First, you should realize that your opponent sees you as a threat or there would be no need for them to seek an edge through intimidation.

“The intimidation factor” is commonplace in competition. Some athletes will seek to get a mental edge by taking you out of your game.

Intimidation takes many forms such as:

–Trash talking before a game
–A brush-back pitch to shake up a hitter
–An extra shove after a whistle was blown
–Stare-downs or crazy antics

https://www.peaksports.com/sports-psychology-blog/how-to-overcome-intimidation-in-sports/