At the conclusion of my second ever adult tennis tournament, the Beverly Hills 5.5 division, I had one major belief of mine about tennis and all of sports confirmed: IT ALL COMES DOWN TO HEAD AND HEART. Borris Becker used to say the fifth set has very little to do with tennis, and now I fully know what he meant. What it has to do with is who battles more, who wants it more, who maintains composure, and who is willing to believe and go for it when it matters most.
I knew going in to Saturday morning that I would need to win three matches in about 24 hours if I were to come away with the trophy. I was scheduled to play the quarters Saturday morning, the semi’s Saturday night, and the finals Sunday morning if I made it. Having watched several of my prospective opponents, I was struck by how equal we all were. None of us was good enough to blow the other off the court. The matches would be close, and they would come down to a point here or there.
It would all come down to who competed best.
Very similar to the top level of the pros (at a SLIGHTLY different level, however).
My quarterfinal match on Saturday morning turned in to everything I did not want it to be: an absolute marathon and war. In the third set alone, I had to call the umpire three times because of my opponent’s line calls. It tested every ounce of my physical and emotional reserves. Once I saw him begin to cramp at 3-3 in the third, though, I knew it was mine for the taking. At that moment I fully got how tennis is a one-on-one battle, and so much of it comes down to who is willing to pay the bigger price.
After prevailing in an epic 6-4 in the third battle, I went home and got horizontal and got has many fluids and foods in my body as possible. When I showed up for my semi final match that night, every muscle in my body was on the brink of cramping. I came armed with tons of Gatorade and ridiculous amounts of bananas. Every changeover I was chugging fluids and downing bananas.
When I found out that instead of playing a three hour morning match, my opponent had a walkover, I thought I stood zero chance.
After winning the first, I got down early in the second and decided if I were to have any chance at all in the decider, I basically had to tank the rest of the second set. I lost it 6-1, but had a tough time re-starting and quickly found myself down 4-0 in the third.
It was at that moment that I made the conscious decision that I refused to go down easy. It would have been so easy, quick, and painless to lose two more games, but thinking of what Rafa would do, I battled back and won 6-4 in the third!
I am still not sure it was worth the pain.
That night I could barely sleep from over-exhaustion. I was sure I would have absolutely nothing left for the finals. I especially felt this way when I agreed to do my opponent a favor and play the match at 7 a.m. since he had to be at work.
When I got myself out of bed at 5 am. And it was still dark, I deeply questioned whether any of this was worth it.
But, I finally decided I had not come this far to go away easy. Thank GOD, I won the finals in straight sets 6-3, 6-3. Thank GOD it was a short, and relatively painless match. But at 3-3 in the second when I faced 5 break points and had to battle out a 10 minute service game, I did have to dig deep. I did have to compete. I needed to use MY HEAD and HEART. I broke his will.
For there was very little difference in tennis ability between any of us in the draw.
As Becker said, the difference did not come down to tennis.
I find this to be true beyond the tennis court. What makes Cliff Lee so incredible in the playoffs? When he goes in to Yankee stadium and blanks them, it is because he BELIEVES he will and THRIVES off pressure. What makes Kobe or Lebron who they are? It is not merely God-given talent. It how hard they work and compete. It is their heads and hearts.
I would venture to say that is also probably true of amazing CEO's or fathers, or mothers or teachers or doctors. It always comes down to doing OUR very best. Pushing ourselves to the limit, whether we we or not. As long as we compete OUR best and use our head and hearts, we can be proud.
I bet it is true in almost EVERY area of our lives.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Blog # 20: What Would Rafa Do?
As I played in my second ever adult tournament last weekend in Beverly Hills, I needed to utilize every possible physical and mental resource (even ones I didn’t know I had) to get through the match. I was playing in the 5.5 division (one below the open level), and in my first round match I unfortunately ran into a 6 foot 3 Lithuanian who played college tennis at LMU. What a draw!
No time to ease into this tournament.
Luckily he was playing his first tournament in a while and came out rustier than the Tin Man. I won the first set 6-4 and thought I was well on my way to a straight sets W. Unfortunately, my opponent got much of the rust off, and as soon as the second set began, I knew I was in for a war. He took the second set 6-3, and we were set to go the distance.
Up until this time, it was a friendly match with great calls (I even think he gave me some pretty generous calls), but things quickly began to heat up in the deciding set. He hit a few balls early in the set that just missed, and when I called them out, he started to give second glances. Then, midway through the set, when I was serving at 2-2 40-15, I hit a first serve that he swung at, broke his string, and missed in the net. The serve was either on the back line or perhaps slightly long, but he played it, so I started walking to change sides.
As he was walking to get a new racket, he surprised me when he said, “oh, your serve was long.” I was shocked. I told him even if it were, it does not matter because he played it. This clearly angered him. The next game, when he hit a few balls way out, and I did not bother to say “out” he said, you didn’t make a call (even though they were well out and I was not making a play on the ball). Also, every time I missed he shouted “out!”
This started to make me mad. He would not let it go.
Then, came the big moment. It was 4-4 deuce and I was serving. It was the point of the match; he was running me ragged and I was retrieving like a mad man. I hit a short ball and he pounds his approach to my forehand. I run over, and with my last ounce of energy, hit a passing shot that he dives for and gets by him. I give a huge c’mon! because the ball landed well inside the line. But then I hear “out!”
First of all, I know that there is no way he could have seen where it landed because he was too busy face planting, and secondly, I knew it was a good couple FEET in. I try not to, but I start to go ballistic. I threaten to get an umpire unless he will change his call, and since he won’t, I go get an umpire. I later realized this may have been a mistake, because there is no way she can over-turn the call (and there is also no way I can get REVENGE and call his next two shots out to get to ad-in where we should be!!!). I have to play it as ad-out and I am so distraught that I lose the next point to get broken and go down 4-5.
I walked to the bench at the changeover fuming and ready to quit. I was going to hit four balls over the fence at walk off in a fury without shaking his hand. I had had it. But then a simple thought came to me:
WHAT WOULD RAFA DO?
He would not quit. He would not let a bad call get the better of him. He would be resilient and break back. Instead of WHAT WOULD JESUS DO, I had to reframe the question to: what would my sports idol do? What would the greatest competitor in the world do?
I broke back, and ended up winning 12-10 in the breaker after saving four match points.
THAT is what Rafa would have done.
AD OUT….
No time to ease into this tournament.
Luckily he was playing his first tournament in a while and came out rustier than the Tin Man. I won the first set 6-4 and thought I was well on my way to a straight sets W. Unfortunately, my opponent got much of the rust off, and as soon as the second set began, I knew I was in for a war. He took the second set 6-3, and we were set to go the distance.
Up until this time, it was a friendly match with great calls (I even think he gave me some pretty generous calls), but things quickly began to heat up in the deciding set. He hit a few balls early in the set that just missed, and when I called them out, he started to give second glances. Then, midway through the set, when I was serving at 2-2 40-15, I hit a first serve that he swung at, broke his string, and missed in the net. The serve was either on the back line or perhaps slightly long, but he played it, so I started walking to change sides.
As he was walking to get a new racket, he surprised me when he said, “oh, your serve was long.” I was shocked. I told him even if it were, it does not matter because he played it. This clearly angered him. The next game, when he hit a few balls way out, and I did not bother to say “out” he said, you didn’t make a call (even though they were well out and I was not making a play on the ball). Also, every time I missed he shouted “out!”
This started to make me mad. He would not let it go.
Then, came the big moment. It was 4-4 deuce and I was serving. It was the point of the match; he was running me ragged and I was retrieving like a mad man. I hit a short ball and he pounds his approach to my forehand. I run over, and with my last ounce of energy, hit a passing shot that he dives for and gets by him. I give a huge c’mon! because the ball landed well inside the line. But then I hear “out!”
First of all, I know that there is no way he could have seen where it landed because he was too busy face planting, and secondly, I knew it was a good couple FEET in. I try not to, but I start to go ballistic. I threaten to get an umpire unless he will change his call, and since he won’t, I go get an umpire. I later realized this may have been a mistake, because there is no way she can over-turn the call (and there is also no way I can get REVENGE and call his next two shots out to get to ad-in where we should be!!!). I have to play it as ad-out and I am so distraught that I lose the next point to get broken and go down 4-5.
I walked to the bench at the changeover fuming and ready to quit. I was going to hit four balls over the fence at walk off in a fury without shaking his hand. I had had it. But then a simple thought came to me:
WHAT WOULD RAFA DO?
He would not quit. He would not let a bad call get the better of him. He would be resilient and break back. Instead of WHAT WOULD JESUS DO, I had to reframe the question to: what would my sports idol do? What would the greatest competitor in the world do?
I broke back, and ended up winning 12-10 in the breaker after saving four match points.
THAT is what Rafa would have done.
AD OUT….
Monday, September 20, 2010
Blog # 19: Why Rafa is my Idol and what we can all learn from him
As I watched Rafa fall to the hard courts in New York last Monday night after defeating Djokovic (by the way, major, major props to Djoko, and I hope he finally starts to get the respect he deserves!), one word came to mind: WOW. Wow, wow, wow.
Just when I think I can't possibly respect, love, and admire the guy any more, he tops himself once again. Just when I think my adoration for him has hit its limit, he goes and gets his career slam. Wow.
And, as always, it is not merely that he came out victorious, it is the WAY he wins. It is the WAY he goes about everything that I treasure and attempt to emulate.
For example, early on in the tournament it is watching him play Istomin and beat him in three close sets and having that match represent everything that is great about sports. Both men were applauding one another's efforts, both men refused to quit or lie down, and when they embraced at the net at the end, it was a genuine embrace of care and respect.
After the final, it is seeing Rafa go out of his way to praise Djoko's attitude and acknowledge how hard it is to lose a slam final. He complimented Novak and said how great his attitude and approach was for kids to see. He didn't have to mention that in his moment of glory. It would have been easy to make it all about himself.
Rafa always goes out of his way to praise his opponent, to show them RESPECT before any match (even a first round match against number 200 in the world), and never to take anyone for granted. He plays every match, nearly every point, with a PASSION and INTENSITY that we all could bring to our jobs. I get the feeling he actually enjoys the PROCESS of each match, each challenge, instead of merely looking to the product or end result.
I believe him when he says "I tried my best" and therefore has nothing to feel badly about after a hard-fought loss. I believe him when he says what he loves most about tennis (and what he missed most when he was out with his knee injury) is the COMPETITION, and not the winning. I can see how seriously he takes PRACTICE and never settles for good enough.
He is constantly looking for ways to get better and is never, ever complacent. Just look at what he has done for his volleys and his serve this past year. Look at what he has done at Wimbledon. Not bad for a clay-courter. The truly great ones in any profession are never stagnant.
All I have to know about Rafa is how he plays break points against him on his serve as well as any huge point in a match. He gets even more aggressive and gutsy when it really, really matters. If he is going to go down, it will not be out of fear, but will be on his terms. All I need to know about Rafa is how he plays the points or the games right after a bad moment. Just watch how he bounces back. That is resilience.
