Thanks Tomaz, I’d be the first to admit I get nervous in matches yet weirdly not on first serve because I have confidence in it. Recreating that pressure in non-match situations is hard, even practice matches; the closest I can come is warming up before a match with the oppenent at the other end. I will try to serve only top spin in my next match and see what happens!

Thanks Tomaz, I’d be the first to admit I get nervous in matches yet weirdly not on first serve because I have confidence in it. Recreating that pressure in non-match situations is hard, even practice matches; the closest I can come is warming up before a match with the oppenent at the other end. I will try to serve only top spin in my next match and see what happens!

I would not see that you have 3 options for a second serve (slow flat, topspin and slice), it’s just topspin.

It’s the only type of serve we use for second serves, even on pro tour. Slice is used maybe 5%, flat never.

While you’re saying your second serve is reliable in practice, it may still have technical flaws that will only become apparent under pressure.

Check this link for a flat vs topspin swing path analysis and see if that helps:

https://link.getonform.com/view?id=8DiwmGiFuRxN816PozRF

Otherwise, you need to hit second serves first under moderate pressure well, that means in practice matches.

Another option is to serve topspin serve only in actual matches for a couple of months until you completely ingrain it.

But as always in matches, you need to catch yourself in case you’re focusing on the outcome.

Every time we focus on outcome, we will experience pressure.

So you need to focus on execution, meaning visualizing the desired trajectory you want to hit and then just executing it.

Also accepting an occasional double fault as normal since that’s what it is for everyone, even pro level.

If you don’t want to make a double fault, that’s also desire for outcome and that’s also wanting something impossible in the long term.

Check this video for simple tips on how to manage pressure: https://youtu.be/ri2NoXCaKBw

Hey Ed,

I would not see that you have 3 options for a second serve (slow flat, topspin and slice), it’s just topspin.

It’s the only type of serve we use for second serves, even on pro tour. Slice is used maybe 5%, flat never.

While you’re saying your second serve is reliable in practice, it may still have technical flaws that will only become apparent under pressure.

Check this link for a flat vs topspin swing path analysis and see if that helps:

https://link.getonform.com/view?id=8DiwmGiFuRxN816PozRF

Otherwise, you need to hit second serves first under moderate pressure well, that means in practice matches.

Another option is to serve topspin serve only in actual matches for a couple of months until you completely ingrain it.

But as always in matches, you need to catch yourself in case you’re focusing on the outcome.

Every time we focus on outcome, we will experience pressure.

So you need to focus on execution, meaning visualizing the desired trajectory you want to hit and then just executing it.

Also accepting an occasional double fault as normal since that’s what it is for everyone, even pro level.

If you don’t want to make a double fault, that’s also desire for outcome and that’s also wanting something impossible in the long term.

Check this video for simple tips on how to manage pressure: https://youtu.be/ri2NoXCaKBw

Hi Kai,

If the serve works fine in practice and not in a match, then it’s a mental issue.

You don’t trust it yet so really pay attention to your successful serves in practice that you memorize them and confirm to yourself that your serve is good.

Secondly, in matches there are always mental issues so it’s more about figuring out how to cope and manage the pressure rather than expecting that there should be no pressure.

Is this more of a mental issue or do I just need to put more hours into practising my serves? I’ve been playing for about 7 to 8 years now but only really played proper matches in the last 2 years.

Thanks for your help!

Again, nice work!

Q

Control what you can!