A Rookie Plays and Learns 4
I have been fortunate to play International competitions many times. I have grown to feeling comfortable and relaxed when I put on my USA jacket with the mission to bring home the Cup for our country.
I have been fortunate to play International competitions many times. I have grown to feeling comfortable and relaxed when I put on my USA jacket with the mission to bring home the Cup for our country.
Buddha said, “an idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.”
I defeated a tough opponent, Mike Dahm, in today’s quarterfinal. He is always a tough out as he has defeated many of the top players in the age group.
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.
One thing that is unique to playing tournaments is that you are playing each day and that helps you make adjustments day by day.
Delayed start today because of overnight rain so Jo Ann and I took a nice walk this morning by the pier. As we were walking along we spotted a dolphin. I have heard it is a sign of luck.
My match was scheduled for today at 9AM. I love playing early. Years of giving early morning tennis lessons trained me in being alert on the court right after getting up so, for me, the earlier the better
While sitting at breakfast this morning I checked the tournament website to make sure that my 1:00PM match time hadn’t been changed. Good thing I checked. My opponent, who had won his first round match yesterday defaulted. So, disappointingly, no match today.
It has been a bumpy road getting to this point in my preparation for this tournament. Lots of old demons that I thought had been jettisoned popped up.
My first competition of the year is two weeks away and I have been in the toughest period of my tennis life.
Why now?