is it better to intimidate or be intimidated and stay quiet?

Question

this opponent I am playing is very VERY loud, she likes to yell, scream, and tell you things, what is better, to stay quiet or tell her something too? what do you do?

Answer 1

Don't ever mistake "staying quiet" for "being intimidated" - they are NOT the same thing! Roger Federer's opponents can shout all they want, but what's more intimidating that a guy who hits great shots, never gets rattled and never says a word?

For me, I talk (and occasionally scream) to myself in matches all the time - I say things like "focus" and "be patient" and "come on", but it's always to myself, about myself, whether someone else can hear it or not. If that bothers my opponents (and I really don't think it does), that's their problem.

If what she's doing is not to herself and is instead directed at you, that's a bit different. Verbal jabs and nasty comments at opponents are really poor sportsmanship, and whether that's part of her game or not, you shouldn't let it become part of yours. Would you really want other people to think of you the way you now think of her: loud, obnoxious, and no fun to play with or against?

Consider it a good mental exercise for yourself - ignore her and focus on your own game. She can shout, curse and criticize all she wants, but none of it changes how YOU hit the tennis ball.

Good luck!

Answer 2

haha. completely ignore her, do not respond to her when she asks you questions, if you call the score between every point, you won't need to talk to her. When she gets really mad because she is asking you a question and you won't answer you will have difficulty to keep a straight face due to the hilarity of the situation. I have tried to intimidate my opponents before, it didn't work, I just got distracted from my game and beat my opponent in a tight match in what would have normally been an easy win. intimidation can also be really tiring. Do not laugh at her,as previously suggested, that could just get you into trouble, as she sounds like the type who would complain, if you call the score out loudly in between ponts that will intimidate her, and you will have no need to talk to her.


As golden gal has already stated though intimidation can be very effective, take Sharapova for example, by far the most intimidating player I've ever seen, man/woman. she always plays with a poker face, showing no emotion, and rubbing salt into the wounds of her opponents when she gets them down by screaming out come on or vamos. She always keeps positive body language, moving quickly after breaks, doesn't let shoulders slump, keeps poker face. I would be very intimidated if I had to play her. However this may distract you from playing your game, which is the most important thing.

Answer 3

Well, your opponent is just finding a way to distract you first which is why you have to be ready for anything when you play. There are so many factors that can distract you and you have to be ready for them...one would be having a loud opponent. Frankly, wind is a major factor for me. I hate playing during a windy day but that's something you cannot control. Just focus and in your case, laugh it out. Find out during the first few games what your opponents strongest shots and break it down. Wear out that arm but of course concentrate on your opponents weaknesses too. Most of the time, players concentrate on an opponents weaknesses but really, they know that..that's what they work on before they get into the game so attack the strongest side instead and break it down. Don't be intimidated to attack because they will soon realize that you're not scared and they'll be the ones intimidated to go for their shots.

Answer 4

Ignore that opponent and just play your game. Not only that, but because you might be annoyed and might feel like doing something, don't react towards her being loud but instead react by doing things in your game that exploit her weaknesses and cause her noise to be real (Graf, MJ Fernandez, Henin, Sampras and Fed do this well). Real noise from her by her having a hard time to what you're doing to her game. So just find out her weaknesses and pick on that, as well as exploiting them. Mix it up. You'll notice that she'll either quiet down or her noises will be noises of pain and self-destruction.

Answer 5

The best thing to do is just to stay quiet and try to ignore her, your tennis skills should be getting tested not how loud and annoying you can be. It may be hard to stay quiet but in the end, you will feel better about it and it will turn out better if you just let her do her thing and u stay quiet.

Answer 6

Take my advice & intimidate your opponent. It yields great results especially in women tennis. I could give you a perfect example: Sharapova always has a big edge over her opponents & she knows it. They allready come scared of loosing against her because they were intemidated allready from what the media told. You see them play great tennis before meeting her, but against her they couldn't even tose the ball. Kim is the perfect example against Sharapova. Always come scared silly of her & loses badly.
If you saw the Aussie final Serena against Maria. Serena was intimidating Maria with her sharp look & ready for war. Maria blinked ! Serena won.
See Serena is an experienced player & knows she won't let no one intimidate her into loosing.
I think you got my point.
Good luck!

Answer 7

Your opponent is engaging in guerrilla tactics designed to distract you and keep you off balance. If you're busy paying attention to her, then you can't pay attention to your own game. Realizing this can neutralize the effect(s) she is having. Try laughing at her and watch her reaction then...I'll bet she becomes even more outrageous, which should play right into your hands. Then you'll be the cool one in control while she spins wildly out of it.

Answer 8

try not to let her get to you. if she's yelling at herself, that's just her way of trying to motivate herself or show frustration. a lot of people do that... myself including. BUT... if she's yelling stuff at you, she's being obnoxious and is most likely trying to break your rhythm. if that's the case, dont let her do that to you! do it like the best in the game right now does... roger federer style... keep cool, be calm, stay focused, and continue to be confident in your own abilities. when you do all that, you'll be just fine. show her what you got on the court and you'll shut her mouth once you get the win! good luck... and just remember to have fun... dont you dare let her ruin the fun of the game for you. =)

Answer 9

just keep your mouth shut and don't show your irritated because she probably gets her energy from you when you show any sign of emotion if its negative from yourself then she will kill you, if you play it cool she will just focus more and beat you still, but if you dont do any thing then she will get frusterated woundering what will make you blow up.. that will frustrate her and she will blow up, or at least that's supposed to happen

Answer 10

i like keeping quiet and as i beat them, they shut up.