Stepping back
What's a good
Win/lose ratio
For our development?
If we play up
We can learn much
If we play too far up though
It's not fun for anyone
In knockout format tournaments
Losing each first round
Likely not enjoyable
Depressed lobster?
(It helps:
If there's consolation
And with that
At least 2 matches
2nd one likely not that far up
Or
Some group format
Where multiple matches
Are guaranteed.)
In the other extreme
If we always win easy
We should probably pick
A more challenging pond
If we're a favorite
We can practice living up to it
Make that its own challenge
Gracefully?
And/or
Set additional goals
To keep us sharp
Throughout the match
Losing as few games as possible
Or points within games
Or not needing 2nd serves
Missing min # of returns
View it as a prep
For a strong opponent
Who has a weaker backhand
Or doesn't like rushing in
Of course
Without going crazy
Losing focus
On the actual match
So maybe pick
1 extra challenge
At a time
Winning a whole thing
Obviously comes with
Its own challenges
Physically and mentally
Maybe that win
Will allow
A step up
For the next competition?
Generally
Winning is good for
(Building back) confidence
When needed?
But winning everything
Is not good for
Dialing in confidence
Distorted picture
If I remember correctly
Rats are wired
To let their weaker peers win
~30% of the time
So fairness and empathy
Seems baked into all creatures
Hopefully not eradicated by some
And if so, bring-backable :)
When not in an official competition
With official rules
But especially if using competition
To build up something
We can always give
The objectively weaker party
A leg up
Long term (i.e. lifetime)
A 50:50 win:lose
Would mean we've competed
At the right level in average
As long as we try to compete in
Ever more challenging ponds
I.e. don't get stuck
I.e. keep developing
When we lose
Maybe mostly have that happen
When there's