I don't have a problem with lower level players thinking they're as good as me. If they start bragging, other players at the club know my level and don't believe them anyway. That being said, I understand how easy it is for them to think they're better than they are because of how they may play well against someone good.
Some people are good like that. I know some people who don't get it when they get a game or two and feel like they are close in a match when the other player is way better and is just being nice. I think, if you are okay with that, it is fine. Each player can have his own choice on the subject.
However, I personally feel you are doing the other person a disservice by letting him think he is too much better than he is. There are there are so many delusional characters who play this game and, because of their ego, think they are better than they are. I could mention a few random trolls from the forum here but I will leave names out.
Having known enough people like this, I feel that having the reality check in place is often worth it.
It is true guy's like Edmund would let me get a lead keep the simple tactics that allowed me to win or lose points on my own merit. But I also understood what him playing full out was like. So, I could think, "I played that point with the game on the line pretty well," without thinking: "I'm as good as Edmund!"
Heck when I hit with you, I felt we were pretty darn close in skill level. But hindsight, looking back now, I can see that it was just hitting around, and the control you had was superior to mine. Given we had a match even with your only having one eye up to par, I'm 99% sure you would have slaughtered me. But back then, I would have thought I could take you. Hell. that was less than a year ago. You'd still be able to beat me, but I feel like I would at least be able to judge the skill differences a lot better now.
I actually think, when we hit, out levels were pretty close. I am a funny player. My technique is okay. Not great but solid and consistent. And then my serve and receive skills are just weak. And your game skills and playing around and finding weaknesses serves you quite well.
So, personally, I am comfortable saying that I would not be surprised if we played matches and it went either way. Even if I did not have my game face on with that freak eye injury.
Hopefully we will get to hang out again and bang the ball around some more.
Sent from the Subterranean Workshop by Telepathy