Losing the motivation....

[Baghdad Baghdatis]

Well I never thought it would happen but I think I am losing the motivation to play topspin competitively. Does anyone else ever feel like this?

I quit 90/40 back in November and concentrated on SIM which gave me a new found inspiration, however recently I don't know my a*s from my elbow.

About 2 months ago i started getting disheartened with the lack of variety sometimes in ITST tournaments and topple that with getting a bit bored I decided to work on serve and volleying to rekindle my love for the game.

However, especially the last few weeks, I have even lost my drive and desire to concentrate my mind for 3 sets in order to get the win. I log on, start playing a match thinking "yeah lets do it" (all charged up) but then when I start the match I get bored and frustrated very quickly. I might just start playing 1 set matches

Topple this with players who constantly risk in matches and risk return, where as it didn't use to bother me, now, it does my nut in. I then look at draws that I have entered and think, he we go, boring! I know, if I feel like this I shouldn't enter in the place

Don't get me wrong, topspin is still a class game, and this is a glorious site, but what used to be "the love of my life" (sad I know) is now becoming the addictive fix, which I still do but don't enjoy so much now - Kinda like people who smoke (like me) and get to that stage and think "I am still smoking but really ain't enjoying it anymore so why am I doing it?"

Sorry for all the waffle, I think I just need to take some time and start washing the dirty dishes

Peace
Baggers

[joesixtoe]

i feel ya, take some time off.... mac2300 did that and he came back strong. i've done it a few times, and trust me you come back. i havent played tourneys in awhile, but i am playing some exos... i'll play a tourney soon though.

[emate007]

this is a glorious site

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfoZCOoM6_g

All glory/gloriousness(??) aside, I agree and empathize with your situation and attitude.

I have a new appreciation for the WT, because now that I can serve effectively I'm beating the jackasses with ridiculous stats. And I'm having a fantastic time making them look silly with my very first created character.
But I still can't compete with the heavy riskers in ITST, even in sim. Even if I should win a match against such a player, I can guarantee I will not have enjoyed the process.

End of next month, I'm quitting for good. It's been fun, and there are other factors involved, but I'm also 'losing the motivation'.

[Mack2300]

I then look at draws that I have entered and think, he we go, boring! I know, if I feel like this I shouldn't enter in the place

I can totally understand how you feel on this as I tend to do the same now though on fairness there aren't many players here that I don't enjoy playing - only those who insist on playing the most boring game possible to win (constant extreme out-wide serving, double trigger risk returns on every return..in other words matches where there are zero rallies which is a nightmare for me as I am the kind of player who loves to rally as that is where I tend to build up the confidence in my game). I'm actually thinking it might be better to just not play these players in the future, just give them the walkover if winning means that much to them. Not worth it trying to play these matches and then just end up really frustrated afterwards.

I would say though just take a break and then come back. That always helps. However you just never know when you will play a gem of a match too. I had one of my most enjoyable matches yesterday in sim against Rae. It was amazing coz we were both practically playing the exact same game with trying to dominate entirely from the baseline. It was one of those matches where you felt a good buzz at the end coz you felt like you really "earned" the win by having to play well and really work for it by coming to match with a gameplan and executing it..not just mindless risking or lucky shots etc.. Those are the best matches.
Sorry I have rambled on far too much here

[Coolhand Texas]

I've been doing what you are thinking about doing since the AO, but my desire still has not come back. I'm just waiting... I play a match at night sometimes and before the first set, I'm ready for it to be over

A break is good, we all need one, some is just longer than others.

[jayl0ve]

I don't even play competitively and I'm totally burned-out on TS3 right now, haven't even touched it for like a month. It's not good to be so into 1 game....yeah it's the only way to be really really good at a game, but it's not good for the ol' noggin...

[Baghdad Baghdatis]

Cheers all for your comments, its interesting to see where other people are at - I thought it was just me having a breakdown

Just a bit more rabbiting from me...A few comments said recently by numerous different players after the match somein to the effect of "it ain't pretty but it gets the job done". Well I am sorry, but if I wanted to get the job done I would go upstairs, pull down my jeans, pull out the fat one, and give it a proper good tug, job done in 30 minutes ...

..But seen as I play topspin for enjoyment I don't want to win by just "getting the job done". I have become number 1 by natural play, I play the same now as I have always done, albeit my ability to think more on the court, some LTs and serve and volleys has helped me push one.

Now, if, I wanted to be desperate, to try and retain my world number 1 spot, I could lock myself in a dark room, turn on my xbox, and just hammer out risking heavy on every single shot to master the art, then go onto live and let some sorry sucker feel the thwart of risk Baghdad - heck I might even change my name from Baghdad (I've been Kebabed) to Baghdad Bomber!

I have also noticed that, as Mack mentioned, some players serve slow out wide slice all the time, and usually these are the players who risk every shot and risk return every shot - its just darn right desperation.

My best SIM matches of late are always against the likes of SMP andyroro, Joe, Djarvik, Mack, emate & Rae - so perhaps I need to just be more selective in exhos, sign up to less tournies, and build tolerance back up against the risking world.

Sh*t, I really banged on there and probably sounded like a twat, but as my fiancee has a saying, it was "from the heart"

[ANILTJE]

I don't play competitive anymore .Not TS3 or DMT.

I know you have a MAC so it's time to run http://www.virtualbox.org/

and download a windows DVD and install DMT

Seriously there is still a very awesome tennis game out there that you NEVER played.

http://www.bimboosoft.com/DMTP/

So take a break from TS3 and play DMT and get even more bored with TS3

[djarvik]

I feel absolutely the same.

I think I enoy talking about TS3 more then actually playing it. I cant wait to get home from work and play the game, but when I do...a set into the match I lose the drive and motivation. Funny enough, most times it happens when playing ITST matches. I think the added pressure makes some players that are otherwise a blast to play, to play their "winning" game and its boring.

Even at some exos, I don't last more then a set unless it is absoluetly great match.

We need a new Tenis game.

Not DMT Anil. It's a great game and I would recoment to everyone at least to give it a shot....but I am talking about a new console tennis game.

As for Riskers. I am a risker...I hit 99% of my shots with at least LT, even the tap ones....I think its not the risk in itself that makes the game boring....its the timing of that risk and type of the risk. Its basically the "game" that makes it boring.

Bagh, I think Jaylove is right, you need another 1-2 games that you like....

[ANILTJE]

I also think we need a new console game but as it's not there DMT is what he finally should try.

I know BAG thought I was a loony tunes when I was one of the guys who came with the SIM mania and loved it ever since. I think he will have the same with DMT . Tennis wise.

[djarvik]

I also think we need a new console game but as it's not there DMT is what he finally should try.

I know BAG thought I was a loony tunes when I was one of the guys who came with the SIM mania and loved it ever since. I think he will have the same with DMT . Tennis wise.

Sure! Take all the credit for SIM

Seriously thou, I think a lot of people (Baghy may not be one of them) already tried DMT and have their reservations. Like I said, whoever didn't - should, definitely.

My problem with DMT is the PC. I want to sit on my couch in front of a large screen. I wish they could port DMT into Xbox Arcade.....

[RV_Cobra11]

i quit dream match, i keep losing 6-0 6-0

[djarvik]

i quit dream match, i keep losing 6-0 6-0

This is where Anil comes in and explains that it takes exactly 2 years 3 month 10 days 5 hours 3 minutes and 37 seconds to get good in this game.

[ANILTJE]

can you not just connect ur pc to the tv screen? with the windows+ P

[ANILTJE]