He literally crushes the will of his opponents (think Djoko in the 4th set). One moment from the final captures much of this. It was one set all and Djoko had just salvaged an unbelievable hold (Rafa-esque) to make it 4-3 and Rafa's serve. Novak played three great points to get it to 15-30, and this was his moment. This was his chance. What happens next? Three unreturnable serves. Fitting that the aspect he worked on most and practiced hardest saves him. 5-3, and Djoko's will is broken.
Match over. Career Slam. Slam #9 at age 24.
Wow.
AD OUT...
Just when I think I can't possibly respect, love, and admire the guy any more, he tops himself once again. Just when I think my adoration for him has hit its limit, he goes and gets his career slam. Wow.
And, as always, it is not merely that he came out victorious, it is the WAY he wins. It is the WAY he goes about everything that I treasure and attempt to emulate.
For example, early on in the tournament it is watching him play Istomin and beat him in three close sets and having that match represent everything that is great about sports. Both men were applauding one another's efforts, both men refused to quit or lie down, and when they embraced at the net at the end, it was a genuine embrace of care and respect.
After the final, it is seeing Rafa go out of his way to praise Djoko's attitude and acknowledge how hard it is to lose a slam final. He complimented Novak and said how great his attitude and approach was for kids to see. He didn't have to mention that in his moment of glory. It would have been easy to make it all about himself.
Rafa always goes out of his way to praise his opponent, to show them RESPECT before any match (even a first round match against number 200 in the world), and never to take anyone for granted. He plays every match, nearly every point, with a PASSION and INTENSITY that we all could bring to our jobs. I get the feeling he actually enjoys the PROCESS of each match, each challenge, instead of merely looking to the product or end result.
I believe him when he says "I tried my best" and therefore has nothing to feel badly about after a hard-fought loss. I believe him when he says what he loves most about tennis (and what he missed most when he was out with his knee injury) is the COMPETITION, and not the winning. I can see how seriously he takes PRACTICE and never settles for good enough.
He is constantly looking for ways to get better and is never, ever complacent. Just look at what he has done for his volleys and his serve this past year. Look at what he has done at Wimbledon. Not bad for a clay-courter. The truly great ones in any profession are never stagnant.
All I have to know about Rafa is how he plays break points against him on his serve as well as any huge point in a match. He gets even more aggressive and gutsy when it really, really matters. If he is going to go down, it will not be out of fear, but will be on his terms. All I need to know about Rafa is how he plays the points or the games right after a bad moment. Just watch how he bounces back. That is resilience.
He literally crushes the will of his opponents (think Djoko in the 4th set). One moment from the final captures much of this. It was one set all and Djoko had just salvaged an unbelievable hold (Rafa-esque) to make it 4-3 and Rafa's serve. Novak played three great points to get it to 15-30, and this was his moment. This was his chance. What happens next? Three unreturnable serves. Fitting that the aspect he worked on most and practiced hardest saves him. 5-3, and Djoko's will is broken.
Match over. Career Slam. Slam #9 at age 24.
Wow.
AD OUT...
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Blog # 18: What a War it is Out There (reflections from my own tournament and the 2010 US Open)
As I watched Ferrer and Verdasco relentlessly go at one another for over four hours last night in the round of 16 before Verdasco fell to the floor in celebration after a ridiculous passing shot to win it, I couldn't help but sit in awe and amazement. This was after Stan the Man had taken down Querrey in a nearly five hour epic battle.
I could barely walk or get off the couch myself, because I had played my first ever adult tennis tournament at the 5.5 level. It was the Santa Monica tourni, and I won in the finals 6-3 7-6 (5) against an 18 year-old who ran every single ball down and could play forever. Me, about to turn 33, thought I was in pretty darn good shape, but you simply don't recover in your mid 30's like we did as kids.
Playing in my own tournament gave me a whole new appreciation for what these guys do. I only played 2 out of 3 sets, and by the end of the tournament I felt like I was going to pass out. These guys do it at a much, much higher level for 3 out of 5 in front of thousands of people.
Wow, is it hard out there. Wow, is it a war out there.
To think, Verdasco's reward is to play Rafa less than 48 hours later. Some gift. Some reward.
Playing in my own tournament also gave me an appreciation of just how gutsy you have to be on the big points, when it really really matters. The only reason I was able to pull out that tie-breaker in the finals was because I was simply more willing to go for it. Every ounce in my body wanted to play it safe and be more passive, but I realized I HAD to actually be MORE aggressive on the big points.
I had to play big man's tennis when it mattered most. That is what these guys do when the stakes are 1000 times higher. That takes guts. That takes courage.
That one-on-one battle for over four hours where they both leave their heart on the court is why I love tennis. That is why I consider it the greatest sport in the world.
And that is very much like our own lives. We need to be gutsy and take chances when we may want to be passive. We need to keep fighting when we are down and losing and want to quit. We need to be perseverant and heroic and always continue to battle. We need to COMPETE.
Ad OUT...
I could barely walk or get off the couch myself, because I had played my first ever adult tennis tournament at the 5.5 level. It was the Santa Monica tourni, and I won in the finals 6-3 7-6 (5) against an 18 year-old who ran every single ball down and could play forever. Me, about to turn 33, thought I was in pretty darn good shape, but you simply don't recover in your mid 30's like we did as kids.
Playing in my own tournament gave me a whole new appreciation for what these guys do. I only played 2 out of 3 sets, and by the end of the tournament I felt like I was going to pass out. These guys do it at a much, much higher level for 3 out of 5 in front of thousands of people.
Wow, is it hard out there. Wow, is it a war out there.
To think, Verdasco's reward is to play Rafa less than 48 hours later. Some gift. Some reward.
Playing in my own tournament also gave me an appreciation of just how gutsy you have to be on the big points, when it really really matters. The only reason I was able to pull out that tie-breaker in the finals was because I was simply more willing to go for it. Every ounce in my body wanted to play it safe and be more passive, but I realized I HAD to actually be MORE aggressive on the big points.
I had to play big man's tennis when it mattered most. That is what these guys do when the stakes are 1000 times higher. That takes guts. That takes courage.
That one-on-one battle for over four hours where they both leave their heart on the court is why I love tennis. That is why I consider it the greatest sport in the world.
And that is very much like our own lives. We need to be gutsy and take chances when we may want to be passive. We need to keep fighting when we are down and losing and want to quit. We need to be perseverant and heroic and always continue to battle. We need to COMPETE.
Ad OUT...
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Blog # 17: Defending Andy Roddick (sort of) from Critics
As I watched Roddick sadly go down to Tipsarevic last night and lose his cool at the poor lineswoman who called a foot fault against him, I couldn't help but feel for the guy. I also couldn’t help but get angry when sports fans who know next to nothing about tennis rip into him and call him a failure and disgrace to his sport.
Now, don't get me wrong, I am by no means excusing or defending his conduct last night; it was completely wrong of him to lay into that woman, and once again, he showed he has a very difficult time letting things go on the court. He acted poorly in the heat of the battle. But, that by no means takes away from the fact that he has been in the top 10 seven straight years, he has loyally and faithfully played Davis Cup for his country, he is a good ambassador to the game, he is funny, charming, and classy off the court, and when he messes up on the court, he admits it and apologizes.
We are all human. We all get carried away and say and do the wrong thing at times. I wish Roddick could be as classy as Federer or Rafa on the court, but let's not get carried away with bashing him. When I walked into work today at Brentwood School to teach my English course, several of my colleagues were lambasting him and scoffing at his career.
Do they know how hard it is to be in the top 10 seven straight years?
Do they know how many slams Roddick might have won were it not for Rafa and Roger? How frustrating that must be? I know that doesn’t excuse being a jerk on the court, but can we cut him a LITTLE slack?
Don't get me wrong, there have been three or four times where I have seen him behaving in a less than an ideal manner. But he has always been sincere in his remorse and apology afterwards. As humans, I think it is admirable to admit when we are wrong and try to make amends.
Now, Andy clearly is at a crossroads in his career and he needs to get back to playing AGRESSIVE tennis where he FLATTENS out a big forehand to hit WINNERS and not get into cute rallies with these guys.
But, let's not erase and defame a man's whole career and character based on a few bad moments on the court.
Aren't we bigger than that?
AD OUT...
Now, don't get me wrong, I am by no means excusing or defending his conduct last night; it was completely wrong of him to lay into that woman, and once again, he showed he has a very difficult time letting things go on the court. He acted poorly in the heat of the battle. But, that by no means takes away from the fact that he has been in the top 10 seven straight years, he has loyally and faithfully played Davis Cup for his country, he is a good ambassador to the game, he is funny, charming, and classy off the court, and when he messes up on the court, he admits it and apologizes.
We are all human. We all get carried away and say and do the wrong thing at times. I wish Roddick could be as classy as Federer or Rafa on the court, but let's not get carried away with bashing him. When I walked into work today at Brentwood School to teach my English course, several of my colleagues were lambasting him and scoffing at his career.
Do they know how hard it is to be in the top 10 seven straight years?
Do they know how many slams Roddick might have won were it not for Rafa and Roger? How frustrating that must be? I know that doesn’t excuse being a jerk on the court, but can we cut him a LITTLE slack?
Don't get me wrong, there have been three or four times where I have seen him behaving in a less than an ideal manner. But he has always been sincere in his remorse and apology afterwards. As humans, I think it is admirable to admit when we are wrong and try to make amends.
Now, Andy clearly is at a crossroads in his career and he needs to get back to playing AGRESSIVE tennis where he FLATTENS out a big forehand to hit WINNERS and not get into cute rallies with these guys.
But, let's not erase and defame a man's whole career and character based on a few bad moments on the court.
Aren't we bigger than that?
AD OUT...
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Blog # 16: Learning from Mardy Fish: It is never too late to make the hard choices that will change your life forever
As I watched the Cincinnati final last weekend between Mardy Fish and Roger Federer, I couldn't help but marvel at Fish's comeback and be inspired by what he has done. About a year ago, Fish was at his lowest point in his tennis career; he was overweight, he was facing an imminent knee surgery, and people continued to say he would never, ever live up to his high potential as a tennis player.
Mardy says he had one of those life moments. You know the kind. Where you look at yourself in the mirror and see two potential roads you may head down. Road one (unfortunately often the easier one and road of least resistance) is where you keep doing what you have been and continue to head down this dark path. Road two, the road you know will be the toughest journey you have ever embarked upon, is your new path. It will lead you on a scary and unknown journey, but it is the the road you know you need to be on. You were meant to be on it.
Fish looked at himself in the mirror and contemplated retirement. But he ultimately decided to use this dark time as a learning opportunity. As a chance to change his life. He decided to go through with the surgery and to lose 25 pounds in recovery, to get more fit than he has ever been, and to give his tennis career one last full blown go. He knew he had the physical talent, and now that he had hit rock bottom, he was ready to put in the work. To do the really really hard stuff. The kind of work that is most rewarding.
