Our egos are hard to overcome. As athletes we seem to remember what we once were at the highest point in our careers. Then we have the setbacks of injuries, illnesses or surgeries. In the infancy of our comeback we set our expectations very high. When we don't achieve those high expectations, we are disappointed...sometimes to a point of devastation. Devastation may be a strong stated emotion, but having experienced a feeling of devastation after one of my many comeback attempts, I can say with certainty that it hurts...badly.
Phil is two weeks into his singles comeback after his knee replacement. Last week he lost in the semis to a player he has never lost to. He lost in 3 sets. He was very disappointed to say the least. His biggest take away from the match was that he felt he played nervously, not hitting out on the ball confidently. He is also having toss issues on his serve. In my opinion, those are two classic symptoms of not having played competitively in almost two years.
Before he started back playing we talked about how he would have to ease into playing again, and to check his ego at the door. There are not many players that Phil has lost to in years past. But there is a good chance that he might, in his comeback, lose to a few. We also discussed that he should take something positive away from each match, and to use each match, each tournament as a barometer of where he is and what he needs to improve on.
This week Phil lost in the finals of his second tournament, and lost to the same player he lost to last week. The match was closer in score this week. There were some flaws in his game, but overall I saw a huge improvement. There were many friends and playing peers watching Phil play, some had not seen him play since his return. Many sent texts, voicemails and emails expressing their delight in seeing Phil back on the court again. They also commented on how well he was playing and moving on the court so soon after his surgery. Phil's perspective was so different that what we all saw as spectators. He felt like he played the worst he's ever played, and he was embarrassed by his performance on the court. I know that for about 24 hours it's best to let him be. He needs to let it all sink in and let go of the disappointment of losing.
Today we have been replaying some of the good, bad and the ugly. He has lightened his attitude. Now he is getting back in the ring and playing both singles and doubles in the category ll national at Sterling Oaks next week. Pretty good for someone who was giving up tennis yesterday.
Nobody feels his pain more than I do. But I also see things that I think will help him on his journey back. I know he will work hard this week on his physical game...continuing to practice hard and do all it takes to gain the physical confidence he needs to return to his championship style of play. My request is that he puts his ego and emotions to the side and put forth a championship style of carrying himself in a confident, self assured way through every point, every game and every set. Negativity on the court shows a mental weakness to the opponent and they will feed off of it. Body language, on and off the court, says a lot about your feelings and emotions.
I've seen Phil play and carry himself like a champion in years past. He is champion for a reason. From this point forward he will start believing he can win by playing aggressively with conviction and intensity.
Phil's two week trial is over.
No comments:
Post a Comment