Are You Really the Better Ping-Pong Player?
Let's look at this objectively - you might be wrong about whether you are the better table tennis player. Ratings are occasionally not really a true reflection of a player's level, and we don't give marks for style in table tennis! Here's how you could be mistaken about your opponent's standard:
- You may be looking at the way your opponent plays incorrectly. A common mistake is to compare your best shots - such as your forehand loop - against the same strokes of your opponent. But his forehand loop might not be an important part of his game, which makes your comparison meaningless.
- You may be forgetting to consider your opponent as a total package. It's not how strong each individual stroke is, but how he manages to combine them during the rally, that is important. His technique may be worse than yours, but if he can transition from one stroke to another better than you, his overall game may well be superior.
- You may be ignoring the role that shot selection and placement also plays during a match. You may be better technically, but if your opponent is better at placing the ball into awkward positions, he may still beat you.
- Your opponent may be a rapidly improving player, who has risen in standard since the last time he played in a tournament, and has now passed you by in level.
- Finally, you may be mentally inferior to your opponent. If your opponent is making all the right tactical decisions, while you keep choosing the wrong tactics, then he may still be able to look ugly but be effective on the court.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a number of reasons why you may be losing to a table tennis player that you think is worse than you are. Be realistic about your own strengths, weaknesses, and overall game, stay aware of what is actually going on out there on the table, and not what you think should be happening, and you will improve your chances of winning those matches that you think are yours for the taking. And maybe you'll steal a few matches that - according to the ratings - aren't! (I can see the title of my next article now - "Why Do I Keep Beating Players I Should Lose To?" :)