I had a similar moment about six years ago in my own life. I had always been a heavy drinker and loved to party on the weekends, and I could see what it was doing to me and where I was headed. When I woke up the morning of December 3 2004, I looked myself in the mirror just as Mardy did. I knew I could either continue on the path of destruction, or make the hardest changes of my life. Like Mardy, I chose the harder, but more rewarding journey. It was the most important moment in my life.
This is why I am pulling for Mardy Fish as he heads into the 2010 US Open.
Because he teaches us all it is never too late to make difficult and critical changes.
What difficult and important changes do you need to make as you look in the mirror?
Ad OUT...
Mardy says he had one of those life moments. You know the kind. Where you look at yourself in the mirror and see two potential roads you may head down. Road one (unfortunately often the easier one and road of least resistance) is where you keep doing what you have been and continue to head down this dark path. Road two, the road you know will be the toughest journey you have ever embarked upon, is your new path. It will lead you on a scary and unknown journey, but it is the the road you know you need to be on. You were meant to be on it.
Fish looked at himself in the mirror and contemplated retirement. But he ultimately decided to use this dark time as a learning opportunity. As a chance to change his life. He decided to go through with the surgery and to lose 25 pounds in recovery, to get more fit than he has ever been, and to give his tennis career one last full blown go. He knew he had the physical talent, and now that he had hit rock bottom, he was ready to put in the work. To do the really really hard stuff. The kind of work that is most rewarding.
I had a similar moment about six years ago in my own life. I had always been a heavy drinker and loved to party on the weekends, and I could see what it was doing to me and where I was headed. When I woke up the morning of December 3 2004, I looked myself in the mirror just as Mardy did. I knew I could either continue on the path of destruction, or make the hardest changes of my life. Like Mardy, I chose the harder, but more rewarding journey. It was the most important moment in my life.
This is why I am pulling for Mardy Fish as he heads into the 2010 US Open.
Because he teaches us all it is never too late to make difficult and critical changes.
What difficult and important changes do you need to make as you look in the mirror?
Ad OUT...
Monday, August 16, 2010
Blog #15 Top 10 take-aways from Toronto 2010
1. Murray is the best player in the world on hard courts when he plays agressively. He could win majors and be #1 if he always played that way. Unfortunately, 90 percent of the time against 90 percent of opponents, he doesn't need to, so he has a hard time MAKING himself be aggressive.
2. Fed is not all the way back. He still is seriously lacking confidence and making way, way too many unforced errors. But, when he is making a large percentage of first serves, he is so so hard to beat. He will NOT win the Open.
3. Rafa is still incredibly vulnerable on the hard stuff. Anyone who hits hard, flat enough, and big enough can beat him on any given day.
4. Djoko still completely lacks confidence and no one takes him seriously as #2 in the world. He has not beaten ANYONE in the top 10 the ENTIRE year. He is so so fragile emotionally. He has all of the weapons to be #1, but not the mental toughness.
5. If Nalbandian lost 10 more pounds and kept working hard, he can win a major and get into the top 5. He would stay more healthy, and no one is better than him when he is on.
6. Berdych is the real deal and will win a slam. He now has won me over because he has learned what it means to COMPETE.
7. Dologolpov is perhaps the best young player in the game and will get to the top 15.
8. Cilic is in a world of trouble and had better get it going FAST.
9. Sod is still way, way too up and down.
10. DavyD may never get back to the top 8, no matter how many thousands of tourni's he plays every year!
2. Fed is not all the way back. He still is seriously lacking confidence and making way, way too many unforced errors. But, when he is making a large percentage of first serves, he is so so hard to beat. He will NOT win the Open.
3. Rafa is still incredibly vulnerable on the hard stuff. Anyone who hits hard, flat enough, and big enough can beat him on any given day.
4. Djoko still completely lacks confidence and no one takes him seriously as #2 in the world. He has not beaten ANYONE in the top 10 the ENTIRE year. He is so so fragile emotionally. He has all of the weapons to be #1, but not the mental toughness.
5. If Nalbandian lost 10 more pounds and kept working hard, he can win a major and get into the top 5. He would stay more healthy, and no one is better than him when he is on.
6. Berdych is the real deal and will win a slam. He now has won me over because he has learned what it means to COMPETE.
7. Dologolpov is perhaps the best young player in the game and will get to the top 15.
8. Cilic is in a world of trouble and had better get it going FAST.
9. Sod is still way, way too up and down.
10. DavyD may never get back to the top 8, no matter how many thousands of tourni's he plays every year!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Blog #14: One is the Loneliest Number
One of the things I love most about tennis is that the men are out there all ALONE, by themselves, with no coaches allowed to help them during their matches. I appreciate and treasure how lonely it is out there for these guys. Sure, Rafa can look up at Uncle Tony for encouragement and support, but I've watched a lot of matches, believe me, and I've never seen Tony hit one cross-court passing shot or one serve up the middle at break point. When the umpire on that court says, "play" it is all up to Rafa.
Now I know that Phil Jackson never shoots a free throw, and Joe Torre never throws a pitch, but in most sports (particularly team sports) like basketball, baseball, football, soccer, there is tons of coaching going on during the actual time of play. There are strategic decisions being made, there are substitutions being shuffled in and out, there are encouraging words being shouted constantly. In tennis, the players can get all of the coaching they want before and after the match, but during the match it is all on THEM, and them alone. Ain't nobody trotting in to give them a five minute rest.
This is a huge part of what makes a one-on-one, mano a mano tennis battle that much more special and intense. When Rafa and Roger are out on Center Court for five hours in the finals of Wimby, they have only themselves to consult. That takes incredible toughness. That takes a man.
Some think coaching should be allowed during matches. I say NO WAY! This is one of the most compelling aspects of tennis. In addition to the tremendous physical grind, the mental toughness it demands is AWESOME. How different would it be if they were sitting there chatting with their coaches during change-overs, or allowed to call timeout to get coached? I like seeing them thinking alone with no one to talk to but themselves as everyone stares at them during the change-overs. How vulnerable they look. How heroic.
To me, that is a lot like our lives, yours and mine. For we may have many people who love us, support us, coach us before big moments and after, but ULTIMATELY we are alone in our words and actions and choices. In the end, when it really matters, we have to take full responsibility and act as our own, independent free agents. We may rely on the strength and support of our "team", just as the players on the ATP do, but at life's most intense and important moments, it is all on us.
How's your cross-court backhand passing shot at break point in the fifth set of a major?
How's that serve of yours?
Chips are down, you are all in, there is no Uncle Tony. It is all you.
How do you compete?
Ad OUT...
Now I know that Phil Jackson never shoots a free throw, and Joe Torre never throws a pitch, but in most sports (particularly team sports) like basketball, baseball, football, soccer, there is tons of coaching going on during the actual time of play. There are strategic decisions being made, there are substitutions being shuffled in and out, there are encouraging words being shouted constantly. In tennis, the players can get all of the coaching they want before and after the match, but during the match it is all on THEM, and them alone. Ain't nobody trotting in to give them a five minute rest.
This is a huge part of what makes a one-on-one, mano a mano tennis battle that much more special and intense. When Rafa and Roger are out on Center Court for five hours in the finals of Wimby, they have only themselves to consult. That takes incredible toughness. That takes a man.
Some think coaching should be allowed during matches. I say NO WAY! This is one of the most compelling aspects of tennis. In addition to the tremendous physical grind, the mental toughness it demands is AWESOME. How different would it be if they were sitting there chatting with their coaches during change-overs, or allowed to call timeout to get coached? I like seeing them thinking alone with no one to talk to but themselves as everyone stares at them during the change-overs. How vulnerable they look. How heroic.
To me, that is a lot like our lives, yours and mine. For we may have many people who love us, support us, coach us before big moments and after, but ULTIMATELY we are alone in our words and actions and choices. In the end, when it really matters, we have to take full responsibility and act as our own, independent free agents. We may rely on the strength and support of our "team", just as the players on the ATP do, but at life's most intense and important moments, it is all on us.
How's your cross-court backhand passing shot at break point in the fifth set of a major?
How's that serve of yours?
Chips are down, you are all in, there is no Uncle Tony. It is all you.
How do you compete?
Ad OUT...
Monday, July 19, 2010
BLOG # 13: Why it is harder to win a tennis major than a Golf Major
As I watched the 27 year-old South African Louis Oosthuizen calmly and casually win the British Open in golf and celebrate with his wife and daughter yesterday, my first thought was: why the hell aren't I out in Scotland on some beautiful course winning a million dollars for my new family?
My second thought, though, was why someone like him, ranked 56 in the the world (and a guy nobody outside of his family and mailman had heard of) could NEVER win a tennis major. Sorry but don't be betting on Lukasz Kubot (ranked #56 on the ATP) to win the US OPEN in Fushing Meadows this September.
So....why?
Why does it happen relatively often in golf, and NEVER in tennis? Well.. Three important reasons come to mind.
First, in golf Louis was only battling the course and himself. He had no direct opponent hitting balls at him. What I love so much about tennis is the one-on-one, mano a mano battle between two gladiators. That changes absolutely everything. If Oosthuizen had to take on Tiger Woods directly or a competitor like Federer or Nadal, that would drastically alter the equation. He wouldn't believe he could win that fight on national television in front of millions of people. Even if it is match play in golf, or even if it is the final twosome fighting for the title, there is no DIRECT conflict. No opponent can physically alter the way Louis hits his drive or putts his putt. Can Andy Murray say that about his return of serve against Roddick? Nope. Roddick's serve has everything to do with Murray's return.
Reason number 2 is that Louis only had to do it for four days. To win a tennis major, you have to perform for seven straight matches. I don't think a guy ranked 56 in the world in golf could do it seven straight days. Eventually, the pressure would get to him. He would only be entering the second week of a tennis major right now. That's one heck of a difference.
The last reason why this could never happen in tennis is because in tennis you ALWAYS have to go through the top 5 or so guys directly to win a major. Whether those guys are Federer and Nadal, or Connors and McEnroe, you have to beat them on the tennis court. And they simply won't let you beat them. In golf, you only have to go through the course. Would Rafa or Roger have gone down to the Louis Oosthuizen in tennis? I don't think so!
Now, one could argue this makes it tougher to win a golf major since there are more potential people who could win. One could also argue this makes golf more interesting since it is even less predictable.
I beg to differ. I like GREATNESS and consistency and rivalries.
I like how they have to do it for 7 days in tennis.
I like how they have to do it directly against another human being on the court. And that to me is the life lesson here. In tennis you get the one-on-one battle and you have to make constant adjustments and tweaks based on what your opponent is doing. Isn't that more like life, where we constantly have to tweak our behavior based on the reactions and actions of others? The tennis match is like a chess game, each player trying to outsmart, as well as out hit, the other. That is simple AWESOME.
That is why I LOVE tennis.
