if you turn the tables around, problems can happen when the better player under respects the opponent and like you said now staying close in the score can put the additional pressure on that better player and possibly introducing more errors, going for more that is not there game plan, since they can not shake you. i find that this increases the confidence of the lower player to keep competing and see how the better player reacts.
I agree, it can be very difficult to get players to “buy in” to the fact that the have a chance in these type situations.
I like to give my players examples of area juniors who over a long period of time improved enough to surpass these players. You tell them that this match is the first step in doing that!
Very true, Jorge! Can you provide examples of such matches where less strong players have won in the pros or other lower levels? look at Istomin and Zverev in Australia, some incredible tennis vs Novak and Andy there!
Sure Luca, there’s tons of examples of the very best players getting knocked off early in tournaments. Recently Novak in Australia, a couple of weeks ago Federer lost early. Last week Rafa was upset by Sam Querrey. The big thing I tell my players to remember is that you don’t have to be favored to win a match, you just need to realize that you have a chance. Keeping the score closed until later in the set my allow for scoreboard pressure to get to the supposeed favored player and work in our advantage.
Great insight on an age old problem, simply put you must believe to achieve…
if you turn the tables around, problems can happen when the better player under respects the opponent and like you said now staying close in the score can put the additional pressure on that better player and possibly introducing more errors, going for more that is not there game plan, since they can not shake you. i find that this increases the confidence of the lower player to keep competing and see how the better player reacts.
Good point Larry
Thank you, Jorge, excellent way of making my head up!
I agree, it can be very difficult to get players to “buy in” to the fact that the have a chance in these type situations.
I like to give my players examples of area juniors who over a long period of time improved enough to surpass these players. You tell them that this match is the first step in doing that!
Very true, Jorge! Can you provide examples of such matches where less strong players have won in the pros or other lower levels? look at Istomin and Zverev in Australia, some incredible tennis vs Novak and Andy there!
Sure Luca, there’s tons of examples of the very best players getting knocked off early in tournaments. Recently Novak in Australia, a couple of weeks ago Federer lost early. Last week Rafa was upset by Sam Querrey. The big thing I tell my players to remember is that you don’t have to be favored to win a match, you just need to realize that you have a chance. Keeping the score closed until later in the set my allow for scoreboard pressure to get to the supposeed favored player and work in our advantage.
Yes, something I struggle with but hadn’t put a name to it. Thanks
Excellent choice of topic, well-done 🙂