To see a man beaten not by a better opponent but by himself is a tragedy.
The only one who can beat me is me.
The opponents and I are really one. My strength and skills only half of the equation. The other half is theirs. An opponent is someone whose strength joined to yours creates a certain result.
Would you kick an opponent when he was down? Yes, if I thought he might get up.
Forget your opponents; always play against par.