So I was watching this tennis player M Mushika, right? Been obsessed with how she keeps winning matches like it’s nothing. Figured I’d dig into her strategies and actually try ’em out myself on the court.
Step 1: Stalking Her Footage
First thing I did was binge-watch like 20 of her matches. Noticed something weird – she always takes three steps sideways whenever her opponent serves. Thought “that’s gotta be intentional.” Grabbed my phone and filmed myself copying that exact shuffle during practice serves. Felt super awkward at first, like I was doing some weird dance.
The Placement Experiment
Next thing I spotted: her returns always land near the service line, not super deep. Went to the courts Tuesday morning and hit 200 forehands aiming for that exact spot. Cramped my wrist so bad I couldn’t hold a pencil afterward. But by Thursday? Started landing 7 outta 10 there.
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What I Practiced:
- That three-step shuffle before returns
- Short return placements (not power shots)
- Hitting every second ball to the opponent’s backhand
Testing Under Pressure
Took these tricks to my club match last Saturday. First set was a disaster – missed my shuffle twice and got aced. But third game, tried her trick of slicing short when the opponent’s at the baseline. Guy totally froze! Won three points straight doing that. Felt like I’d discovered cheating IRL.
Final score? Lost the match but took way more games than usual. Funny thing – my regular doubles partner asked why I was “twitching like a crab” between points. Told him it’s Mushika Magic. He laughed till I showed him the video proof of her doing the same thing.
Biggest takeaway: It’s not about power. Mushika wins by making opponents uncomfortable with weird little habits. Still can’t do that shuffle without looking ridiculous though.
