On July 27, I got the call. Bob, you have been one of four players selected to represent the USA to compete for the Senior Davis Cup. Very excited to be chosen as it has been 6 years since I last played for the team. Although I made the team last year, I chose not to participate. The finals would have been contested on Yom Kippur.
I first went to the US Open in 1958 and saw Althea Gibson win what was then called the US Nationals. Forest Hills on the grass. Tennis was officially in my blood from that moment on. There were a few years that I didn’t attend but this will be about my 50th year of attending.
You would think it gets old.
Nope.
Shoshin.
Rafa Nadal has won 88 out of 89 five set matches on clay. His record at the French Open is 65-1.
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.
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.
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.
I am on my way to Ft Lauderdale where I am presenting to the International Board of Directors of the Israel Tennis Centers. My task is to get these already successful people to refire their rockets to the place where they were when they first started and felt the passion every day.
Please join me Friday as I will be talking about my coaching model for business, sports and life. Ron Comacho is a fully engaged interviewer and I expect an hour of dynamic interaction.
One thing that is unique to playing tournaments is that you are playing each day and that helps you make adjustments day by day.
