Tournament learnings & prep

I played the last match of the fourth tournament this year. Since the straight loses at Olympic club my record has improved. The last two tournaments I won the first match to get into the second round. I couldn't get past the opening round of the consolation despite my firm belief I am better than the players in the consolation draw. But, believing isn't enough. I have to figure out what lost the matches I had.

I started on Friday nights well in the last two tournaments. Maybe I play better at night than in the day? In Portland, I felt pretty sharp mentally. I was alert and moving to the ball. The first match in the morning, however I was not seeing the ball well at all. Physically I was prepared to work, but mentally with regards to having the sharpness and alertness I wasn't primed. Was I tired? I didn't feel sleepy. Was I low on testosterone? Was I low on endorphins? I was responding to my mind's request to focus, but the eyes had lapses in concentration. What can battle this lack of alertness?

Exercise? Getting some adrenaline pumping by using the stationary bike?

The consolation round is filled with the 3.5 players whose winning shots are kills from the front and drives them low from the back. For these players I especially need to stay calm and focus on playing the ball higher and faster. Today and as in numerous times before I have little trouble psyching my self up, but the result is a very slow to react and stiff tight person who is not light on his feet. In this state of mind I don't see a cross court shot and I'm slow to move to my backhand. Maybe I'm simply slow to get back into position. I'm also not seeing when my opponent is ready to hit so I can halt my momentum.

Solving this problem will require achieving several things.

1. moving better with springs in my legs and stopping and going more smoothly.

2. I have to see better and be able to track the ball with less effort.

3. hit the ball higher and deeper while being able to change pace when I need to.

So how do I combat these issues?

Ghosting for one will be really important. I have to change the ghosting routine to also deal with smooth movement around the court, not just merely move efficiently. Like Richard said, I have to use that split step more often to help maintain the balance and smoothness around the court.

Another thing has to do with some breathing and eyes exercises to help with the concentration and calming relaxation.