Why you play worse in tennis matches than practice & HOW TO FIX IT!

[@miazw516]

I love this video!!! I love practicing against people with different styles and figuring them out and don’t mind losing to them either! The hard part is finding a partner thinking the same.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

That is very true

[@mjlee5617]

What a coincidence I came across this video. I will be playing a tournament this weekend, my first in 3 years. This is a good reminder to go out there to play, have fun and do anything to get the ball to opponent's court.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Yes! If you lose, they have to beat you.

[@jag-v7n]

This is the best treatment of this common issue I've ever heard! Great video Meike!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you!

[@judemascarenhas9811]

This is one of the best videos i have seen.... You have read me like a book... Thank you 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You’re very welcome

[@f.c.1407]

Thanks!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you!

[@Kenzie_Hill]

Never thought about time /exhaustion in matches. Spot on and great video! ❤❤❤

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you!

[@jlarson1040]

The main reason I don't play well or at my best is due to anxiety. It has nothing to do with how I've practiced or prepared for a match. It's hard for me to focus on the task at hand. I can do fine while warming up to play but once the match starts, I'm a basket case. I've read lots of self-help books and have even tried therapy but I'm still unable to perform anywhere close to my potential. I can't tell you how many times that I'm on the court when I say to myself, "why am I here? This is not fun."

[@joed7331]

You may need to consider supplements like magnesium/b vitamins, or make some changes to diet. Having a strong "base" can offset the effects of anxiety. For example (extreme to make a point), if all you had for the day was coffee and you went put and played, your anxiety will exacerbate several times over, you may feel weak and dizzy. Whereas, if you had a well balanced breakfast and lunch, you may feel a bit of anxiety but not enough to deter your game.

[@itsdenizcankaya]

I’m same as you but have been progressing. There are 2-3 types of players in my country’s local licensed tournaments. Pros, ex pros or coaches, 4.0-4.5 type of players like me and 3.0-3.5 players… Last year I only won 2 out of 6-7 matches against weaker players and also played my worst against ex pros. Right now this year I at least haven’t lost against a weaker player from now. My advice for you is to try to play more and more matches and get yourself goals like trying to play least unforced errors you can. Also do your best to improve your footwork. Footwork is nearly everything… Fast footwork and playing with least unforced errors would work against nearly every weaker player. One last thing, we are not in atp or itf events. So if you lose momentum or get tired, spend the most time you can during game breaks or time between points in a game. This would surely help you to be more ready for the next point or game.

[@clacleclicloclu]

Great tips! Thank You!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You’re welcome!

[@sapientbudgie5652]

Fantastic video

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Thank you

[@stevegordonson720]

What a great video Meike! I think everyone should watch this once they get serious about winning matches . about practicing and playing with people who have different styles. I mean how are you going to learn how to beat a pusher (ex.) if you dont play them !? I agree about playing more mtaches but like you said sometimers there just isnt time, I tend to play 10 point tie breakers after the warm up . its not physically as demanding but handling the nerves is very similar since one break can do you in. r

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Yes you have to try and make things work for what you can do.

[@Schuilhut]

Great vid!! Some very true quotes that I will use for myself. Like no style points... And what comments do you give yourself for an unforced error. Thank you!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

You’re very welcome!

[@joergguse4448]

Super Meike. Grüße aus Seligenstadt

[@okaretta]

I get scared during matches and start holding back. 😑 I need to go big or go home!

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

Play on your terms and you’ll win more. And even if you lose you know you’ve given it your all!

[@watcher687]

Yup, point play without wasting time hitting from the middle not more than 10 minutes. You’re not there for meditation! What I do now after a little warm up is at least to tell my practice partner let’s start moving each other around now like in a point, but not trying to hit winners initially. After 10 more minutes of doing this now start hitting winners too if the opportunity is there.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

I think that’s a great way to do it!

[@cesarfernandezlopez2209]

MEIKE KNOWS... OH YES !

[@esetavarda1049]

Winning Ugly is a good book by Brad Gilbert

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

True

[@joed7331]

Wow... Amen!!!

[@rattata30]

I also I’m A world Number one practice player but then I asked the high school coach why I sucked at matches? He said, “ play like you practice.”

[@diezukunftistelektrisch]

GET THE THING IN!!! Great! I slip of the chair!! 😂

[@Lifehasnotake2]

Yes, appreciate the ugly points you won. It showed grit and keep talking to yourself what you will do next time for the same shots that you mis-handled. Embrace the 5-4 40/30 moment but tell yourself there’ll always be next game. Never ease up your shots because you will most likely lose and you won’t be able to sleep because you’ll regret it. If you lose because someone is better than you, then work on your shots and play again.

[@kencoesens9599]

what size vcore are you using now?

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

It’s the 97

[@stingray-j2597]

Could it be vcore 95 or 98? Just based on the red paint job.. and great video thank you!

[@hollydonahue1602]

Really valuable advice. You don't get this from your club coaches (for obvious reasons! 🤣)

[@CarlosMartinez-si6pi]

Disagree- Playing down to a level bellow your level just to win doesn’t teach you anything. I don’t mind losing if I learn why I was not able to play my game.

[@KrisSchindler]

True, when playing down “just to win,” there may not be many lessons to learn. But what might be the result of playing down “just to learn?” Last summer, I joined a group of women for doubles that was significantly lower and slower than I am accustomed to playing. Above all things, I learned that I previously had made a choice to be bored and distracted when on court with lower level players. When I chose instead to focus on the practicalities of my game, I learned precisely what are my strengths and weakness on each side of the court, as well as how to leverage them on either side of the net, regardless of age or skill level of my partner or opponents. My example may seem simple, and in a way it is. That single lesson about choice though, has positively impacted every single aspect of my game.

[@sunny689]

Court surface looks like crap.

[@MeikeBabelTennis]

It’s not perfect but if you do well in less than perfect settings everything else will be easy

[@ceejay2633]

Thats me. I lose to players with half my skill and ability...but in practice, I am RF.