Staying composed when things get unfair

Not everything in the game is fair. A ball that was just out and counts anyway. An opponent who plays for time or provokes. A run of bad luck. The expert is marked by the fact that such things don't throw them off track.

The key is a simple distinction: there are things you control, and things you don't control. A disputed call, the opponent's behavior, luck — all of that lies outside your control. Your reaction to it, your next ball, your concentration — that lies in your hands. Whoever wastes their energy on the uncontrollable takes it away from the controllable.

An opponent's provocation especially is a trap. Whoever lets themselves get annoyed plays exactly the game the opponent wants — they lose concentration and make worse decisions. The strongest answer to provocation is the undisturbed continuation of your own game. Your composure is at the same time your weapon.

That doesn't mean injustice isn't allowed to touch you. But you tick it off like your own mistake — take brief note, then deliberately turn your eye to the next ball. The tick-off gesture you know from the beginner area helps here too.

Injustice is like bad weather on a hike. You can't change it, and getting indignant about it doesn't bring you a step further. Whoever lowers their head and walks on arrives; whoever stops and grumbles only loses time.

Remember a match in which an unfair call or a provoking opponent unsettled you. How much energy did the annoyance cost you? Practice the distinction: what of it could you control, what not? Resolve next time to tick off the uncontrollable briefly — with your tick-off gesture — and to steer the energy immediately to your next ball. Against provocation, your calm continuation of play is the best answer.