My hope and thought is that this match has the potential of being like the first Rocky vs. Apollo fight. A fight where both landed a knockout punch to end the match.
Tennis though can’t end like that. Someone wins the last point.
You are the best ever. You lost because you were beaten by a better player on that day. That is what happens in sport. It is about today. Your rhythm was thrown off because of any extra day due to the rainout? Your opponent didn’t play the way your two prior opponents played? It was hard to play with the pressure of having to win the Grand Slam? You were tired from so many matches?
Are you Princess who cannot sleep because of a pea under the mattress?
As Roberta Vinci said in her post match interview after beating Serena, I am sorry.
I am sorry Serena but I need to write about you and disappointment I feel.
One week into the Open and the stories are dramatic. A talented player who has lost his way. A declining champion. An underachiever who has found a way to reach new heights. A shocking come from behind win from a player who doesn’t seem to care. A more mature Young American. Last year’s champ under the radar. And more brilliance form Serena and Roger. More to come from these amazing athletes.
There is so much that these players teach us that, if we can find a way to be a little more like them we, too,can hit our marks more easily.
I watch to learn. To model what I see that I want to be. To make some positive changes in the way I go about trying to be a better version of myself.
I add these lessons to my daily to do list.
As many of you know, I am all about stories. Stories that players tell themselves that don’t work to get them what they want. And stories they tell themselves that create the possibility of being who they need to be to bring the very best out of themselves in the biggest moments of performance.
Like the aging boxer that keeps getting up off the mat because that is just what they do. Until one day they say, “enough. No mas.”
Is winning enough to keep her playing?
As Nadal says, “do I need to win 10 French Opens?”
Serena, do you need to win more titles? Do you need to win the Grand Slam? Do you need the records? Or are you doing it for others?
I wouldn’t be surprised if Serena retires very soon.
The press and the fans have stories about every player. It is important that the player has a story going that will give them the best chance to ignite the highest end of their talent and skills. So that, win or lose the score, they can look in the mirror and say, “I have no regrets. I brought my best.”
For all of these athletes it is about right practice, right attitude, right thinking. If that is in their mix then they play, win or lose, and have no regrets. As they compete to be the best version of themselves, they will be able to sit back and observe the results that come their way with the dignity and class of the great champions.
My mission includes, “for each match to be one in which I grow as a player and person.”
Another amazing experience. The story goes on.
