Many of my previous coaching articles have been about equipment, strokes, footwork, etc…
Today, I would like to share with you some thoughts about recent tournament matches and what I was thinking before, during, and after the matches.  I hope that you can learn from these four lessons.
 
Tactics
In September, I played a big match in the open semifinals against Sameh Awadallah.  Typically, we have played fairly close matches, and I thought that I had decent tactics going into the match.  These tactics clearly did not work this time.  He made some good adjustments in his game, fixed some weak points, and came out playing differently than before.  I didn’t adjust well and lost badly.
KEY POINT:  Have a game plan before the match and continue to adjust the plan point by point as necessary!
 
Controversy
In October, I played another big match in the open finals against Sharon Alguetti.  He was playing very well and leading 3-2 in games.  I started off great with a 6-2 lead in the 6th.  I seemed to really be controlling the game.  After a controversial call at 6-2, I was then down 10-7 and lost 11-9, which cost me the match and title.
KEY POINT:  Even if you don’t agree with the umpire and you know that he is 100% wrong, you must agree with the umpire.  Yes, I said agree with him.  If you agree that his decision is right, then you can shrug it off, get your head on straight and refocus for the next point!
 
Spanking
In November, I hired Jishan Liang to come to Ohio to train with me as part of my preparation for the Olympic Trials.  He competed in one of our local club tournaments here in Akron and beat me in the finals 11-3, 11-3, 11-4.  That is probably the worst beating that I have had in more than 10 years.  He took apart every weak point and totally exposed them.  I was able to very clearly see my specific flaws with serve, serve return, short game, footwork, blocking, looping, and counterlooping.  Wow, before this loss, I never knew that I had so many weak points.
KEY POINT:  Losses are a huge part of the improvement process.  Without losses, it is difficult (or impossible) for you to really see what you need to improve and how to improve.  Never shun a loss, instead…  embrace a loss.
 
Focus
Last week, I competed in the Portland Open.  In the open semifinals, I played against Anthony Zhao.  He started off the match with a commanding 3-0 lead in games.  I seemed to have no answer for any of his shots.  In the 4th game, his play became a bit sloppy and I pulled off a 14-12 win.  It seemed that I was lucky to win that game.  Now, up 3-1 in games he continued to play with less focus, likely because he knew that I pulled off a lucky win and likely because he knew he could win easily 4-1.  With a few unforced errors, he lost the 5th and now the score was 3-2 in games.  Suddenly, I had full confidence.  Suddenly, he became nervous and lost total confidence with his backhand.  I pulled off the win 4-3.
KEY POINT:  Even if your opponent seems easy, keep your focus.  As you can see from the 6th game, I gained confidence and began playing better; he lost confidence and began playing worse.  Don’t assume that your opponent will be at the same level for every game.  Even if you have a dominating lead, keep 100% focus and don’t let you opponent have an inch of breathing room!