Week 14 - WTA 125 - La Bisbal D’emporda, Spain (clay)

the addict · Tennis legend

Week 14 - WTA 125 - La Bisbal D’emporda, Spain (clay)

Nix · Futures qualifying

Lambda wrote:
Wasn't she studying for a psychology degree?

That's unlikely to help with regulating her emotions. I've done a psychology degree and a lot of it is science-based, understanding how the brain works, attention, memory etc rather than: why we do what we do and how we can regulate ourselves better.

Not sure what form sports psychology takes, if it's very much the psychology of winning, visualising success etc rather than how to deal with disappointment, how to get back on track when you have a meltdown etc. Of course any kind of therapy (like physical therapy) relies on the person doing the work, practising the skills for instance. It's a bit like physio only really works if you do the exercises inbetween sessions. My osteopath was really surprised that I did them when dealing with an achilles tendon strain. I don't really understand why you wouldn't as I wanted to be able to walk again properly! Back to psychology, you have to practise self regulation not just in matches but in other situations, you have to believe it is possible and learn to channel difficult feelings into motivating yourself to do better.

Crispy · Intermediate Club Player

This is where I am slightly more forgiving of Jodie; taking big risks and going for her shots are how she wins matches. I can imagine it's frustrating when her game is on fire, and only needs to misfire slightly for those shots to be missing the mark. I imagine it can disrupt her more acutely, whereas I feel Harriet simply gets distracted from digging in and using her grit to see her through matches.

Tanaqui · Intermediate Club Player

Crispy wrote:
This is where I am slightly more forgiving of Jodie; taking big risks and going for her shots are how she wins matches. I can imagine it's frustrating when her game is on fire, and only needs to misfire slightly for those shots to be missing the mark. I imagine it can disrupt her more acutely, whereas I feel Harriet simply gets distracted from digging in and using her grit to see her through matches.

There's also some evidence Jodie is trying to address her meltdowns and having some success. Before she was injured, she had several matches at the start of the year where she managed to stay calm, dig in and get past frustrating calls/misses to win the match, rather than losing the plot the way she often did in 2023. Whereas Harriet, if anything, seems to getting worse. cry

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, Jodie has certainly in the last year or so shown a huge upturn in her results in 3 set matches and other pretty close ones. She may still have her moments but nowadays tends to regroup much better without it being terminal.

This may be harsh but Harriet has long struck me as generally a bit immature.

9vicman · Strong Club Player

I hope that Harriet doesn't visit these boards...

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

9vicman wrote:
I hope that Harriet doesn't visit these boards...

I hope she does

Blue_Belle · Strong Club Player

Anyway, Harriet was in the doubles with Greet Minnen (BEL) but have been replaced by ALT's

emmsie69 · ATP level

I haven't looked back at Harriet's meltdowns but I don't recall her having a problem battling in a close match, it may be a problem that rears it's head when things are going well such as yesterdays 6-1 1st set.

Barefoot · Lower Club Player

Harriet puts, it feels, more pressure on herself than any of our other players. When its not working, carnage ensues. When she feels like it shouldve worked, she takes it out at the end (see - her reaction to Katie B last year and various somewhat salty handshakes)

That kind of drive has led her to outperform where people might have thought she could get to, great, but also implode. I actually think what she needs is some more tennis downtime. She doesnt seem to be close with any of the other Brit girls and has only a few other players shes often seen hanging out with. A bit of fun and humanity (ie perspective) would probably really help!

Crispy · Intermediate Club Player

Thats a really fair point Barefoot; I think Harriet gives so much to getting the best out of herself, and is so incredibly dedicated to the detriment of perhaps other parts of her life. I cant blame her if the pressure gets to her at some point, shes still a player who wants to succeed and has so many other creditable qualities

the addict · Tennis legend

Not mentioned here earlier, but Harriet was entered for the doubles partnering Greet Minnen. Greet lost in the first round of the singles as top seed, and they withdrew from the doubles citing a left thigh injury for Greet.