You played him in practice. You won. You played him again in a tournament. You lost. What gives? The answer’s not about skill — it’s about state. Competition isn't just practice with trophies — it carries a different energetic charge. Stakes, nerves, meaning, crowd, expectation — these all come into play. And unless we train for that moment, we’re not actually training for tennis. That’s why we don’t compare outcomes. Comparing practice to matches is like comparing a dress rehearsal to opening night — different lights, different crowd, different game. Instead, ask yourself: “Was I truly in the moment — not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, spiritually?” Because presence isn’t binary. It’s layered. It’s earned. And it can be built. When you lose while “being in the moment,” don’t judge — inquire. Ask deeper questions about the quality of your presence. Was your attention within yourself or leaking into thought? Were you expressing your game or trying to manage the outcome? Those questions reveal what’s really going on — and where you go next.