Date: 17 Jan to 20 Jan 2022
Venue: Scarbro Tennis Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
Website: Tennis New Zealand – Auckland January Junior Singles Tournament 2022
About my opponents
What kind of characteristics did Zacharia Dalzell feel as a player? What kind of tennis should I play to win?
Mikey has a one-handed backhand that I think is pretty good. He has so much topspin on his backhand. He hits crosscourt for his forehand 99% so I always cover that side.
He has a spin serve that bounces on the right side from my angle. The way to beat him is by just getting the ball deep to his backhand, do that 70% and you won’t lose against him.
What kind of characteristics did Alec Hampson feel as a player in the second game? What kind of tennis should I play to win?
He is a super defensive player and he loves hitting the ball slowly, so I tried to do Serve and Volley but the shots he hit are a looping ball so it is hard for me to volley. He is good at choosing defense and attack. When he hits a normal ball, I hit it fast and deep, then a normal player would hit it back short but he does moon ball immediately.
About my Tennis
How did I feel about my body during the match?
I won the first match 6-2 6-4, and I think it was a pretty good match. I got the 1st set easy on the, but when it was 3-1 on the 2nd set he took a game and it was 5-1 which made me nervous, and from the start, I was only thinking of winning the match and in the 1st set the feeling was in good use but from the 2nd set I wasn’t able to control it well enough. I needed to use more volley and I know I have to, but I just can’t I am too scared to miss.
What was my skill during the match?
Serve
I had strong serve and consistency. I had so much consistency in the 1st match, but in the 2nd match, I started doing double faults but had so much power, and I got many 1 shot to serve points.
Forehand
I brushed up too much, so I needed to hit through the ball then I have to brush. I went cross-court a lot because it is easy to generate power, but then when I tried to go down the line it was hard and I did side-outs, so I better fix that.
Backhand
I did my weight forward and I did my stance a little wider and then I went cross, and it was very powerful.
Volley
I had a good volley and I was able to hit it in different directions, I could have stepped 2 feet forward and hit it down/angle more.
How did I feel about my mental health during the match?
Alec, I didn’t have any feeling to win or lose the only feeling I had was just to end the game quickly and just go home. But in the 2nd set, I tried to at least get a game and just play my game even if I lose and I was able to get 4 games.
Zacharia, I got the 1st set easy on the, but When it was 5-0 on the 2nd set he took a game and it was 5-1 which made me nervous, and from the start, I was only thinking of winning the match and in the 1st set the feeling was in good use but from the 2nd set I wasn’t able to control it well enough
What was my confidence about during the match?
I only did 1 double fault in the whole entire match, and even my opponent was surprised when I did my first double fault in the 2nd set. My footwork was incredible I was doing tap tap on the floor so much, and I got many volleys he hits by running, and I thought it was great.
I was full swing my backhand and my weight was going forward, so it had so much power. I was able to change the game rhythm when I am losing, and I was hitting the ball just like I normally do.
I ran for every ball and I didn’t care even if I won’t make it, I gave it a try. I aimed where am I going to hit and it worked very well.
What was I worried about during the match?
- I shouldn’t say ‘match point’ when it is because it might give pressure to the opponent, but it is also giving pressure to yourself too.
- I have to hit a ball the has more shape.
- I want to be able to aim my backhand good just like my forehand.
- I need to hit the ball 20cm front that way I can put more topspin on the ball, but when the ball is high I can’t brush, so I need to get back, and use footwork, to recover and hit the ball at my strike zone.
- I hit the ball 90% all the time so I need to hit 70% or 80% when I am just regularly rallying.
- I want to have a better drop shot, and I need to be able to pass the opponent when they come to the net.
- I have to play my game because Alec is used to his game and if I play his game too, of course, I will lose.
- I should have hit Alec’s backhand more, I kept hitting Alec’s forehand which gave him a chance to attack.
- Alec was able to win because he knows when to attack and when to defend very well, and when I hit a good shot deep he does moonball immediately.
Looking back on the match, if I could coach (advice) myself in the match, what would I like to convey?
I need to do play my style even if I lose and, even if I lose 5-7 or 0-6 it is the opponent’s difference. I want to go and hit 3 balls through because right now I am hitting the late and I am not getting enough spin and power. I want to brush the ball more and hit topspin not flat, and when there is a high ball step back, and hit.
What do I want to improve and practice before the next game?
- I want to hit the ball at the front more and be able to brush the ball more (Hand feeding forward and backward).
- More powerful serve. (Bring down my left hand and generate more power)
