Losing mentality

carol almond Asked 15 years ago

Hi Alois

I have returned to table tennis this january after over 30 years of not playing.

I came back into the game not expecting to win and then spent this summer playing mainly premier players ( I am div 1), so the losing has carried on. Now psychologicaly I have a problem, even when I win an individual match, I then go on to drastically lose the next.

I just can't win a match! I have been told I have 'losing mentality' and that until I win 2 or 3 matches this won't change, but how do I win 2 or 3 games in the first place?

The pressure is on me to win some games now the league has started and I get very nervous, but I know that I am a good enough player to win some of these games.

Can you please help?

Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago

Hi Carol,

Think firstly about working for every point rather than thinking about winning the match.  Work out strategies to win the point.

Then think about playing some good Table Tennis rather than focusing on the winning too much.  This will help a bit. Understand also that you will get a bit nervous when you are playing.  See how well you can sope with that.  Everyone goes thorugh the same thing.

See if you can play some practice matches against lesser opponennts as well.  This will allow you to develop your game as well and to win a few matches.  It certainly does help.