storytelling


National Clay Court Championships: A Chance to Reboot My Game 193

Nearly two years since the last National. Now, I am two days away from the National Clay Championships. New Orleans Tennis Club founded in 1876, the oldest tennis club in the country. It will be great to be back in the mix. The first day buzz of seeing players who I have been competing with for over 30 years. First practice on the clay in the humid south tomorrow. Pumped for feeling the dirt under my tennis shoes.


What Was Really Happening in Tucson at Tennis Congress 22

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.


Novak: The Master of Preparation and Resiliency 42

What I took away from this match was all about Novak’s ability to prepare to bounce back from lost points and to bring his very best to the most important moments.

Who has ever been as resilient as him. He gets up for the mat after being knocked down like no others before him. He is a real life version of Rocky.


Serena: The Princess and the Pea 87

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.


Roger vs. Novak Redux 13

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.


The Most Special Two Weeks in Tennis: Grass Court Tennis at Wimbledon 18

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.”


Tennis Excitement, Disappointment and a Better Story 9

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.


Shoshin and the US Open 781

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.