I often write that I have redefined winning in a way that almost every match has wins. The sweetest of wins is when all that is important to me comes through in the big matches, the finals of the National Championships.
When we go somewhere we usually have an idea of why we are going and what we expect to find.
Then, when we least expect it, we find something so different that it is disorienting.
That is what happened in Tucson last week.
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.
And during the process of getting ready to compete, I remind myself to maintain patience with myself. The fact that I have found my game through eliminating unnecessary parts may be a story of the past. I have changed. Now, I see, that finding Bob has a lot to do with throwing a lot of new ideas into a big pot. Stirring the pot. Turning the heat down low and letting it all marinate. In the end it will be what it is. A new me. A better version.
Who would have thought that at nearly 67 years old this dog could learn new tricks? Actually, I would have. With “kaizen” as my mission, each day takes me to a better version of myself on the court.
One of my blog readers came across some entries that I wrote 7 years ago. After reading my most recent about Federer adapting his game she commented that I wrote about the very same thing that I had bee doing with my game. She was very excited about her takeaways and encouraged me to post it.
So here it is. It will be followed by a couple of more that continue the story of the work that I was doing on my game to take it to another level.
Buddha said, “an idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.”
Won today 6-1, 6-0. The games were closer than the sets. My opponent had a good game. Experienced, good hands, strokes, serve and a deceptive drop shot. He had game point five times but I was able to find some strong focus to win four of them.
I played a few tournaments as a junior player. I can’t recall it being enjoyable. I would play badly. I would get frustrated. Embarrassed. I would misbehave. I would lose. Winning felt like the only reason to play and the only way I could find something about the experience that made it worth doing.
In the Monte Carlo semifinals on Saturday we got to witness another step in the evolution of Novak Djokovic, the competitor.
A few years ago, Novak used to retire in matches if he did not feel well. Hey, no judgment. That is what normal people do.
