Club Championships
Club Championships are now worth writing home about. A week or so ago I played the most experienced singles player of the club for this season. But no one on Earth would think he had a chance against me and because of that very reason, was why it made me nervous. I'm supposed to win so all the expectations are on me, while he has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Another thing that adds pressure is the first match of any tournament is always unpredictable. Even the pros constantly say the same thing.
It was a tight match, at first and although he isn't a hard hitter, fast or skilled in the traditional sense, he has the mental game that would win him matches against many more celebrated players. But I just prepared myself for a psychological war and told myself to keep cool+calm. He even tried to get me to lose my focus by chatting about my game during changeovers.
Match started out at 3-3 but then I buckled down and shook the fear of losing and began to hit the ball with authority while he couldn't really keep up with his pushing style. Score was 6-3, 6-0 but it's a deceptive score because it was still a tight match all the way with absolutely no moment allowed to relax. I was thrilled with the victory.
I was feeling pretty good about myself for a few days, but the extra confidence had faded by the time my quarterfinal match was scheduled(which was last night). Good thing too because anything different than what actually happened last night woulda been a bad thing(for me. And for the good of the universe).
My opponent was my long time nemesis, one who's had an advantage over me as he's the one who re-introduced tennis to me all those years ago. Although it did take me years to catch up, I was actually the better of him for a couple of the most recent seasons. This year however, was different with him beating me again on more occasions and on more important occasions.
Match began well with me going up 3-0 but then he came back breaking me and holding to make it 3-2. I was in danger of getting broken again but managed to save a couple of break points and hold.
After that, I decided that in order to win, I had to turn the match into a contest that was more to my strengths than his. So I upped the ante and started going for my shots more and hit with more zeal to make it a hitting contest rather than one that was more about footspeed+netplay. I also began to celebrate my winners with less restraint than usual and I think that helped my confidence, energy and focus. The contest still remained close though the score didn't indicate it.
Game, set, match, 6-2, 6-0.
It was a tight match, at first and although he isn't a hard hitter, fast or skilled in the traditional sense, he has the mental game that would win him matches against many more celebrated players. But I just prepared myself for a psychological war and told myself to keep cool+calm. He even tried to get me to lose my focus by chatting about my game during changeovers.
Match started out at 3-3 but then I buckled down and shook the fear of losing and began to hit the ball with authority while he couldn't really keep up with his pushing style. Score was 6-3, 6-0 but it's a deceptive score because it was still a tight match all the way with absolutely no moment allowed to relax. I was thrilled with the victory.
I was feeling pretty good about myself for a few days, but the extra confidence had faded by the time my quarterfinal match was scheduled(which was last night). Good thing too because anything different than what actually happened last night woulda been a bad thing(for me. And for the good of the universe).
My opponent was my long time nemesis, one who's had an advantage over me as he's the one who re-introduced tennis to me all those years ago. Although it did take me years to catch up, I was actually the better of him for a couple of the most recent seasons. This year however, was different with him beating me again on more occasions and on more important occasions.
Match began well with me going up 3-0 but then he came back breaking me and holding to make it 3-2. I was in danger of getting broken again but managed to save a couple of break points and hold.
After that, I decided that in order to win, I had to turn the match into a contest that was more to my strengths than his. So I upped the ante and started going for my shots more and hit with more zeal to make it a hitting contest rather than one that was more about footspeed+netplay. I also began to celebrate my winners with less restraint than usual and I think that helped my confidence, energy and focus. The contest still remained close though the score didn't indicate it.
Game, set, match, 6-2, 6-0.
posted by ds @ 3:59 PM
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