Loss of motivation

D K Asked 4 years ago

Greetings Alois
I was training with a few friends and I played a match with one of them.
He won the first set 11:8, then I was able to gain upper hand in the seconds and third set winning 11:7 and 11:8 respectively.
In the fourth set though he visibly changed his game and started to make easy mistakes too easy for his level.
He lost 11:1 while shooting off visibly the last two or three balls.
When I asked him why he did not play seriously the last set he replied that he has no motivation when playing against me because I do not play seriously as well.

I was surprised by this,as he is my rival and I have no reason not to be serious with him.
Also,I was surprised that I demotivate him as while using peak power vs peak power I have always been more powerful than him having about 80% of victories against him. Later his teammate Michael told me that when I play with my peak power I am able to play on par with players two classes above his level which matches the player's own level.
However I am not aware of any conscious changes in my seriousness while playing equal or better players. Yes I ease out when I play a player who is noticeably weaker but within this team there is no such player (they are not my team I train with them too though).

What is your view on this Alois?

Dan

Alois Rosario Answered 4 years ago

Hi Dan,

Sometimes players just get annoyed during a match and what he says may not be exactly what he really feels.

I think you can take a look at yourself and see if you feel you were trying your best or not.