Help: i feel really down coz i lost a match due to lack of confidence again?

Question

it's like whenever i hit the ball my body was'nt moving at all and my arms was tight and i just was'nt letting go and kept dropping suicidal short balls. it is so frustrating why i keep playing like i really want to practice but my wrist at the moment feels injured.

any wise words/ or some positive cheering up thanx very much reading!

its frustrating coz when im practicing technically im perfect but as soon as i step onto a match arena my legs don't move my arms just don't have confidence to hit through the ball.

Answer 1

Try not to get wound up, watch a few matches, take a couple of days off playing.

Soon as a set or 2 goes your way, you will feel better

Answer 2

Join the club buddy!

Answer 3

Find some way to cheat like make the other player trip by distracting them

Answer 4

Tell yourself to focus, and then just think about moving your feet. or say, "watch the ball" to yourself. Anything that can get you to keep all your thoughts on hitting that ball instead of yourself.  Jump and remember Nadal is always on his toes the minute the point starts. You rarely see his heals touch the ground. But that's on clay and lawn.

Take dancing lessons, in particular the fox trot. That sounds weird, but footwork is a key aspect of the game. A lot of big tennis players also loved futbol, aka soccer, where you also need great footwork.

Someone said tennis is not a game of one hit after the other, its overall, so if you s***w up one shot, quickly asses what was wrong about it and then move on quickly to the next one.

Great term you came up with "suicidal short balls" heh!  Get a coach to hone up your game.

Answer 5

Just relax and believe in yourself. Take a few days off now and then to relax and calm down. Good luck in your next match!

Answer 6

When you are playing, just relax. Dont tense up your muscles. Relax and concentrate.

Answer 7

I no how you feel i felt like that in a match i played last week. I kept running round my backhand which was forcing me out wide and my opponent would just put one down the line it was really frustrating.And also when i am playing against my coach my shots are perfect and i feel that i just can't put them into a game situation.

The advice my coach has gave me is to blank everything around you apart from the ball. Just think the aim of the game is just to get the ball over the net once more than your opponent the shots don't have to be perfect all of the time.

Concentrate on your breathing this helps you get into a zone. Always watch the ball onto the strings and get into a rhythm. Tennis is the hardest racket sport to play so don't put yourself down. Think positive! Take some time out to take your mind of tennis for a while. I play 3 times a week regularly and i have at the max 1 days rest before i play again and it can be tough on me as i am still in full time education. I just have to make sure im focused and fit to play at the time when it all matters.

Hope this helps and don't feel frustrated you are playing a great sport!

Good luck x