both sides which is almost unplayable if it is working well)
I would say you probably still need to try and attack if that is your game, but instead of going for the line and the clean winner, go for the shot just inside the line which will force the error from your opponent instead of an outright winner
sheddie u watch enough tennis to know this is the normal problem. you just have to play one point at a time, thats it. dont worry about it too much, most players have it.
when you are playing very consistent players then i guess there is a temptation to feel the need to go for it on a big point, but its generally not the best idea, remeber they are under pressure too so the best bet is to try and make them play.
btw i have been putting qute a lot of time in recently on court 3-4 hrs a week. inc 1-2 hrs coaching, so my game is rasining.
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