“Belief is the scepter of all champions. It’s the way they command respect from their competitors. It’s how they coordinate their amazing talents. In the end, it’s the difference between the legends and the other supremely talented stars.
Just back from The US Tennis Congress, a remarkable weekend in Atlanta, attended by over 200 recreational players all wanting to grow their games. Eager for information these players were welcomed by 60 of the most passionate informed tennis coaches in the World.
A morning not too different than any other morning. Breakfast with Jo Ann reading the NY Times. Feeling pretty chilled. Happy and grateful for my life.
Then time to get down to the serious preparation for a big competition.
A successful day on the courts is when you play well and win, especially when challenged by good players who are playing well too. Today was a successful day for me.
Another day in paradise at Seabright Lawn and Tennis Club on a spectacular fall morning. As a tournament progresses the parking lot gets less crowded as players who have been eliminated leave for homes around the country. There is something very different about the last couple of days of an event.
It was a spectacular day on Wednesday. The green grass, blue sky and all white tennis clothes. The only sound is the racket hitting the ball as there is no sound when the ball bounces. It is a spiritual and unique tennis experience.
Pictures from the Medal Ceremony
Nearly three years ago, the co chair of the Grand Masters Maccabian team, Marty Bloom, called me to see if I would come on board as the coach of this team. When I agreed he told me that USA Maccabi execs said that coaches could not play. It would be too much work and that playing would interfere with what needed to be done. I had never won a Gold medal in the Maccabian Games. It was a hole in my tennis resume.
So I, of course, had a different story. I could coach 23 slightly experienced players aged 65, 70, 75 and 80 and overs and I could compete as well. If they wanted me to coach then they would have to let me play. A typical story of mine of creating a high bar. People said that it would be too tough to keep my game at the level at which it needed to be to succeed. Not my story….
Messages from three of my grandchildren, Madelyn, Soren and Sienna
I play Joe Oren for the gold tomorrow at 9:30AM. He is a fine player who is #1 in Israel in our age group. He and I have come across each other a couple of times at Senior Davis Cup matches although we have never played.
I have been asked by my teammates what I am thinking about tonight and if I am nervous.
My old story before big matches used to be that I would be edgy, nervous, worried and filled with obsessive and repetitive thoughts about the next day. I would often be focused on my opponent. I would worry that I wouldn’t play well….