AD OUT.
My second thought, though, was why someone like him, ranked 56 in the the world (and a guy nobody outside of his family and mailman had heard of) could NEVER win a tennis major. Sorry but don't be betting on Lukasz Kubot (ranked #56 on the ATP) to win the US OPEN in Fushing Meadows this September.
So....why?
Why does it happen relatively often in golf, and NEVER in tennis? Well.. Three important reasons come to mind.
First, in golf Louis was only battling the course and himself. He had no direct opponent hitting balls at him. What I love so much about tennis is the one-on-one, mano a mano battle between two gladiators. That changes absolutely everything. If Oosthuizen had to take on Tiger Woods directly or a competitor like Federer or Nadal, that would drastically alter the equation. He wouldn't believe he could win that fight on national television in front of millions of people. Even if it is match play in golf, or even if it is the final twosome fighting for the title, there is no DIRECT conflict. No opponent can physically alter the way Louis hits his drive or putts his putt. Can Andy Murray say that about his return of serve against Roddick? Nope. Roddick's serve has everything to do with Murray's return.
Reason number 2 is that Louis only had to do it for four days. To win a tennis major, you have to perform for seven straight matches. I don't think a guy ranked 56 in the world in golf could do it seven straight days. Eventually, the pressure would get to him. He would only be entering the second week of a tennis major right now. That's one heck of a difference.
The last reason why this could never happen in tennis is because in tennis you ALWAYS have to go through the top 5 or so guys directly to win a major. Whether those guys are Federer and Nadal, or Connors and McEnroe, you have to beat them on the tennis court. And they simply won't let you beat them. In golf, you only have to go through the course. Would Rafa or Roger have gone down to the Louis Oosthuizen in tennis? I don't think so!
Now, one could argue this makes it tougher to win a golf major since there are more potential people who could win. One could also argue this makes golf more interesting since it is even less predictable.
I beg to differ. I like GREATNESS and consistency and rivalries.
I like how they have to do it for 7 days in tennis.
I like how they have to do it directly against another human being on the court. And that to me is the life lesson here. In tennis you get the one-on-one battle and you have to make constant adjustments and tweaks based on what your opponent is doing. Isn't that more like life, where we constantly have to tweak our behavior based on the reactions and actions of others? The tennis match is like a chess game, each player trying to outsmart, as well as out hit, the other. That is simple AWESOME.
That is why I LOVE tennis.
AD OUT.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Who the Hell am I and What is this Blog For?
My name is Jake Willens, I am 32 years old, I live in Culver City, CA with my wife Jennie, 7 month old daughter Grace, yellow Lab Kona, and I am a TENNIS-AHOLIC. That’s right, I am powerless over my love for and obsession with tennis, and I may need a 12 step group to bring back my sanity.
Or perhaps this blog will provide a healthy outlet for my crazy tennis mind?
Jennie jokes that 4 times a year (the majors) when I have Direct TV’s 7 channels running in conjunction with ESPN 360’s live feed from our computer, I act like our daughter when she is playing with her ruby duckies in the bathtub. That’s how into I get.
It is kind of sick.
How did I get here? Well, I grew up on the west side of Los Angeles in a family where tennis was ingrained in our blood. My father and mother were professional players (actually my mom was in the top 10 in the world, but much to our dismay before women were even paid), and my two older sisters were college tennis players. My father’s two best friends are college tennis coaches, so one could say I was mildly surrounded by tennis. I couldn’t escape.
It was surprising then, when at age 12 after I had won several junior tennis tournaments and looked to have a bright future in the sport, I chose to focus instead on baseball. I went on to play baseball at Stanford (where my mom and sister had played tennis). I couldn’t escape tennis even there, though, as I lived in SAE, the frat with all of the tennis team, and I even wrote the men’s tennis beat for our school newspaper. We were #1 in the country both in tennis and in baseball when I was there, so I know a little bit about what it takes to play at a high level.
I also learned a ton about that from my grandfather, Frankie Albert, who was a great left-handed quarterback for Stanford University and the San Francisco 49ers. He also went on to coach the 9ers.
Do you get the idea that I have kind of been surrounded by sports my whole life?
It was only when I was well out of college and into my English teaching career at Brentwood School in Los Angeles that I fell back in love with tennis. It began slowly in 2004 when my dad told me about this Spanish clay courter he’d seen in a satellite tourni in Argentina. My dad said, watch out, this guy is for real. The kid’s name was Rafael Nadal. I started following his progress, and my love for men’s tennis continued to rise as fast as his ranking did.
That love became so strong that when I woke up the Monday after Wimbledon recently with tennis withdrawl and wanting someone to talk to about it, I knew I had to do something. Originally, my idea was to write a tennis book that would require much traveling, but I figured I want to do something before I retire in about 40 years (that is if I ever retire on a teacher’s salary)! So, this blog was born.
What is the purpose of this blog? Well, all blogs are about communicating, aren’t they? This one will hopefully allow us to communicate about tennis, and sports in general, and yes, even life lessons learned there. Let’s create a Center Court where tennis and sports lovers can read about and respond to issues both between and outside the white lines. I hope to make the appeal compelling enough, and broad enough, that all people who enjoy sports (and perhaps even a few who don’t) can sit up and say, “hey, yeah, totally!” Or even, “what, no way, dude.”
And when all is said and done, maybe you’ll even agree with me that tennis the greatest sport in the world and the one that teaches us the most life lessons.
This is what I do every day with my Middle School students; we try to find the lessons for all of us in Shakespeare or Mark Twain or Langston Hughes.
Why not Nadal and Federer?
Let’s serve ‘em up.
AD OUT…
Or perhaps this blog will provide a healthy outlet for my crazy tennis mind?
Jennie jokes that 4 times a year (the majors) when I have Direct TV’s 7 channels running in conjunction with ESPN 360’s live feed from our computer, I act like our daughter when she is playing with her ruby duckies in the bathtub. That’s how into I get.
It is kind of sick.
How did I get here? Well, I grew up on the west side of Los Angeles in a family where tennis was ingrained in our blood. My father and mother were professional players (actually my mom was in the top 10 in the world, but much to our dismay before women were even paid), and my two older sisters were college tennis players. My father’s two best friends are college tennis coaches, so one could say I was mildly surrounded by tennis. I couldn’t escape.
It was surprising then, when at age 12 after I had won several junior tennis tournaments and looked to have a bright future in the sport, I chose to focus instead on baseball. I went on to play baseball at Stanford (where my mom and sister had played tennis). I couldn’t escape tennis even there, though, as I lived in SAE, the frat with all of the tennis team, and I even wrote the men’s tennis beat for our school newspaper. We were #1 in the country both in tennis and in baseball when I was there, so I know a little bit about what it takes to play at a high level.
I also learned a ton about that from my grandfather, Frankie Albert, who was a great left-handed quarterback for Stanford University and the San Francisco 49ers. He also went on to coach the 9ers.
Do you get the idea that I have kind of been surrounded by sports my whole life?
It was only when I was well out of college and into my English teaching career at Brentwood School in Los Angeles that I fell back in love with tennis. It began slowly in 2004 when my dad told me about this Spanish clay courter he’d seen in a satellite tourni in Argentina. My dad said, watch out, this guy is for real. The kid’s name was Rafael Nadal. I started following his progress, and my love for men’s tennis continued to rise as fast as his ranking did.
That love became so strong that when I woke up the Monday after Wimbledon recently with tennis withdrawl and wanting someone to talk to about it, I knew I had to do something. Originally, my idea was to write a tennis book that would require much traveling, but I figured I want to do something before I retire in about 40 years (that is if I ever retire on a teacher’s salary)! So, this blog was born.
What is the purpose of this blog? Well, all blogs are about communicating, aren’t they? This one will hopefully allow us to communicate about tennis, and sports in general, and yes, even life lessons learned there. Let’s create a Center Court where tennis and sports lovers can read about and respond to issues both between and outside the white lines. I hope to make the appeal compelling enough, and broad enough, that all people who enjoy sports (and perhaps even a few who don’t) can sit up and say, “hey, yeah, totally!” Or even, “what, no way, dude.”
And when all is said and done, maybe you’ll even agree with me that tennis the greatest sport in the world and the one that teaches us the most life lessons.
This is what I do every day with my Middle School students; we try to find the lessons for all of us in Shakespeare or Mark Twain or Langston Hughes.
Why not Nadal and Federer?
Let’s serve ‘em up.
AD OUT…
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Blog # 12: Top 10 Life-Lessons to Learn From Tennis
1. The Rafa lesson- There is no substitute for sheer hard work and determination and grit and sweat and blood and tears. Need I say more?
2. The Ferrer lesson-- it is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
3. The Sod and Berdych lesson-- if at first you don't succeed, keep trying. Not all of us come into our greatness right away.
4. The Roddick lesson: There is nothing better and professional consistency and hard work-- Roddick in the top 10 the last 7 years speaks volumes.
5. The Fed lesson-- the class with which you do something matters as much as what you accomplish.
6. The Gulbis/Monfils/Gasquet lesson-- no matter how talented you are, if you don't put in the work or have the head and heart, you will not reach greatness.
7. The Murray and Djoko lesson-- capitalize quickly and forcefully when your window is open, because it closes fast.
8. Rafa lesson #2-- constantly be looking for ways to transform, adapt, and change your "game" for the better.
9. The Fed lesson # 2-- ultimately you are alone out there (he basically has no coach) with others surrounding you who love and care about you-- it is up to YOU!
10. The Rafa lesson # 3-- it is all about head and heart and mental toughness!!!
AD OUT...
2. The Ferrer lesson-- it is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
3. The Sod and Berdych lesson-- if at first you don't succeed, keep trying. Not all of us come into our greatness right away.
4. The Roddick lesson: There is nothing better and professional consistency and hard work-- Roddick in the top 10 the last 7 years speaks volumes.
5. The Fed lesson-- the class with which you do something matters as much as what you accomplish.
6. The Gulbis/Monfils/Gasquet lesson-- no matter how talented you are, if you don't put in the work or have the head and heart, you will not reach greatness.
7. The Murray and Djoko lesson-- capitalize quickly and forcefully when your window is open, because it closes fast.
8. Rafa lesson #2-- constantly be looking for ways to transform, adapt, and change your "game" for the better.
9. The Fed lesson # 2-- ultimately you are alone out there (he basically has no coach) with others surrounding you who love and care about you-- it is up to YOU!
10. The Rafa lesson # 3-- it is all about head and heart and mental toughness!!!
AD OUT...
Monday, July 12, 2010
BLOG # 11: Top 5 best sheer competitors, top five worst competitors
Best:
1. Rafa (now passed Tiger as the best competitor in ALL of sports)
2. Fed (23 straight Semis is all you need to know)
3. David Ferrer-- no one does more to maximize physical ability
4. Davy D: second behind Ferrer on the above
5. Hewitt: third to the above two in that category
Worst:
1. Gulbis: he should be top 5 in the world by now, but he is too busy partying with his rich Latvian friends
2. JoWillie: Way, way, way too up and down
3. Monfils: what a waste of amazing athletic talent
4. Lubi: no one with his ability should lose in the first round so many times and have NOT won a major
5. Verdasco: I like the guy, but he cant break through into the REAL bigtime
AD OUT...
