Why Pre-Match Nerves Are Actually a Good Thing
By Jorge Capestany, RSPA Master Professional & PTR International Master Professional
If you’ve ever felt nervous before a match…
You’re not alone.
In fact, some players get so worked up before competition that they feel sick to their stomach.
And here’s the problem…
Most players think that’s a bad sign.
It’s not.
Let’s break down what’s really going on and how to use it to your advantage.
Everyone Lives Somewhere on the “Nerves Scale”
Think of nerves on a scale from 1 to 10:
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1 = completely calm
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10 = extremely nervous
Every player has a natural “default setting” on this scale.
Some players are naturally calm.
Others are naturally more high-strung.
And here’s the key point:
👉 That’s just how you’re wired.
It doesn’t mean something is wrong with you.
You might be a “7” by nature.
Your partner might be a “3.”
That’s normal.
The Big Mistake Players Make
Most players try to fight their nerves.
They think:
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“I need to calm down.”
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“I shouldn’t feel this way.”
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“Something’s wrong with me.”
But that’s the wrong approach.
Because nerves are not the enemy…
👉 Misunderstanding them is.
The Truth About Pre-Match Nerves
Here’s something that will change how you think about competition:
👉 Your opponent is nervous too.
And often…
they’re just as nervous—or even more nervous than you.
But players often don’t recognize this.
We tend to:
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Overestimate our opponent
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Underestimate ourselves
This lack of awareness creates unnecessary pressure.
A Simple Shift That Changes Everything
Instead of thinking:
“I’m so nervous… this is bad.”
Start thinking:
“This is normal… and they’re probably feeling it too.”
That one shift does two things:
1. It normalizes your feelings
2. It levels the playing field mentally
Now you’re not alone out there.
You Can Move on the Scale
Here’s the encouraging part…
Even though you have a natural “default,” you’re not stuck there.
You can move:
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A “9” can learn to operate like a “6”
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A “6” can become a “4”
The goal isn’t to eliminate nerves completely.
👉 The goal is to get to a level where you can perform your best.
Because a little bit of nerves?
That’s actually a good thing.
It means:
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You care
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You’re engaged
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You’re ready to compete.
What This Means for Your Game
The next time you feel nervous before a match:
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Don’t fight it
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Don’t judge it
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Don’t panic