Hey Deep!
Ok I’ve definitely been here before and I’m sure many players have where it seems you are always losing the close games in the 5th and it’s definitely frustrating. It’s not always easy to pinpoint why this is happening and sometimes it’s a case of confidence after you’ve lost a few close one’s. But what I would say is really try to focus when you get to the match points on the specific tactics that have worked during the game, or what has got you to that position.
Try to really put out of your mind that it’s match point and think about what you’ve done during the match that was effective and make sure you do your best to follow this. It could be a certain serve, attacking first playing to a certain position which is difficult for them but really try to go into those key points with a clear focus.
This will help the serve faults to as it will give you a clearer focus. Also I would say sometimes it can just be getting over the line one way or another in one of those close games and the confidence will come, it can take time but it will turn around, so don’t be too hard on yourself however frustrating it is.
Also as hard as it is, really try to stay relaxed and take a deep breath before those big points, if you can do this I’m sure you will start winning more often than you lose. Let me know how it goes in upcoming matches!
Cheers, Tom
