Can't pay attention during important matches?

[Eonn]

My brain often shuts down during tournament sets or money matches. I don't feel nervous, but I end up barely watching my opponent and just throwing out random moves that should never work and then lose to somebody I know I'm easily capable of beating. I don't adapt and it's like I forget everything I've learned.

Anybody else experience this? Any advice?

 

[Pauer]

I think you might just have a problem concentrating in general or in high-stress situations. I (along with many high level player like PPMD) recommend reading the book "The Inner Games of Tennis", available as pdf here.

 

[EPsilon933]

Or you could play forever to develop a super good autopilot. In my experience, I can play without being at all conscious of what I see. This can happen when I rant about something while I play