text: MurraysWorld > Tennis Talk > Mental problems 0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
  Mental problems « on: February 24, 2006, 12:09 AM »
  Of those of you who play the game, can you help? I play sort of higher-division club-level stuff (i.e. on a good day I could give an over 40s county player a half-decent game). Tonight, I played my regular weekly singles game against my doubles partner. Here's what happened:
  I won the first set 6-4.
  Second set, I was utterly dominant and should have won it 6-2. I broke early and kept holding with ease, constantly threatening his serve with several break points - without converting them. So I'm serving for the match at 5-4... and I knew, I just knew all through the set that, because I'd been holding easily and not taking advantage of my chances, that I'd blow my 5-4 service game.
  And I did. And I lost the set 7-5, completely against the run of play.
  So, to those of you who play to a higher level - how can I stop myself thinking like this? I reckon my problems are 90% mental.
  Maybe a change of attitude? « on: February 24, 2006, 12:52 AM »
  Sounds like you want it too much, you might be over analyising too, you may totally disagree with me but heres what i have to say..
  I'm a decent darts player that on his day can hit about 10-15 180's, i have a good conversion rate on my opportunites and during matches or even practise i act like im enjoying every second and it translates into my play positively. Darts being a mental game you might want to take this advice into consideration. I play tennis but only for fun... isn't that why your playing in the first place? Enjoy it a bit more, the account of the match seems like its life or death. When you start your next match you might remember this reply and think what a complete darts twa.t atleast it takes ur mind off losing eh?
  Re: Mental problems « on: February 24, 2006, 12:57 AM »
  I knew, I just knew all through the set that, because I'd been holding easily and not taking advantage of my chances, that I'd blow my 5-4 service game.
  You lost the match right there. Negative thoughts are stronger than positive ones, you can't think you're going to lose or your subsconcious will screw up.
  That's my precious advice for today, $10 an hour from now on.
  Mental problems « on: February 24, 2006, 01:02 AM »
  $10 thats a bit cheap...
  Mental problems « on: February 24, 2006, 01:03 AM »
  $10 for 1minute of my time is not bad you know...
  ...yes that's right, $10 per minute not per hour
  Re: Mental problems « on: February 24, 2006, 01:04 AM »
  But u said an hour are you going mad?
  Mental problems « on: February 24, 2006, 01:06 AM »
  lol u edited it whilst i posted. nice
  Mental problems « on: February 24, 2006, 01:07 AM »
  Quote from: "tomdabomb"
  False advertising, that's the reason...
  ...'Mentalville' can keep their gates shut.
  Mental problems « on: February 24, 2006, 01:09 AM »
  I hear cooky-land will take anyone... how i heard it is bothering me..
  Mental problems « on: February 24, 2006, 01:10 AM »
  Dollas, just looks nicer or american TV is poisoning me
  Damn you Jack Baeur, damn you!
  Mental problems « on: February 24, 2006, 01:12 AM »
  I might think about that one lol
  Mental problems « on: February 24, 2006, 01:15 AM »
  I agree with Mark. You should cut out the negative thinking. I'm a lower-mid level club player, but i enjoy my tennis so i either have bad days or good days. Never days when i play great then blow it.
  Now playing pool on the other hand, a great example of choking!
  I broke off and had the perfect start. One ball pots, 5 more in potabel postions, not easy to get to but i started playing some brilliant shots. Got down to the only ball that i had stuck between the other guys ball and the cushion. Tried to get it off after potting my 6th Red but i just clipped it and ended up snookering myself. Still managed to play a good shot to prevent the foul. Anyway, this guy pots a couple then i go back on and instantly pot my red. Finally on, the black. In blistering form too. It should be an easy victory.....but oh no. Stupid me tries to play for too hard a pot rather than just setting up the blakc over the pocekt. He goes back on and pots a couple more. I get nervous and am actually thinking about losing. I start shaking slightly when i go down to line up the shot. Totally useless. This is where i lost the game. 10 shots ( YES 10) later he pots the black and i lose disgracefully!
  The power of negative thinking is very strong. not a good thing. Just relax and enjoy the game. Your obviously a good player, but the match above is just a weekly game between friends. If your that worried about it, then waht are u gonan be like in matches?
  Mental problems « on: February 24, 2006, 01:16 AM »
  Oh god, I spelt his name wrong
  It's Bauer not Baeur... I'm not going to be able to sleep at night now, Jack's back and his on my case.
  Mental problems « on: February 24, 2006, 04:27 AM »
  Thats the toughest thing in all sports - beating yourself. Many sportsperson are immensely talented but sometimes find it hard to accept their own talents in difficult situations. Those who can beat themselves, well, they become Andy Murray.