"One More" Syndrome


You are up 5-2, serving and you say to your partner or think to yourself, “Just one more game.”
Now it is 5-3, then 5-4. Now you are getting upset then it is 5-5.

By even thinking, just one more game, you have just put yourself or your team in safe mode.
You are now playing to not lose or waiting for your opponents to lose.
When you are up 5-2, you should be saying or thinking: “C’mon lets get this first point”. Make every effort to play to win every point, after all that is what gave you the 5-2 lead in the first place.
I don’t know about you, but when I am down in a match, I fight harder. I imagine a lot of players are like that, so when you get the lead you have to fight harder for each point.

There is a way to practice this. There is very little pressure when the score is 0-0. When you are playing a social match, singles or doubles, start the match at 5-2.
Another way to practice pressure is to start the match at 4-4. Winning, losing, playing to win, playing to not lose and choking are all habit forming.
So practice winning and form some good habits.


By Barry Boren
Tennis Professional
Laguna Niguel Racquet Club