Facing Strangers

Mental Preparation

Mahmoud Abdallah
Mahmoud Abdallah Asked 11 years ago

Sir , when i try to play with a stranger person .  a tension kills me  .    and i lose my concentration so i find myself  playing as beginner, so i lose .. although the weakness of the opponent   .. 

and i'm going to a competition very soon .. 

what to do with that ..  ? 


Alois Rosario
Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Mahmoud,

Think more about your own game rather than who you are playing.

Focus on your own abilities rather than the contest.


Thoughts on this question


Atanas Atanasov

Atanas Atanasov Posted 10 years ago

Hey, I have the same problem! I have had so weak opponents that I didn' t know what to do. He played a forehand block from the backhand side of the table with his antispin rubber, for example, and smashed almost every ball wich is a little bit higher than the height of the net. I started to risk a lot, because I didn' t know what to do ... and eventually I lost!


Rob Janssen

Rob Janssen Posted 10 years ago

Hi Mahmoud

I think your are a little bit inconfident and worried of what others think of you.Just focus on the match only. everybody can missread the spin on a serve or miss a topspin or another stupid mistake. It doesnt matter as long as you learn from your faults.

And dont feel like a clown when you make a little mistake. Just try your very best to win.

I remember when I was leading a match 2-1 in sets and I injured my shoulder durong the match and It was hurting alot but I did not want to give up so I tried to finish the match with my weak hand. Ofcoure I felt like an Idiot even trying but I did not want to give up the match. 

Still lost that match hahaha...


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