November -
December 1997
Vol. 8, No. 6

Playing a Mystery Opponent
by Fran Davis

Who is the “mystery opponent” anyway? The “mystery opponent” is the player we know nothing about. How many of you would prefer to go up against someone you know — or someone you don’t?

Unfortuately, most recreational players would rather not know their opponent because they feel there’s no history...no expectations ... no pressure! They feel they have to beat everyone, so why bother to look who they are playing because it makes no difference who it is.

Conversely, pro players hate not knowing who their opponents are because it doesn’t let them develop a game plan for the match. Waiting for the match to begin to figure out their opponents strengths and weaknesses is often too late because it leaves little (or no) time to make the necessary adjustments to their games while the match is in progress. Also, planning ahead reduces the stress of feeling unprepared. Players on the IRT and WIRT tours spend a lot of time finding out as much as they can about their opponents from many different sources: watching an opponent, asking others who have played them and looking at their diaries. Tour bests Sudsy Monchik and Michelle Gould are prime examples of professional players who draw up as accurate a profile of an opponent as they can before their match. They leave little room for guesswork.

Of course, though, the truth of the matter is sometimes you will find yourself on the racquetball court with a “mystery opponent.” So how would you play them? The following are eight recommendations for playing that “mystery opponent”:

1. Start off playing your game ... the game you love and feel comfortable with, then make adjustments, if necessary, along the way.
2. Begin to read your opponents strengths and weaknesses ... become a detective. Here’s a few questions you should ask yourself about your opponent to uncover the truth about their game:
   • Are they a power or control player?
   • Are they a righty or a lefty?
   • Are they quick or slow?
   • What’s their favorite or best shot?
   • Do they have good court position or are they vulnerable to the pass because they play to far up?
   • Do they kill the ball off the return of serve or are they smart and go for the pass or ceiling?
   • Are they in shape?
   • Are they defensive or aggressive?
   • Do they have a variety of serves or are their serves predictable?
   • Do they have a weak second serve?
   • Do they have a temper or are they cool, calm and collected?
3. Watch your opponent warm-up ... that is where you can begin to uncover the truth about your opponents game.
4. Don’t jump to conclusions too quickly ... sometimes in the beginning of the match your opponent could make lucky shots ... and lucky shots don’t make a great player.
5. Ignorance is not an excuse ... understanding all the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent is a necessary part of your education as a player.
6. Keep a diary of your matches so next time you play this opponent they will be less of a “mystery.”
7. Be flexible and adaptable when you play because an opponent’s old weaknesses aren’t necessarily the same today and what worked last time might not work again ... be aware.
8. Lastly, play with who you are that day. Use the shots you know you can make and what will beat them ... don’t play a game you’re not used to playing.

In closing try to do your homework and know your opponent as much as you can, if possible. If that’s not possible, then use the above eight tips when playing that “mystery opponent.” Good luck!

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