Mindset Advice: Playing Someone You've Always Lost To

[coolchap]

Hello Friends,


I have a question that’s more about mindset than technique.


Let’s say you’ve played against a particular player or doubles team multiple times—and every single time, you’ve ended up losing. Now, you’re set to face them again in an upcoming final match. Given that track record, how do you stay motivated and confident going into that match? How do you convince yourself that this time could be different, when past experience tells you otherwise?


I understand this comes down to mental strength and perspective, which is why I’m curious—how do competitive players, especially at high levels, approach such situations? For instance, players like Dimitrij Ovtcharov has never managed to beat someone like Ma Long? I know I’m referencing elite players here, but I’d really like to understand the mindset—both from the point of view of professionals and for amateur players like myself.


Thanks

 

[songdavid98]

growth mindset and good results will create confidence

keep expanding your skillset, fix your weaknesses, keep learning. every game shows weaknesses, especially losses.
this is a growth mindset.

you do need some good results. proof of improvement is a good result. even a loss can show proof of improvement. maybe the scores are looking better. that can show improvement. forcing the opponent to use an alternate strategy also shows improvement.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Hello Friends,


I have a question that’s more about mindset than technique.


Let’s say you’ve played against a particular player or doubles team multiple times—and every single time, you’ve ended up losing. Now, you’re set to face them again in an upcoming final match. Given that track record, how do you stay motivated and confident going into that match? How do you convince yourself that this time could be different, when past experience tells you otherwise?


I understand this comes down to mental strength and perspective, which is why I’m curious—how do competitive players, especially at high levels, approach such situations? For instance, players like Dimitrij Ovtcharov has never managed to beat someone like Ma Long? I know I’m referencing elite players here, but I’d really like to understand the mindset—both from the point of view of professionals and for amateur players like myself.


Thanks

I would say go ahead and experiment with new technique that you haven't tried yet. For example try to push his serves short.

Or try to loop his serves.

Or try to punish/counter his slower loops.

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

There is always a first time

 

[Tyce]

You have nothing to lose in this situation, so take risks, try to find things that work

 

[vossi39]

Not sure, how you approach your matches, but I would ask myself:

- What has worked good last time I played this player
- Why he won last time and did I learn something to make it harder for him this time
- How close was the result last time and can I make it closer this time

Get your focus off the loosing towards, what can I do better this time. If you lost 0:3 last time and can make 1:3 this time, you already achieved something. As mentioned, experiment and try to play your game, not only react to your opponent.

 

[schrodingerskoalabear]

This kind of question is right up my wheelhouse because I really get into my head thinking about the opponents, I might be playing. A few things help me (I definitely do 1 and 3 all the time):

1. Larry Hodges has always talked about finding the balance between Strategic vs Tactical development. Your question is firmly in the Tactical toolkit one. Mental tactical preparation for me means two main things:

(a) deep breathing before any matches, just really trying to relax

(b) instilling confidence by visualizing great wins over better players, visualizing training and saying something like "I am putting in the hard work, I am a great player"

2. Accepting your current level of play. Take the pressure of yourself. Remind yourself, "how I'll play today is how I'll play because that is my current level. I am a journey to getting better and today will help me"

3. Get game footage. You will play this player again, start studying their strengths and weaknesses in depth, what are they comfortable with, what are they uncomfortable against?
Strategic advice here: What weaknesses of yours are being exploited here? Can you pencil in specific drills to improve on them?

All of these little things are why I love sports in general and table tennis specifically. There are so many things you are improve, once you start paying attention.

Good luck with the game!!

 

[coolchap]

Got my game video posted here https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...ootage-–-open-to-all-comments-analysis.37444/

 

[lightspin]

1) try to win
2) if you cannot win, try different things and see what works best. Probe for weak areas.
3) use the data you learn from #2, the next time you play them again

 

[lightspin]

One more extremely important thing: if you play someone who usually beats you, then try your best to keep the score close. If they get a lead they will relax and you are probably doomed. If you can keep things close, unless they are professional, their nerves will kick in and then you have a chance. They might start thinking "What is going on? Why am I playing so bad? What should I do?" Then maybe they fall apart. Don't think too much about winning, think about keeping things close and then maybe you will have a chance.

 

[Sedis]

Focus and don't give up.
It might well be that to win you have to be having a good day and they have to be having a bad one, but if you concentrate on every point it will improve your chances.

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

Following the example of a teammate who improved a lot and faster than me (I used to beat him when we first played together but now i have very little chance...), I've started taking notes of each opponent after each match. So that when there is a rematch, i will know what worked and not last time.

and indeed it was of great use in a recent match !

[in the same file, i keep other general tips for myself that I read before a match or between sets]