Life & Tennis

I learned to play games at grammar school - netball, hockey & my favourite, tennis. I can't remember when I started watching Wimbledon, but I do clearly remember the Rosewall / Laver era in the 60s & 70s. I really got bored knowing that Laver was going to win almost every time. I also remember the beginning of the open era in 1968. I have been lucky to watch decades of tennis in which the game has changed in every way possible, not always for the better in my opinion. I got very fed up when the hard serving, baseline, game came in & there was very little nuance or skill. Just blasting your opponent off the court - Not engaging to watch. 

Watching tennis has taught me that there is far more to sport than physical fitness. Tennis is a game of the mind, psychology is really important. Personality matters. Not as some sort of icon, but in the sense of how you win. You do need to be competetive, but you also need to respect your opponent.

Among other good matches I've watched this week, the Cilic / Draper game has stood out. It was wonderful to see Cilic triumph over the difficulties he has had for a couple of years. You had to admire such skill & determination. 

Life is a game of tennis in many ways, full of challenges & opportunities. You have to be able to adapt to the unexpected. You have to persevere & fight back in adversity. You aren't necessarily in control. If you make mistakes & fail - and you will, you have to be resilient & learn from every experience. Moving forward with enthusiasm is more positive than looking back to the past with regret.

I'm not a fan of the change in rules that allows coaching from the box during a match which started last year. The point of tennis for me, especially singles, is that its a test for each player to show what they are capable of on their own. I'm also always disappointed when players, usually when they are losing, take a very long "comfort break" in order to upset their opponents rhythm. I remember the eras of skill & personality. The current trend to fist bump at every point won & look to the box for approval sets my teeth on edge. Watching good players who just get on with the game, like Fritz & Alcaraz is so much more in the spirit of sportsmanship. 

What is important, in tennis & in life, is how you win. Not to win at all costs.