1. Rafa (now passed Tiger as the best competitor in ALL of sports)
2. Fed (23 straight Semis is all you need to know)
3. David Ferrer-- no one does more to maximize physical ability
4. Davy D: second behind Ferrer on the above
5. Hewitt: third to the above two in that category
Worst:
1. Gulbis: he should be top 5 in the world by now, but he is too busy partying with his rich Latvian friends
2. JoWillie: Way, way, way too up and down
3. Monfils: what a waste of amazing athletic talent
4. Lubi: no one with his ability should lose in the first round so many times and have NOT won a major
5. Verdasco: I like the guy, but he cant break through into the REAL bigtime
AD OUT...
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Who the Hell am I and What is this Blog For?
My name is Jake Willens, I am 32 years old, I live in Culver City, CA with my wife Jennie, 7 month old daughter Grace, yellow Lab Kona, and I am a TENNIS-AHOLIC. That’s right, I am powerless over my love for and obsession with tennis, and I may need a 12 step group to bring back my sanity.
Or perhaps this blog will provide a healthy outlet for my crazy tennis mind?
Jennie jokes that 4 times a year (the majors) when I have Direct TV’s 7 channels running in conjunction with ESPN 360’s live feed from our computer, I act like our daughter when she is playing with her ruby duckies in the bathtub. That’s how into I get.
It is kind of sick.
How did I get here? Well, I grew up on the west side of Los Angeles in a family where tennis was ingrained in our blood. My father and mother were professional players (actually my mom was in the top 10 in the world, but much to our dismay before women were even paid), and my two older sisters were college tennis players. My father’s two best friends are college tennis coaches, so one could say I was mildly surrounded by tennis. I couldn’t escape.
It was surprising then, when at age 12 after I had won several junior tennis tournaments and looked to have a bright future in the sport, I chose to focus instead on baseball. I went on to play baseball at Stanford (where my mom and sister had played tennis). I couldn’t escape tennis even there, though, as I lived in SAE, the frat with all of the tennis team, and I even wrote the men’s tennis beat for our school newspaper. We were #1 in the country both in tennis and in baseball when I was there, so I know a little bit about what it takes to play at a high level.
I also learned a ton about that from my grandfather, Frankie Albert, who was a great left-handed quarterback for Stanford University and the San Francisco 49ers. He also went on to coach the 9ers.
Do you get the idea that I have kind of been surrounded by sports my whole life?
It was only when I was well out of college and into my English teaching career at Brentwood School in Los Angeles that I fell back in love with tennis. It began slowly in 2004 when my dad told me about this Spanish clay courter he’d seen in a satellite tourni in Argentina. My dad said, watch out, this guy is for real. The kid’s name was Rafael Nadal. I started following his progress, and my love for men’s tennis continued to rise as fast as his ranking did.
That love became so strong that when I woke up the Monday after Wimbledon recently with tennis withdrawl and wanting someone to talk to about it, I knew I had to do something. Originally, my idea was to write a tennis book that would require much traveling, but I figured I want to do something before I retire in about 40 years (that is if I ever retire on a teacher’s salary)! So, this blog was born.
What is the purpose of this blog? Well, all blogs are about communicating, aren’t they? This one will hopefully allow us to communicate about tennis, and sports in general, and yes, even life lessons learned there. Let’s create a Center Court where tennis and sports lovers can read about and respond to issues both between and outside the white lines. I hope to make the appeal compelling enough, and broad enough, that all people who enjoy sports (and perhaps even a few who don’t) can sit up and say, “hey, yeah, totally!” Or even, “what, no way, dude.”
And when all is said and done, maybe you’ll even agree with me that tennis the greatest sport in the world and the one that teaches us the most life lessons.
This is what I do every day with my Middle School students; we try to find the lessons for all of us in Shakespeare or Mark Twain or Langston Hughes.
Why not Nadal and Federer?
Let’s serve ‘em up.
AD OUT…
Or perhaps this blog will provide a healthy outlet for my crazy tennis mind?
Jennie jokes that 4 times a year (the majors) when I have Direct TV’s 7 channels running in conjunction with ESPN 360’s live feed from our computer, I act like our daughter when she is playing with her ruby duckies in the bathtub. That’s how into I get.
It is kind of sick.
How did I get here? Well, I grew up on the west side of Los Angeles in a family where tennis was ingrained in our blood. My father and mother were professional players (actually my mom was in the top 10 in the world, but much to our dismay before women were even paid), and my two older sisters were college tennis players. My father’s two best friends are college tennis coaches, so one could say I was mildly surrounded by tennis. I couldn’t escape.
It was surprising then, when at age 12 after I had won several junior tennis tournaments and looked to have a bright future in the sport, I chose to focus instead on baseball. I went on to play baseball at Stanford (where my mom and sister had played tennis). I couldn’t escape tennis even there, though, as I lived in SAE, the frat with all of the tennis team, and I even wrote the men’s tennis beat for our school newspaper. We were #1 in the country both in tennis and in baseball when I was there, so I know a little bit about what it takes to play at a high level.
I also learned a ton about that from my grandfather, Frankie Albert, who was a great left-handed quarterback for Stanford University and the San Francisco 49ers. He also went on to coach the 9ers.
Do you get the idea that I have kind of been surrounded by sports my whole life?
It was only when I was well out of college and into my English teaching career at Brentwood School in Los Angeles that I fell back in love with tennis. It began slowly in 2004 when my dad told me about this Spanish clay courter he’d seen in a satellite tourni in Argentina. My dad said, watch out, this guy is for real. The kid’s name was Rafael Nadal. I started following his progress, and my love for men’s tennis continued to rise as fast as his ranking did.
That love became so strong that when I woke up the Monday after Wimbledon recently with tennis withdrawl and wanting someone to talk to about it, I knew I had to do something. Originally, my idea was to write a tennis book that would require much traveling, but I figured I want to do something before I retire in about 40 years (that is if I ever retire on a teacher’s salary)! So, this blog was born.
What is the purpose of this blog? Well, all blogs are about communicating, aren’t they? This one will hopefully allow us to communicate about tennis, and sports in general, and yes, even life lessons learned there. Let’s create a Center Court where tennis and sports lovers can read about and respond to issues both between and outside the white lines. I hope to make the appeal compelling enough, and broad enough, that all people who enjoy sports (and perhaps even a few who don’t) can sit up and say, “hey, yeah, totally!” Or even, “what, no way, dude.”
And when all is said and done, maybe you’ll even agree with me that tennis the greatest sport in the world and the one that teaches us the most life lessons.
This is what I do every day with my Middle School students; we try to find the lessons for all of us in Shakespeare or Mark Twain or Langston Hughes.
Why not Nadal and Federer?
Let’s serve ‘em up.
AD OUT…
Friday, July 9, 2010
BLOG # 10: Top 5 reasons tennis is the best sport
1. You are all alone out there
2. Demands the greatest combination of physical and mental toughness
3. Travel all over the world week after week and you have to get up for match after match-- man that is hard
4. The one-on-one battle and class and respect and sportsmanship it demands
5. Rafa plays tennis and he is the GREATEST COMPETITOR OF ANY ATHLETE IN THE WORLD!
Ad Out...
2. Demands the greatest combination of physical and mental toughness
3. Travel all over the world week after week and you have to get up for match after match-- man that is hard
4. The one-on-one battle and class and respect and sportsmanship it demands
5. Rafa plays tennis and he is the GREATEST COMPETITOR OF ANY ATHLETE IN THE WORLD!
Ad Out...
BLOG # 9: Top 4 worst shots in the game
1. Djoko second serve right now (you are only as good as your second)
2. Gonzo backhand when he is not confident (like now)
3. Stepanek forehand (or ANY groundy he hits!)-- man that thing is ugly!
4. Murray looping forehand instead of him GOING FOR IT!
Ad Out...
2. Gonzo backhand when he is not confident (like now)
3. Stepanek forehand (or ANY groundy he hits!)-- man that thing is ugly!
4. Murray looping forehand instead of him GOING FOR IT!
Ad Out...
BLOG # 8: Top 10 best shots in the game
1. Fed inside out forehand when he is confident (think break point in the 2009 French against Haase to win him the tourni)
2. Rafa curling forehand to the righty's backhand dragging him off the court (to set up his next winner)
3. Djoko backhand down the line
4. Sod's bludgeoning forehand when he flattens it out
5. Potro forehand when he lets loose
6. DavyD angle backhand cross-court
7. Murray drop shot
8. Isner first serve -- it would hit me in the face
9. Roddick second serve (man it is heavy!)
10.Berdych heavy forehand approach shot inside out to set up his volley.
Ad Out...
2. Rafa curling forehand to the righty's backhand dragging him off the court (to set up his next winner)
3. Djoko backhand down the line
4. Sod's bludgeoning forehand when he flattens it out
5. Potro forehand when he lets loose
6. DavyD angle backhand cross-court
7. Murray drop shot
8. Isner first serve -- it would hit me in the face
9. Roddick second serve (man it is heavy!)
10.Berdych heavy forehand approach shot inside out to set up his volley.
Ad Out...
BLOG # 7: 10 guys going the wrong direction
1. Fed
2. Davydenko
3. Lubi
4. Ferrero
5. Gonzo
6. Bagdhatis
7. Simon
8. Robredo
9. Wawrinka
10.Monaco
Ad Out...
2. Davydenko
3. Lubi
4. Ferrero
5. Gonzo
6. Bagdhatis
7. Simon
8. Robredo
9. Wawrinka
10.Monaco
Ad Out...
BLOG # 6: 10 guys to watch out for second half of 2010
1. Murray-- I think he wins in New York and has an amazing hard court season
2. Soder: He will be a on a mission and as dangerous as ever
3. Rafa (if his knees last the hard courts): He will be determined to get that career slam in NYC
4. Berdych: He has finally fully arrived
5. Youzhney: He may begin to live up to his talent
6. Isner: riding the emotion of his marathon win
7. Belluci: watch out for this young Brazilian
8. Gulbis: if he finally learns to compete and care enough
9. Petzchner: He seriously impressed me against Rafa at Wimby
10.Istomin: he has a scary game
BRANDS????
Fish (or will he break our hearts again?)??????
Maybe Giraldo from Columbia
Ad Out...
2. Soder: He will be a on a mission and as dangerous as ever
3. Rafa (if his knees last the hard courts): He will be determined to get that career slam in NYC
4. Berdych: He has finally fully arrived
5. Youzhney: He may begin to live up to his talent
6. Isner: riding the emotion of his marathon win
7. Belluci: watch out for this young Brazilian
8. Gulbis: if he finally learns to compete and care enough
9. Petzchner: He seriously impressed me against Rafa at Wimby
10.Istomin: he has a scary game
BRANDS????
