Help! Everyone is out to get me!!
Dear Coach,
Recently I played in a tournament and the ref was out to get me. Every call went to my opponent. The last straw was in the tiebreaker when I had a lead and my opponent skipped a ball in. The ref called it good. It was not even close. I was so ticked off and that one call cost me the match as I lost 11-10 in the breaker. Any ideas how to stop this stupidity on the part of the refs? This guy just did not like me! I am sending you a video of this match where I got robbed!
Signed,
Frustrated in Frisco!
Dear Frustrated,
It just so happens I saw the match you speak of and have a few observations.
1. The ref does not hate you and in fact the ref has respect for your game. I know that ref!
2. The ref could not see the ball as your opponent was in front of you and the ref was behind you at floor level. Thus, the ref had to do their best and guess.
3. That ref did not cost you the match. The ref missed one call at 8-7. You had chances after that.
4. You cost yourself that match when you went all hyper over one missed call. It was 7-7 when you lost it. By the time you recovered it was 10-7 in your opponent’s favor.
So how do you stop the ref’s stupidity? Maybe it is not the ref?
You are a good player. Own your mistakes; especially the mental ones, and learn from them.
Signed,
Coach W