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Whoever said, “it’s not whether you win or lose that counts’, probably lost.”
MARTINA NAVRATILOVA.
The great champions don’t hide when they lose: they go out to the practice court and pledge never to let it happen again.”
JOHN LLOYD.
“People don’t seem to understand that it is a damn war out there.”
JIMMY CONNORS.
“Ask Nureyev to stop dancing, ask Sinatra to stop singing – then you can ask me to stop playing tennis.”
BILLIE JEAN KING.
I was always a believer in stamping on my opponent if I got him down, at Wimbledon or anywhere else. I never wanted to give him the chance to get up.”
FRED PERRY.
It takes far more than just hitting a ball to be the very best and to reach your own highest point, not only in sports but in life.”
NICK BOLLITIERI.
If you can meet with both triumph and disaster and treat these two impostors just the same….”
RUDYARD KIPLING from the poem ‘IF’ (Inscribed on the gates of Wimbledon).
“…there is no such thing as a draw or even a tie in tennis. It is a fight to the death; no prisoners are taken and time is irrelevant. A player can lead 6-0,6-0,5-0,40-love and still end up a loser if he lacks the nerve to go through with the business of winning; if he does not possess the matador’s courage to go in over the horns for the kill.”
RICHARD EVANS from McEnroe – a Rage for Perfection.
Take a look at the profile of champions from the past 20 years starting with Rod Laver the two time Grand Slam winner, Rosewall, Connors, Borg, McEnroe, Sampras, Agassi and more recently Nadal and the hot favorite today Roger Federer.
Each of them played tennis a different way, played tennis with differing techniques and temperaments. Each champion brought refreshing freshness to the game and their own charisma to the court. Put the physical and technical characteristics aside and look at the mental attributes they brought onto the court and you will always find a common thread running through them. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe, this is true of a champion from any era.
COMMITMENT
THE
CHAMPION has an unflinching commitment to himself,
family, coaches, supporters and the
sport.
DISCIPLINE
AND WORK ETHIC
THE
CHAMPION has a disciplined and goal oriented approach to
practice and match play. He will not make excuses and
compromise on his work ethic.
FAIRPLAY
THE
CHAMPION is well behaved, dignified in both victory and
defeat and will play by the rules. He will give no
quarter and ask for none.
RESILIENCE
When
the going gets tough THE CHAMPION will get going. He
will dig deep and find a way to stay, fight and
win.
ADAPTABILITY
THE
CHAMPION can adapt and change to different environments
and circumstances quickly and deal with them
effectively.
RUTHLESSNESS
THE
CHAMPION will go all out to stay in control, crush the
opponent and get the job done
quickly.
LOVE
FOR THE SPORT
THE
CHAMPION is passionate and has an undying love for the
sport.
DESIRE
TO EXCEL
THE
CHAMPION has a great desire to excel and be the best he
can be. He knows that success and improvement has no
limitations.
Do you have these qualities in you?
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