Fish (or will he break our hearts again?)??????
Maybe Giraldo from Columbia
Ad Out...
Thursday, July 8, 2010
BLOG #5: Final Wimby Reflection
Last of 5 entries (PLEASE READ IN ORDER FROM BOTTOM UP!):)
5 other minor stories struck me from 2010 Wimby:
1) When Roddick lost to Lu, I genuinely felt for him. I considered him a legitimate contender to win this thing, and after how close he was last year and how well he played on the hard stuff in March, I was sorely disappointed. I also have tremendous admiration for Roddick’s work ethic and consistency. The fact that he has been in the top 10 seven straight years says it all. I truly DESPISE when sports fans who know next to nothing about tennis trash on Roddick for not winning more slams. They assume that just because he won the Open in 2003 at 21 and nothing since, he must be a choker and under-achiever. I actually think Roddick has OVER-ACHIEVED. There has been one small problem for him: Roger and Rafa. He might have won 5 slams by not were it not for them!!!! HOWEVER, one thing I have noticed since he lost weight and improved his overall backcourt game is that he has lost what won him that slam in 2003. He used to rely on a his huge serve and one massive forehand—now he has gotten away from hitting that big and at times gets too cute.
2) I actually felt sorry for Djokovich as he double faulted and choked his way into his loss against Berdych in the Semis. I respect Novak and like the guy, and it is painful to see him have such serving issues this past year. His window is closing, and he had better win another slam soon, or he might go away. Is there a #2 in the world who deserves that ranking less?
3) I also felt for Murray in his semi’s loss against Rafa. Considering all of the pressure he is under, he played an amazing first two sets. When he had that 6-5 lead in the second set breaker and missed that first serve and lost the point, I felt the match and tournament slip away. I hope he wins a slam soon (I am picking him in NYC), because the longer he waits, the bigger the monkey on his back gets. With Murray, he is such a great defender, I believe he relies on that too much and does not rip his forehand effectively enough. You can’t win slams or be number one in the men’s game without a HUGE FOREHAND. Ask Rafa. Or Fed.
4) On another note, I was so pleased to see Soderling cement the fact that I consider him to be the third best player in the world right now and to see Berdych finally fully arrive. I like when talents like Sod and Berd live up to their billing and finally learn what it means to put in the work week in and week out. I hated Soder when he beat Rafa last year in the French, but now I respect him. Is there a scarier player on the tour? NO ONE wants to see him in their draw! It is also so great to see someone like Berdych come into his own. I consider him a legitimate threat to win ANY slam now. And the men’s game just gets DEEPER…
5) Lastly, when I see guys like Cilic lose in the first round, Verdasco go down in round 2, Almagro in round one, Blake go down again early, Monfils bow out in the 32, Tsonga fail once again to make a true stand, and Gulbis drop out before the tourni even starts, I am reminded of just how hard it is to be in the top 5 and win slams. For how talented are Verdasco and JoWillie and Gael? But every time you begin to believe in them, they break your heart. Where would Monfils and Gulbis be if they had Rafa’s head and heart? And why the heck can’t Cilic make his serious break through?
NOT ENOUGH FIRE IN THE BELLY?
All of these are reminders of how amazing guys like Rafa and Fed truly are.
Man, it’s hard to be great.
Ask Michael Jordan. Or Derek Jeter. Or Bruce Springstein. Or Bill Gates.
You can get to the quarters. You can win a tourni in Toledo. Maybe you can even win a major…Once.
Try winning 16. Or even 8.
Try winning the French Open and Wimby back to back.
Then we’ll talk GREAT.
AD OUT….
5 other minor stories struck me from 2010 Wimby:
1) When Roddick lost to Lu, I genuinely felt for him. I considered him a legitimate contender to win this thing, and after how close he was last year and how well he played on the hard stuff in March, I was sorely disappointed. I also have tremendous admiration for Roddick’s work ethic and consistency. The fact that he has been in the top 10 seven straight years says it all. I truly DESPISE when sports fans who know next to nothing about tennis trash on Roddick for not winning more slams. They assume that just because he won the Open in 2003 at 21 and nothing since, he must be a choker and under-achiever. I actually think Roddick has OVER-ACHIEVED. There has been one small problem for him: Roger and Rafa. He might have won 5 slams by not were it not for them!!!! HOWEVER, one thing I have noticed since he lost weight and improved his overall backcourt game is that he has lost what won him that slam in 2003. He used to rely on a his huge serve and one massive forehand—now he has gotten away from hitting that big and at times gets too cute.
2) I actually felt sorry for Djokovich as he double faulted and choked his way into his loss against Berdych in the Semis. I respect Novak and like the guy, and it is painful to see him have such serving issues this past year. His window is closing, and he had better win another slam soon, or he might go away. Is there a #2 in the world who deserves that ranking less?
3) I also felt for Murray in his semi’s loss against Rafa. Considering all of the pressure he is under, he played an amazing first two sets. When he had that 6-5 lead in the second set breaker and missed that first serve and lost the point, I felt the match and tournament slip away. I hope he wins a slam soon (I am picking him in NYC), because the longer he waits, the bigger the monkey on his back gets. With Murray, he is such a great defender, I believe he relies on that too much and does not rip his forehand effectively enough. You can’t win slams or be number one in the men’s game without a HUGE FOREHAND. Ask Rafa. Or Fed.
4) On another note, I was so pleased to see Soderling cement the fact that I consider him to be the third best player in the world right now and to see Berdych finally fully arrive. I like when talents like Sod and Berd live up to their billing and finally learn what it means to put in the work week in and week out. I hated Soder when he beat Rafa last year in the French, but now I respect him. Is there a scarier player on the tour? NO ONE wants to see him in their draw! It is also so great to see someone like Berdych come into his own. I consider him a legitimate threat to win ANY slam now. And the men’s game just gets DEEPER…
5) Lastly, when I see guys like Cilic lose in the first round, Verdasco go down in round 2, Almagro in round one, Blake go down again early, Monfils bow out in the 32, Tsonga fail once again to make a true stand, and Gulbis drop out before the tourni even starts, I am reminded of just how hard it is to be in the top 5 and win slams. For how talented are Verdasco and JoWillie and Gael? But every time you begin to believe in them, they break your heart. Where would Monfils and Gulbis be if they had Rafa’s head and heart? And why the heck can’t Cilic make his serious break through?
NOT ENOUGH FIRE IN THE BELLY?
All of these are reminders of how amazing guys like Rafa and Fed truly are.
Man, it’s hard to be great.
Ask Michael Jordan. Or Derek Jeter. Or Bruce Springstein. Or Bill Gates.
You can get to the quarters. You can win a tourni in Toledo. Maybe you can even win a major…Once.
Try winning 16. Or even 8.
Try winning the French Open and Wimby back to back.
Then we’ll talk GREAT.
AD OUT….
BLOG #4: Wimby 2010 Reflections Part III--Roger v Rafa
As I mentioned earlier, despite the amazing drama and length of the Isner-Mahut classic, the number one story to me was Rafa’s re-capturing the trophy and undisputed number one ranking again. I also mentioned that part of that story, of course, is Fed’s not reaching the SEMIS for the second straight major after making it 23 in a row.
It’s hard to speak of one without the other, isn’t it? Rafa and Roger. They always go together.
As I have fallen in love with tennis these past six years, it has been such a pleasure to watch the Roger-Rafa rivalry. I love nothing more in sports than true greatness, professional consistency, and sweet rivalries. These two men have been so awesome for tennis. I have also been in awe of how classy they are to one another, how much mutual respect they have for each other, and how they both seem to make one another better. That is a sports rivalry at its best. It is simply inspiring.
What makes their rivalry even more special and compelling to me is the contrast in their styles of play and overall energy. I tend to prefer Rafa’s gritty, tenacious, play-every-point-hard style, but I can’t help but admire Roger’s coolness and ease. He never seems distressed or tired, or like he is even sweating or working hard. God it must be frustrating to play him! Perhaps he is simply a genetic freak, and that is why he almost never gets hurt. He is some kind of freak, anyway.
The two most amazing things to me about both men are as follows: 1)Rafa’s ability to constantly be changing and adapting his game so that he can be effective on different surfaces against diverse opponents, and 2) Roger’s ability to go deep major after major, despite how small the physical margin is between men on the tour and how strong and deep the men’s game is these days. Many of these players (think Mahut or Isner) can have a big serving day and beat almost anyone on a given day. Fed (like MJ every time he walked out onto the basketball court) has also had a target on his back this whole time, and continues to perform.
Perhaps now the guys finally believe they can beat him? Perhaps now he finally believes he himself is vulnerable? All it takes is that split second of doubt on his part, and that split second of difference in his opponent’s mind to believe he can win for everything to change.
VERY big changes come in VERY small packages.
To illustrate this point, I think back to this year’s Australian open Quarter Final match with Fed against DavyDenko. DavyD had beaten him the last two times they played (both on hard court), and had recently dissected him to death and broken him down to take the Master’s trophy. In the Aussi Davy D was up a set and a break, and had break point to go up a double break. On that point, he was in control and had what for him was a sitter backhand to go up that double break. He netted it, did not get the break, and went on to go away rather quietly in 4 sets. I can’t help but think had he gone up a double break in set two, there is no way he loses that set, and had he gone up two sets to none, he wins that match. He was playing better than anyone in the world on hard courts at the time, and who knows, he may go on to win that major.
How different would DavyD’s career be had a made that backhand?
But that is the difference between him and Fed. It is a small difference (one backhand), yet a humongous one as well.
Two more quick examples in Fed matches to illustrate how small the margin is: 1) If Roddick makes that backhand volley to go up two sets in the 2009 Wimby, I firmly believe he wins that thing. It was a backhand volley he makes more than he misses. 2) I remember in the 2008 U.S. Open Berdych had a forehand volley to go up another break and, in my mind, win the match. He missed the volley and never recovered, as Roger came back from 2 sets to none to win three straight sets.
Federer luck? A little, I suppose…but he’s always close enough in a match so that his luck matters, and he’s always then able to take advantage of it. THAT’S how you go to 23 consecutive major SEMIS.
And that’s what we learn form tennis this time: stay close, hang tough, and be ready to pounce.
Maybe DavyD will miss that backhand against you too.
AD OUT…
It’s hard to speak of one without the other, isn’t it? Rafa and Roger. They always go together.
As I have fallen in love with tennis these past six years, it has been such a pleasure to watch the Roger-Rafa rivalry. I love nothing more in sports than true greatness, professional consistency, and sweet rivalries. These two men have been so awesome for tennis. I have also been in awe of how classy they are to one another, how much mutual respect they have for each other, and how they both seem to make one another better. That is a sports rivalry at its best. It is simply inspiring.
