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.”
For all of these athletes it is about right practice, right attitude, right thinking. If that is in their mix then they play, win or lose, and have no regrets. As they compete to be the best version of themselves, they will be able to sit back and observe the results that come their way with the dignity and class of the great champions.
So many years of competing. Lots of successful matches. More wins than I ever could have imagined.
And there is still that voice tucked away deep in the corner of my mind that has doubt.
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.
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.
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.
Rafa Nadal has won 88 out of 89 five set matches on clay. His record at the French Open is 65-1.
There is this unique energy that surrounds each of the Grand Slams for me. The French is the one that is about toughness and grit and heart and fitness. All of the main sources of great competitive energies are in play on the clay.
