That is the question: "Are you a Tennis Player, or just someone who happens to play
tennis?"
Oh yes! There is a difference. A
person who “plays tennis,” plays to keep from losing. A “tennis player” plays to win, and knows how
to win.
A “Tennis Player” plans their match. They have a goal and purpose in mind when they
accompany their opponent onto the tennis courts.
A person who just “plays tennis,” in doubles, looks to team
with a person with whom they are likely to win; but, even if they lose, those
who “just play tennis” to have fun, and get some exercise, never experience the
“agony of defeat.” Everybody wins in
their match ups, they just switch partners.
Whether playing singles or doubles, a “Tennis Player” is
constantly looking to raise their skill level, never satisfied with a
loss. A “Tennis Player” wants a
rematch. And, they want it as soon as
possible. After a loss, the “Tennis
Player” is back to the backboard to work on their strokes, and to think about
what went wrong.
The “Tennis Player” who loses asks themselves after the
match: “What did they miss in evaluating their opponent in the warm-up?”
A “Tennis Player’s” match starts long before they take the
court. They check their appearance, their equipment, their grip wrappings, water
supply, headwear, sun glasses and their cheat sheet—just a written reminder
[kept in their racquet cover] to look over during the cross over, just in case
things are not going their way.
When warming up a “Tennis Player” is scouting. They are checking the wind conditions, the
position of the sun, and whether their opponents are right handed or left
handed, and who is the better player?
By noticing where their opponents stands, relative to the
court’s center, they can often surmise whether their opponents prefer to hit
one shot or another, and whether their opponent has more confidence in their
forehand or backhand.
Now, you be the judge!
“Are you a “Tennis Player,” or do you just “Play Tennis.”
C Daniel A. Young, Sr. 2016
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