What makes their rivalry even more special and compelling to me is the contrast in their styles of play and overall energy. I tend to prefer Rafa’s gritty, tenacious, play-every-point-hard style, but I can’t help but admire Roger’s coolness and ease. He never seems distressed or tired, or like he is even sweating or working hard. God it must be frustrating to play him! Perhaps he is simply a genetic freak, and that is why he almost never gets hurt. He is some kind of freak, anyway.
The two most amazing things to me about both men are as follows: 1)Rafa’s ability to constantly be changing and adapting his game so that he can be effective on different surfaces against diverse opponents, and 2) Roger’s ability to go deep major after major, despite how small the physical margin is between men on the tour and how strong and deep the men’s game is these days. Many of these players (think Mahut or Isner) can have a big serving day and beat almost anyone on a given day. Fed (like MJ every time he walked out onto the basketball court) has also had a target on his back this whole time, and continues to perform.
Perhaps now the guys finally believe they can beat him? Perhaps now he finally believes he himself is vulnerable? All it takes is that split second of doubt on his part, and that split second of difference in his opponent’s mind to believe he can win for everything to change.
VERY big changes come in VERY small packages.
To illustrate this point, I think back to this year’s Australian open Quarter Final match with Fed against DavyDenko. DavyD had beaten him the last two times they played (both on hard court), and had recently dissected him to death and broken him down to take the Master’s trophy. In the Aussi Davy D was up a set and a break, and had break point to go up a double break. On that point, he was in control and had what for him was a sitter backhand to go up that double break. He netted it, did not get the break, and went on to go away rather quietly in 4 sets. I can’t help but think had he gone up a double break in set two, there is no way he loses that set, and had he gone up two sets to none, he wins that match. He was playing better than anyone in the world on hard courts at the time, and who knows, he may go on to win that major.
How different would DavyD’s career be had a made that backhand?
But that is the difference between him and Fed. It is a small difference (one backhand), yet a humongous one as well.
Two more quick examples in Fed matches to illustrate how small the margin is: 1) If Roddick makes that backhand volley to go up two sets in the 2009 Wimby, I firmly believe he wins that thing. It was a backhand volley he makes more than he misses. 2) I remember in the 2008 U.S. Open Berdych had a forehand volley to go up another break and, in my mind, win the match. He missed the volley and never recovered, as Roger came back from 2 sets to none to win three straight sets.
Federer luck? A little, I suppose…but he’s always close enough in a match so that his luck matters, and he’s always then able to take advantage of it. THAT’S how you go to 23 consecutive major SEMIS.
And that’s what we learn form tennis this time: stay close, hang tough, and be ready to pounce.
Maybe DavyD will miss that backhand against you too.
AD OUT…
BLOG #3: Wimby 2010 Reflections Part II-Isner-Mahut and Roger
In my last remarks, I talked about what I considered to be the THREE major stories form this year’s Wimbledon. Now, in my next two entries, I want to go into a bit more depth about two of them.
First, as I watched nearly all 11 hours of the Isner-Mahut marathon (I think they, the umpire, and I were perhaps the only ones to see at least 10 hours of it!), I couldn’t help but gain tremendous respect for both men. I was rooting passionately for Isner, both because he is an American, AND (most importantly of course!) also because I had picked him that day in our suicide pool (you must pick a different man every day whom you think will win—a great idea that I suggest for all tennis fans—thanks Shane!). Isner’s victory on day three of the epic ended up sending me on to be co-winner of the pool, by the way. Yes!
But, as the games, hours, and days rolled by, a startling realization came to me: these guys were playing for more than merely my win in the pool, they were playing for pride, and I was in utter disbelief of what I was witnessing. It almost felt like a dream to me (I can imagine how delirious both of them were!). The fact that both players could continue to get up game after game and serve that big just didn’t seem possible. The fact that by the end Isner was serving with essentially no legs and still putting enough on the ball to slap winners was unbelievable. The fact that neither one cramped enough to make them stop or simply quit was INSANE.
I was absolutely stunned when Isner wanted to continue at the end of day two (perhaps, understandably, he had lost the ability to think). I was just as flabbergasted when Mahut wanted to stop because of darkness. What was he thinking. I mean.. REALLY? At that stage Mahut was way fresher, Isner had absolutely nothing in the tank, and I believe Mahut was about to break the NEXT game. But, man, was I happy when the umpire and tournament head called it. Later, I believe John will know what a break he got. I know I thought of that when I collected my winnings☺
By the way, I find it funny that Isner only won one match and did not get as far as his seeding predicted he should have, but had his greatest tournament ever. It earned him a lot more respect (and money I would guess) than losing in the round of 32 would have.
As I watched Mahut and got more and more frustrated at this Frenchmen with annoying hair as he continued to hold game after game and his ace tally neared 100, I couldn’t help but wonder: WHO THE HELL IS THIS GUY AND WHERE HAS HE BEEN? I wanted to throw my damn computer out the window (yes, suicide pools do make you feel like you are really playing the match with them). He was not only serving mammoth, but backing it up with great groundies and making it look easy. He also seemed fresh as could be, which made me even more irate! It just shows to me how great and deep the men’s game is and how tough it is to go far in a major.
But as both men continued to battle and leave their hearts and souls on the court, I was glad day three did not end quickly. What a shame it would have been for them to walk out on the court, and have one guy break and the match be over in 5 minutes. How much would it have changed the drama and celebration if they had played 10 points and walked off? At least they got a good hour into it and the drama and tension had an opportunity to be born again and even escalate. I was hoping Isner’s reaction would be as passionate as it was, despite the fact that it was merely a first round match.
But this was NOT merely a first round match. This was WAY WAY more.
I was also thrilled that they decided to keep Mahut on the court (he probably wanted nothing more than to get the hell out of there and into an ice tank!), and honor both with a ceremony. That match and both of them deserved to be treasured and savored. What class, determination, resilience, focus, and heroism both men showed.
I will never witness another match like it as long as I live.
It’s the kind of event that makes you want to sit down and write a blog about tennis.
AD OUT…
First, as I watched nearly all 11 hours of the Isner-Mahut marathon (I think they, the umpire, and I were perhaps the only ones to see at least 10 hours of it!), I couldn’t help but gain tremendous respect for both men. I was rooting passionately for Isner, both because he is an American, AND (most importantly of course!) also because I had picked him that day in our suicide pool (you must pick a different man every day whom you think will win—a great idea that I suggest for all tennis fans—thanks Shane!). Isner’s victory on day three of the epic ended up sending me on to be co-winner of the pool, by the way. Yes!
But, as the games, hours, and days rolled by, a startling realization came to me: these guys were playing for more than merely my win in the pool, they were playing for pride, and I was in utter disbelief of what I was witnessing. It almost felt like a dream to me (I can imagine how delirious both of them were!). The fact that both players could continue to get up game after game and serve that big just didn’t seem possible. The fact that by the end Isner was serving with essentially no legs and still putting enough on the ball to slap winners was unbelievable. The fact that neither one cramped enough to make them stop or simply quit was INSANE.
I was absolutely stunned when Isner wanted to continue at the end of day two (perhaps, understandably, he had lost the ability to think). I was just as flabbergasted when Mahut wanted to stop because of darkness. What was he thinking. I mean.. REALLY? At that stage Mahut was way fresher, Isner had absolutely nothing in the tank, and I believe Mahut was about to break the NEXT game. But, man, was I happy when the umpire and tournament head called it. Later, I believe John will know what a break he got. I know I thought of that when I collected my winnings☺
By the way, I find it funny that Isner only won one match and did not get as far as his seeding predicted he should have, but had his greatest tournament ever. It earned him a lot more respect (and money I would guess) than losing in the round of 32 would have.
As I watched Mahut and got more and more frustrated at this Frenchmen with annoying hair as he continued to hold game after game and his ace tally neared 100, I couldn’t help but wonder: WHO THE HELL IS THIS GUY AND WHERE HAS HE BEEN? I wanted to throw my damn computer out the window (yes, suicide pools do make you feel like you are really playing the match with them). He was not only serving mammoth, but backing it up with great groundies and making it look easy. He also seemed fresh as could be, which made me even more irate! It just shows to me how great and deep the men’s game is and how tough it is to go far in a major.
But as both men continued to battle and leave their hearts and souls on the court, I was glad day three did not end quickly. What a shame it would have been for them to walk out on the court, and have one guy break and the match be over in 5 minutes. How much would it have changed the drama and celebration if they had played 10 points and walked off? At least they got a good hour into it and the drama and tension had an opportunity to be born again and even escalate. I was hoping Isner’s reaction would be as passionate as it was, despite the fact that it was merely a first round match.
But this was NOT merely a first round match. This was WAY WAY more.
I was also thrilled that they decided to keep Mahut on the court (he probably wanted nothing more than to get the hell out of there and into an ice tank!), and honor both with a ceremony. That match and both of them deserved to be treasured and savored. What class, determination, resilience, focus, and heroism both men showed.
I will never witness another match like it as long as I live.
It’s the kind of event that makes you want to sit down and write a blog about tennis.
AD OUT…
BLOG #2: Wimby Reflections 2010 Part I-General Overview
Three major stories stood out for me as I obsessively watched and followed The Men’s Wimbledon championship this year. First and foremost (perhaps because I am a Nadal fanatic and because I feel like my dad and I “discovered” him and he is thus always “our guy”) was Rafa’s winning his second “ French-Wimby double,” and definitively re-asserting himself as number one in the world.
Number two was Fed’s second straight major of not reaching the Semis after making 23 in a row. I look at his 23 SEMIS in a row record as uncatchable as Dimaggio’s 56 game hitting streak in baseball. No one touches either of those.
And of course the third major story was the Isner-Mahut 70-68 in the fifth marathon. In a completely different way, their record is just as amazing as Fed’s, and will go unchallenged forever. It PISSED me off to hear sports fans using this match as a reason as to why they need to play fifth set tie breaks at Wimby as they do in the U.S. Open. First of all, how many matches do you see going 70-68 again in the future? Secondly, if they had played a tie-break, how much would we fans have missed out on? How many non-tennis fans would know John Isner?
But we all know The Maestro, Roger, and even though I have rooted staunchly against him these last 6 years, I can’t help but be in awe with respect and admiration for the guy. I believe I have rooted so passionately against Fed in large part because of my love for Nadal, but also because, as much as I treasure and value true greatness, I was getting bored with his utter dominance. Let’s be honest, after a while you have to root against the Yankees, or the Lakers. Heck, wasn’t one of the pleasures of electing Obama that he wasn’t part of the Bush or Clinton dynasty for God’s sake? Dynasties get old after a while!
But despite my cheering for his demise, I have been in utter amazement of his performance these past 7 years. When I think about how strong and deep the men’s game is, where almost any guy on a the right day can take you down, just how small the margins are, how easy it is to get hurt or have an off day, I am truly amazed by what Roger has done, particularly in majors.
I am going to be BOLD, though. I am announcing right now Fed he NEVER wins another major again and will never get back to number one.
