Cannot close the game after 40:0

[?] Subscribe To This Site

Cannot close the game after 40:0

by Karine
(Paris, France)

If I lead like 40/0 in a game, most of the time I allow my opponent to come back to deuce and even sometimes win the game.

It's the same for a whole set as soon as I lead 3/0, 4/1... I freeze and let the other come back.

Although I'm aware this is all in my mind and I should be able to win this one more point or the next game because I just did may in a row, I can't help... Any suggestion?

Comments for
Cannot close the game after 40:0

Click here to add your own comments

You don't control the score
by: Tomaz

Hi Karine,

You didn't mention your fear so I assume that your fear is that you won't close the game (or set) when you are well ahead.

Here are some points to think about:

1. Realize that you are NOT in the control of the score. Saying "... I allow my opponent to come back to deuce..." is not really true.

You don't control your opponent 100%. Maybe she plays well and wins some points and comes back and you still play well.

Also: "...I should be able to win this one more point..." - this again is not true.

If your "should" is true, then EVERYONE who leads 40:0 wins that game. Is that true?

Of course not. This is sport and you are doing your part to win the point, your opponent is doing her part and there's also the "chance" (the luck) that plays it's part.

2. No matter what you do, you will lose some games after leading 40:0. Everyone does, even Nadal, Federer, Williams sisters and others.

Blaming yourself for losing the game won't work. What you can do is to stay focused and aggressive until the game (or set or match) is over.

This will lower the probability of losing the advantage but it cannot eliminate it.

Be aware of the letdowns and work on preventing them.

My guess is that someone criticized you in the past (or still does) when you have "lost the lead" and you believed them.

You thought it was your fault.

If that were true, it would mean that you are in control of every point. Therefore you would be able to win every point in the match. (since you control it).

But that's not true, right?

Which means that you are to blame every time you lose the lead is not true either. (since you don't control the score)

I suggest you read my full article on not winning when in the lead and the article on probability and also let me know what do you THINK when you're leading 40:0 or 4:1 in games.

X Close Editor

Rating

Submitted by: Tomaz

Title

Comment
Hi Karine, You didn't mention your fear so I assume that your fear is that you won't close the game (or set) when you are well ahead. Here are some points to think about: 1. Realize that you are NOT in the control of the score. Saying "... I allow my opponent to come back to deuce..." is not really true. You don't control your opponent 100%. Maybe she plays well and wins some points and comes back and you still play well. Also: "...I should be able to win this one more point..." - this again is not true. If your "should" is true, then EVERYONE who leads 40:0 wins that game. Is that true? Of course not. This is sport and you are doing your part to win the point, your opponent is doing her part and there's also the "chance" (the luck) that plays it's part. 2. No matter what you do, you will lose some games after leading 40:0. Everyone does, even Nadal, Federer, Williams sisters and others. Blaming yourself for losing the game won't work. What you can do is to stay focused and aggressive until the game (or set or match) is over. This will lower the probability of losing the advantage but it cannot eliminate it. Be aware of the <a href="http://www.tennismindgame.com/letdown.html">letdowns</a> and work on preventing them. My guess is that someone criticized you in the past (or still does) when you have "lost the lead" and you believed them. You thought it was your fault. If that were true, it would mean that you are in control of every point. Therefore you would be able to win every point in the match. (since you control it). But that's not true, right? Which means that you are to blame every time you lose the lead is not true either. (since you don't control the score) I suggest you read my full article on <a href="http://www.tennismindgame.com/losing-a-lead.html">not winning when in the lead</a> and the article on <a href="http://www.tennismindgame.com/probability.html">probability</a> and also let me know what do you THINK when you're leading 40:0 or 4:1 in games.

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

Trick yourself
by: Dennis

Hi Karine...I use a silly little trick when I'm in that position. I reverse the score in my head. For instance if you're leading 40-luv...call it luv-40 in your head and serve and play the point as if you're behind. Like I said it's a little silly...but it's worked for me plenty of times.

my htoughts
by: Anonymous

Thanks for your long answer!
I think both situation are very different in my mind:
1/ 40/0: suddenly this thought will come up"oh god, here it comes again... you can't let her back..." I know it causes me to lose points but the thought just "pop up" and once it's there, harm is done.

I will try Dennis' suggestion i.e reverse the score in my head but then, I'm a little afraid of losing track of the real score... We'll see.

2/ I'm several games ahead: I think this one is more complex and I didn't really identify a special thought. It's more like I try to play safe but that's not my game style and then I play too safe and let the other take the lead. But then if I'm leading it's pretty stupid to play 100% and take so much risk, no?

As for your comment, I agree 100%. That's the story of my life: I want to control everything at anytime. May be tennis will teach me how to... just like it saved my life in the beginning, but that's another story...

Play what works
by: Tomaz

Karine,

1. You say:- at 40/0 this thought will come up "oh god, here it comes again... you can't let her back..."

Again, notice that you believe you control the match and the you let her back. You don't.

You need to accept that in roughly 50% of the time (if you play a relatively equal player) your opponent will win the point at 40:0 no matter what you do. She can play tennis too, you know? ;)

In tennis we are NOT so good or so much better that we control the match. It's all one big lottery and we just try to nudge the probabilities and a percentage point here or there.

2. You say: "It's more like I try to play safe but that's not my game style and then I play too safe and let the other take the lead. But then if I'm leading it's pretty stupid to play 100% and take so much risk, no? "

What you're trying to do here is not lose the lead, right?

Let me ask you this: Have you ever thought at 4:1 to make the score 5:1?

Now compare this type of thinking to your type of thinking (I don't want to lose the lead) and think how your body and mind will react to each of those thoughts...

negative thinking
by: Anonymous

It's so true. It all comes to negative thinking...again! Working on my mind will be a job of a lifetime.
thanks!!!

Cannot Close Game After 40:0
by: Tunde

Every Point you win in tennis is as a result of your effort, this includes errors from your opponent.i.e your opponent will double fault if he/she knows you can eat up the second serve. The point you lost when you put same effort is as a result of difficulty of the game of tennis. At 40-0, you must put the same effort that got you the lead, trying to protect your lead by just poking the ball back will not help. The opponent will have stepped up his effort as well so you have to make sure you stepped yours above his especially when he's climbing back 15-40, 30-40
If he catches up, that is tennis! you have played your best, the difficulty of this game is at work. If it works against you in a game, it might work for you in another game. That is why you can lose your serve and break your opponent back immediately if both are playing well. If you play perfect shots at the right time and lost, then you should be happy with your play. Your opponent must have been mentally tougher than you. Stroke wise you could have been better! You have to respect his win because winning in tennis is a measure of good technique,fitness, strategy and mental toughness.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Practice and Match Play

footer for tennis mind page

Cannot close the game after 40:0

Comments for Cannot close the game after 40:0

Comments for
Cannot close the game after 40:0