Same opponent but different outcomes

Ardak . Asked 4 years ago

Hi coach!

There are usually 3 categories of opponents for me.

1) They beat me easily. No stress because there is nothing I can do.

2) I beat them easily. No stress because there is nothing they can do.

3) Opponents in the same level. Scores are very close. Sometimes I win, sometimes they win. Games are stressful.

Recently I started to play in a new club. There is an opponent with short pimples. I can't understand.

Sometimes our game is close.

Sometimes he plays so good, I feel like I am playing against opponent in the first category above. Scores are approximately 3:11. His serves and shots are unreturnable. He recieves my serves and strokes with ease. Even though I am in a good physical condition, shape.

Sometimes I win him so easily, I feel like I am playing against opponent in the second category above. He can't recieve my serves and shots. I recieves his serves and strokes with ease. Scores are approximately 11:3. Even though he is in a good physical condition.

Have you ever heard about such situation? What is the matter?

Alois Rosario Answered 4 years ago

Hi Ardak,

It sounds like a few things may be changing.  Either your form or his or both.

It may be the pimples that were troubling you.  When you play against the pimples there are often smaller margins because of the flatter ball that you get from the pimples.  Try to play with a bit more topspin to give you a greater margin over the net.

Also take look at our tutorial on Help Playing Short Pimpled Rubber.