I have learned to never count Fed out, however, and it wouldn’t be the biggest shock of my life to see him again on the final Sunday in New York. I would love nothing more than to see another Roger-Rafa epic on the final day in early September.
How good would that be?
And speaking of as good as it gets, watching Rafa fall to grass in celebration again was extra gratifying for me (as I could tell it was for him), given the year he had last season. It was heart-breaking in 2009 to see him not be able defend his 2008 title and then to witness him struggle all year with his knees. Couple that with the split of his parents, and to me it is a sign of Rafa’s tremendous resilience that he is able to climb to top of the tennis world.
To me, Rafa represents everything great about this sport—tenacity, class, respect for the game and others, unbelievable work ethic, humility, and ridiculous mental and physical toughness. He is an animal. A Beast.
All I need to see to know everything about Rafa is how he plays break points AGAINST him, and how he can recover from his double fault at 5-5 in the second set breaker in the semi’s against Murray. 99 guys out of 100 hang their head there, let the next point slide by and move on to the next set.
Not Rafa. No, instead he plays his strongest point of the entire set, wins it, wins the breaker, crushes Murray’s will, and takes the match in 3 straight sets. I couldn’t help but think of that very point as I teared up while I watched him clutch that trophy again.
How he played that next point after his double means everything.
That one point is tennis. That point is sports. Okay…hell, I am going to say it: that point is life. We all double fault at a big moment in the second set tiebreaker. We’re human, we just do. The question is simply: what do we do next? Tank the rest of the breaker and lose the match. Cry and blame our coach or the wind?
Or..just maybe..crank a gutsy wide forehand and follow it up with a backhand cross-court volley winner?
That’s what Rafa did.
Wow.
AD OUT…
Number two was Fed’s second straight major of not reaching the Semis after making 23 in a row. I look at his 23 SEMIS in a row record as uncatchable as Dimaggio’s 56 game hitting streak in baseball. No one touches either of those.
And of course the third major story was the Isner-Mahut 70-68 in the fifth marathon. In a completely different way, their record is just as amazing as Fed’s, and will go unchallenged forever. It PISSED me off to hear sports fans using this match as a reason as to why they need to play fifth set tie breaks at Wimby as they do in the U.S. Open. First of all, how many matches do you see going 70-68 again in the future? Secondly, if they had played a tie-break, how much would we fans have missed out on? How many non-tennis fans would know John Isner?
But we all know The Maestro, Roger, and even though I have rooted staunchly against him these last 6 years, I can’t help but be in awe with respect and admiration for the guy. I believe I have rooted so passionately against Fed in large part because of my love for Nadal, but also because, as much as I treasure and value true greatness, I was getting bored with his utter dominance. Let’s be honest, after a while you have to root against the Yankees, or the Lakers. Heck, wasn’t one of the pleasures of electing Obama that he wasn’t part of the Bush or Clinton dynasty for God’s sake? Dynasties get old after a while!
But despite my cheering for his demise, I have been in utter amazement of his performance these past 7 years. When I think about how strong and deep the men’s game is, where almost any guy on a the right day can take you down, just how small the margins are, how easy it is to get hurt or have an off day, I am truly amazed by what Roger has done, particularly in majors.
I am going to be BOLD, though. I am announcing right now Fed he NEVER wins another major again and will never get back to number one.
I have learned to never count Fed out, however, and it wouldn’t be the biggest shock of my life to see him again on the final Sunday in New York. I would love nothing more than to see another Roger-Rafa epic on the final day in early September.
How good would that be?
And speaking of as good as it gets, watching Rafa fall to grass in celebration again was extra gratifying for me (as I could tell it was for him), given the year he had last season. It was heart-breaking in 2009 to see him not be able defend his 2008 title and then to witness him struggle all year with his knees. Couple that with the split of his parents, and to me it is a sign of Rafa’s tremendous resilience that he is able to climb to top of the tennis world.
To me, Rafa represents everything great about this sport—tenacity, class, respect for the game and others, unbelievable work ethic, humility, and ridiculous mental and physical toughness. He is an animal. A Beast.
All I need to see to know everything about Rafa is how he plays break points AGAINST him, and how he can recover from his double fault at 5-5 in the second set breaker in the semi’s against Murray. 99 guys out of 100 hang their head there, let the next point slide by and move on to the next set.
Not Rafa. No, instead he plays his strongest point of the entire set, wins it, wins the breaker, crushes Murray’s will, and takes the match in 3 straight sets. I couldn’t help but think of that very point as I teared up while I watched him clutch that trophy again.
How he played that next point after his double means everything.
That one point is tennis. That point is sports. Okay…hell, I am going to say it: that point is life. We all double fault at a big moment in the second set tiebreaker. We’re human, we just do. The question is simply: what do we do next? Tank the rest of the breaker and lose the match. Cry and blame our coach or the wind?
Or..just maybe..crank a gutsy wide forehand and follow it up with a backhand cross-court volley winner?
That’s what Rafa did.
Wow.
AD OUT…
BLOG #1: Who the hell am I, and what is this blog for?
My name is Jake Willens, I am 32 years old, I live in Culver City, CA with my wife Jennie, 7 month old daughter Grace, yellow Lab Kona, and I am a TENNIS-AHOLIC. That’s right, I am powerless over my love for and obsession with tennis, and I may need a 12 step group to bring back my sanity.
Or perhaps this blog will provide a healthy outlet for my crazy tennis mind?
Jennie jokes that 4 times a year (the majors) when I have Direct TV’s 7 channels running in conjunction with ESPN 360’s live feed from our computer, I act like our daughter when she is playing with her rubber duckies in the bathtub. That’s how into I get.
It is kind of sick.
How did I get here? Well, I grew up on the west side of Los Angeles in a family where tennis was ingrained in our blood. My father and mother were professional players (actually my mom was in the top 10 in the world, but much to our dismay before women were even paid), and my two older sisters were college tennis players. My father’s two best friends are college tennis coaches, so one could say I was mildly surrounded by tennis. I couldn’t escape.
It was surprising then, when at age 12 after I had won several junior tennis tournaments and looked to have a bright future in the sport, I chose to focus instead on baseball. I went on to play baseball at Stanford (where my mom and sister had played tennis). I couldn’t escape tennis even there, though, as I lived in SAE, the frat with all of the tennis team, and I even wrote the men’s tennis beat for our school newspaper. We were #1 in the country both in tennis and in baseball when I was there, so I know a little bit about what it takes to play at a high level.
I also learned a ton about that from my grandfather, Frankie Albert, who was a great left-handed quarterback for Stanford University and the San Francisco 49ers. He also went on to coach the 9ers.
Do you get the idea that I have kind of been surrounded by sports my whole life?
It was only when I was well out of college and into my English teaching career at Brentwood School in Los Angeles that I fell back in love with tennis. It began slowly in 2004 when my dad told me about this Spanish clay courter he’d seen in a satellite tourni in Argentina. My dad said, watch out, this guy is for real. The kid’s name was Rafael Nadal. I started following his progress, and my love for men’s tennis continued to rise as fast as his ranking did.
That love became so strong that when I woke up the Monday after Wimbledon recently with tennis withdrawl and wanting someone to talk to about it, I knew I had to do something. Originally, my idea was to write a tennis book that would require much traveling, but I figured I want to do something before I retire in about 40 years (that is if I ever retire on a teacher’s salary)! So, this blog was born.
What is the purpose of this blog? Well, all blogs are about communicating, aren’t they? This one will hopefully allow us to communicate about tennis, and sports in general, and yes, even life lessons learned there. Let’s create a Center Court where tennis and sports lovers can read about and respond to issues both between and outside the white lines. I hope to make the appeal compelling enough, and broad enough, that all people who enjoy sports (and perhaps even a few who don’t) can sit up and say, “hey, yeah, totally!” Or even, “what, no way, dude.”
And when all is said and done, maybe you’ll even agree with me that tennis the greatest sport in the world and the one that teaches us the most life lessons.
This is what I do every day with my Middle School students; we try to find the lessons for all of us in Shakespeare or Mark Twain or Langston Hughes.
Why not Nadal and Federer?
Let’s serve ‘em up.
AD OUT…
Or perhaps this blog will provide a healthy outlet for my crazy tennis mind?
Jennie jokes that 4 times a year (the majors) when I have Direct TV’s 7 channels running in conjunction with ESPN 360’s live feed from our computer, I act like our daughter when she is playing with her rubber duckies in the bathtub. That’s how into I get.
It is kind of sick.
How did I get here? Well, I grew up on the west side of Los Angeles in a family where tennis was ingrained in our blood. My father and mother were professional players (actually my mom was in the top 10 in the world, but much to our dismay before women were even paid), and my two older sisters were college tennis players. My father’s two best friends are college tennis coaches, so one could say I was mildly surrounded by tennis. I couldn’t escape.
It was surprising then, when at age 12 after I had won several junior tennis tournaments and looked to have a bright future in the sport, I chose to focus instead on baseball. I went on to play baseball at Stanford (where my mom and sister had played tennis). I couldn’t escape tennis even there, though, as I lived in SAE, the frat with all of the tennis team, and I even wrote the men’s tennis beat for our school newspaper. We were #1 in the country both in tennis and in baseball when I was there, so I know a little bit about what it takes to play at a high level.
I also learned a ton about that from my grandfather, Frankie Albert, who was a great left-handed quarterback for Stanford University and the San Francisco 49ers. He also went on to coach the 9ers.
Do you get the idea that I have kind of been surrounded by sports my whole life?
It was only when I was well out of college and into my English teaching career at Brentwood School in Los Angeles that I fell back in love with tennis. It began slowly in 2004 when my dad told me about this Spanish clay courter he’d seen in a satellite tourni in Argentina. My dad said, watch out, this guy is for real. The kid’s name was Rafael Nadal. I started following his progress, and my love for men’s tennis continued to rise as fast as his ranking did.
That love became so strong that when I woke up the Monday after Wimbledon recently with tennis withdrawl and wanting someone to talk to about it, I knew I had to do something. Originally, my idea was to write a tennis book that would require much traveling, but I figured I want to do something before I retire in about 40 years (that is if I ever retire on a teacher’s salary)! So, this blog was born.
What is the purpose of this blog? Well, all blogs are about communicating, aren’t they? This one will hopefully allow us to communicate about tennis, and sports in general, and yes, even life lessons learned there. Let’s create a Center Court where tennis and sports lovers can read about and respond to issues both between and outside the white lines. I hope to make the appeal compelling enough, and broad enough, that all people who enjoy sports (and perhaps even a few who don’t) can sit up and say, “hey, yeah, totally!” Or even, “what, no way, dude.”
And when all is said and done, maybe you’ll even agree with me that tennis the greatest sport in the world and the one that teaches us the most life lessons.
This is what I do every day with my Middle School students; we try to find the lessons for all of us in Shakespeare or Mark Twain or Langston Hughes.
Why not Nadal and Federer?
Let’s serve ‘em up.
AD OUT…
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