How to Mentally Handle Playing Better Opponents I Brent Abel

How to Mentally Handle Playing Better Opponents I Brent Abel

Author: Mike Rogers - Founder of Senior Tennis Unpacked November 11, 2025 Duration: 21:57

When you're facing a stronger player—on paper, in the draw, or in your head—how do you keep from losing the match before it even starts?

In this episode of Insider’s Playbook, senior tennis legend Brent Abel (21 national titles, ITF World Doubles Champion, founder of WebTennis.com) joins Mike Rogers to unpack what actually works when you're up against better competition. From mindset shifts to on-court strategy, Brent explains why trying to “play up” usually backfires—and what to do instead.

Whether you're the underdog or just feel outmatched, this episode delivers the mental and tactical tools to stay calm, compete smart, and use every match as a learning opportunity.

 

Contact Coach Brent Abel:

eMail: Brent@webtennis.com

Website: webtennis.com

YouTube: youtube.com/@webtennis

Twitter:  twitter.com/webtennis

 

Takeaways

·      Stop trying to play your “A+ game”

·      Make them play

·      You can level up without winning

·      Avoid the “respect trap”

·      Probe your opponent, not your pro

·      Practice what pressure feels like .

·      Being consistent is a weapon

 

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Brent Abel
01:13 – Why players lose before the match starts
03:50 – Brent’s breakthrough mindset
05:35 – The myth of needing to go bigger
06:42 – Playing down to weaker opponents
08:13 – How to play regardless of level
09:04 – “Going for it” vs. going smart
11:17 – What to do when you’re outmatched
12:52 – The illusion of giving too much respect
14:37 – Ask better questions post-match
17:08 – What high-level consistency actually looks like

About Senior Tennis Unpacked
Senior Tennis Unpacked brings you three ways to stay sharp and inspired on court:

·       Changeover — weekly articles with insights, stories, and strategies for senior players

·       Insider’s Playbook — expert interview series with coaches, champions, and performance pros

·       Gold Ball Tennis — my personal journey chasing national titles and sharing what I learn along the way

Join the STU Nation for FREE and get 3 bonus guides at Senior Tennis Unpacked

Bonus Guides:

·       Up Your Tennis Game — Smart strategies to win more

·       Frustrated to Focus — Mental reset for better matches

·       Get Fit Get Strong — Tennis-specific strength and mobility plan


For competitive tennis players over fifty, the game evolves. The desire to win remains sharp, but the path to victory requires a different map. Insider's Playbook: Smart Strategies for Competitive Senior Tennis Players Over 50 is that essential guide. Hosted by Mike Rogers, a seasoned senior tournament competitor and the founder of Senior Tennis Unpacked, this podcast digs into the nuanced realities of competing later in life. You won't find generic tips here. Instead, each conversation is a deep dive into the specific strategic adjustments, physical maintenance, and mental conditioning that give seasoned players a tangible edge. Mike brings on elite coaches who understand the senior athlete, national champions who are still dominating their age brackets, and performance experts focused on longevity. They unpack real, actionable strategies for everything from point construction and recovery to managing pressure during a tight third-set tiebreak. This is for players who analyze their matches, who know their strengths, and who are looking for that next piece of the puzzle to outsmart and outlast their opponents. Tune in to hear candid discussions that feel like a locker room talk with the most knowledgeable players and minds in senior tennis, all dedicated to helping you compete longer, smarter, and with more success.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 31

Insider's Playbook:  Smart Strategies for Competitive Senior Tennis Players Over 50
Podcast Episodes
Calm Your Brain, Crush the Next Point I Brent Abel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:21
How do you handle pressure when everything’s on the line? In this episode of Insider’s Playbook, Mike Rogers talks with 21-time gold ball champion and senior tennis legend Brent Abel about performing under stress in tieb…
Coaching Across Ages and Levels I Stephen Bourne [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:45
In this episode of Insider’s Playbook, host Mike Rogers talks with Stephen Bourne, founder of One Minute Tennis, former professional player, and creator of one of the fastest-growing tennis YouTube channels of 2023.Steph…
Grunt Smarter: Relax Your Body While Powering Your Shots | Mark Vines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:09
In this unique episode of Insider’s Playbook, senior tennis legend and mental-performance coach Mark Vines returns to explore one of the most overlooked tools in the tennis arsenal: the grunt. Far from being just a noisy…
The Best Warm Up Routines I Ben Wolfe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:54
In this episode of Insider's Playbook, host Mike Rogers speaks with performance coach Ben Wolfe about the essential warm-up routines for senior tennis players. They discuss the importance of dynamic stretching, engaging…
Managing Nerves and Performance Anxiety I Brent Abel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:39
SummaryJoin host Mike Rogers on "Insider's Playbook" as he sits down with tennis legend Brent Abel, a senior player with 21 gold balls and a wealth of experience. In this episode, Brent shares his journey from tournament…
Simple Ways to Improve Your Game Even at 55+ I Ben Wolfe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:23
In this episode of Insider's Playbook, host Mike Rogers dives into essential winning tennis strategies for players over 50 with Ben Wolfe, founder of Wolfe Tennis Performance. They focus on senior tennis and the unique c…
Insider's Playbook Introduction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:54
Welcome to Insider’s Playbook — your blueprint for smarter senior tennis. Hosted by a fellow senior tennis player, this interview series features elite coaches, top competitors, and mental performance pros who know what…