2006 Austria Cup
Second to the Aussies
April 22
We came up just a little short today against the strong,
top seeded Aussies. It has been a great run and we feel no shame in being runners up to such a fine team. We had
an auspicious beginning when Cheney dropped the first set 6-1 to Max Bates. Bates had beaten Brian in Perth in
last year’s Cup matches on the grass. I didn’t think that Max would be able to repeat that kind of effort on the
hard courts, Brian’s best surface. Superior competitor that Brian is, after going down 0-2 in the second set, he
ran six games to take the second. In the meantime, I was waiting and waiting. It was about 90 degrees and I was
going for a run, doing dynamic exercises, eating every hour, stretching and sitting. The third set was a see saw
battle that took another hour and Bates pulled it out with a service break at 5-6 to win it 6-1, 2-6, 7-5.
The pressure fell on me to come up with a win against Andrew Rae. I felt relaxed. I can’t honestly say I felt
confident. I knew that I could compete with Andrew but, going into the day, thought that Brian would win and the
pressure would be on Andrew. This is the way it is in Cup matches. A one match to none lead helps one of the players
play without any major pressure of elimination. We were both playing cautiously at the beginning of the match while
fighting a fierce wind. In fact, through the first 10 games neither of us won a game playing into the wind. At
5-5 Andrew managed to hold his serve on the bad side and I now had to do the same. I made the classic mistake of
thinking ahead a bit and letting myself know that a tiebreak was on the horizon. In a flash I was down love 40,
triple set point. I fought back to 30-40 with a couple of good serves but couldn’t convert the next point and lost
the set. In the second Andrew made me work extra hard for each point, moving me side to side. I couldn’t do much
more than neutralize and was unable to push myself to get up to the net, even though what I was doing wasn’t working.
He went up a service break early and I started to lose my legs. Tommy Connell was sitting on the court with me
and encouraging me to get to the net but I was stubborn and stayed with a losing strategy. I kept believing that
I was going to turn things around playing my style because that is what I have managed to do in the past. I was
wrong. Andrew closed me out 6-2 in the second set and that was it. The Aussies had won it again. I sat on the side
of the court with Andrew, who is a good friend, and we talked of the difficult conditions. Brian came out and reminded
us “no whining.” We all played hard. We gave our best. None of us ever quit. We drove our bodies to the extreme.
I am proud of how I represented the USA in this extraordinary event.
When an event is over my body just starts to give out. I feel exhausted. I feel like I need a break from tennis.
I want to just and chill out and that is what I will do for the next day before returning home. Of course, at the
medal ceremony my friends from Spain, France and England reminded me that we will be at it again in June in Monte
Carlo when we compete again, this time on the red clay. And we all talked of working hard all year to make the
Cup team for 2007 when the matches will be in Antalya, Turkey. So after a couple of days of rest and a long flight
home I will be back out there, tweaking my game, working on making adjustments when things aren’t working and,
of course, getting back in the gym. This was just one event of many more that I hope to play. It was the most important
until it ended and now it is in the past. A wonderful memory. An outstanding trip. Quality time with some of
the finest men that I know. We all learn from each other and will use what we learned to try to defeat them in
the future.
Thanks to all of you for following along. Thank you for the wishes for speedy recovery from my injury and,
I am sure, that is a big reason that I was able to get out there and play. Your kind wishes for success were meaningful
and I shared them with the team every day. Stay tuned for the Columbus Cup coming up in June.
Yes
Into the Finals
April 21
Today was the day that the pressure kicked in for the remaining
teams. Coming all of this distance and not getting a chance to play in the finals is not a very good feeling, especially
once we advance to the semis. Nobody wants to go home with the dirty gold, which is what the 3rd place medal is
called. Even the very best players here feel the weight of these matches.
Brian Cheney, who has played on at least 15 Cup teams over the years almost fell victim to nerves at #2. Instead
of playing Jairo Velasco, the regular #2 from Spain, he played an alternate. Jairo had pulled a groin muscle earlier
in the week and decided that he would do better to wait for the doubles, if the match was even a 1-1 after the
singles. Brian was a huge favorite and after he won the first set easily I went to warm up for my match. When I
came back after 15 minutes, Brian was down in the second set. He lost the set and then won a tight 3rd set, thank
goodness. In the meantime I was a bit fouled up with my preparation. I didn’t know if and when to eat, how much
to stretch and so forth. I managed to get all of my preparation in and started my match against rival and World
#1, Jorge Camina. He was awesome today. I played a very solid first set, with points lasting 10-20 shots over and
over again as we both stayed on the baseline and tried to outlast each other. He found the way to draw me in and
then would pass or lob. He made one error in the set and beat me 6-2. I couldn’t get down. I started the second
set down 0-2 and was sucking wind after every point. It was 90 degrees and I was doing a lot of work to just stay
in the points. I adjusted my tactics somewhat and started to attack more. The danger in this is that I was increasing
my error count by taking more risk. It definitely paid off more that just grinding out points but it was not quite
enough to take down Camina. I lost the second set 7-5. I played well. Not my best but that is the way it is sometimes
and I tip my hat to Jorge.
Our chance to make it to the finals was going to coming down to the doubles. I know that I wanted to play
for the clinching point but it was up to Cheney, who is are team captain. He came on the court as I was packing
up my racket bag and said, “how much time do you need to get ready for the doubles?” I had just completed a tough
two hour grind and I felt depleted but knew that I had to get out there again for the team. After a quick shower
and a little food, Brian and I started our match against Camina and Velasco. They had beaten our US team in the
deciding match two years ago in Philly in the finals while Brian and I were on the sideline. We were determined
and confident. It was incredibly windy when we started and I served the first game. We made four terrible errors
in a row struggling with the conditions and were, in a flash, behind. We hung tough and managed to take a 5-3 lead.
I had the opportunity to serve out the set and played a strong game to close it out 6-3. The second set was more
of the same. Brian and I were clicking like clockwork but so were the Spaniards. We broke Velasco’s serve at 4-4
and, once again, I was up to serve. In all of the years I have played I have never been in a team match where we
were facing elimination. Obviously I have never had to serve it out. I remembered other matches where I hoped my
opponents would play badly or my partner would step up in the big moments. This was one of my biggest moments.
I served our the match with the loss of one point and we were through to the finals. Teammates Bouquin and Connell
were all over us with excitement.
Tomorrow we play the top seeded Aussies who defeated the French today. I will play Andrew Rae. He is a legend
who just moved up to our age group. He has won eight World Championships. In 2002 I lost to him badly in the finals
of the Worlds. This time will be different. I know that I can compete with him and that will be my mantra. Compete
for every point. Go USA!
Into the Semis
April 20
Beautiful blue skies today as we arrive at a new site, Durban
North Club, to play our match against Norway. They would be our toughest opponents of the first three days. Regardless,
we were all feeling very relaxed and had a good warmup. Each day our team gets to use the court for a 30 minute
warmup, followed by our opponents using the same court for their warmup. It is a little strange to cool down before
playing but that is the way it is. I use the time to do additional dynamic flexibility stuff, skipping, jumping
jacks, triple heaters, mountain climbs, gate swings, etc.
Brian started us off at #2 and took a little while to find his rhythm but managed to get a win, 6-2, 6-2.
I was psyched to get out and clinch today’s match with a singles win at #1. I felt very good, was moving laterally
really well considering how I felt three days ago. My opponent was a lefty so I knew that I would be challenged
to move to my right early and often as he would be hitting short cross court slices. When I scouted him yesterday
I noticed that he likes the drop shot as well. This would be a good test for my physical state. I played confidently,
relaxed and happy. I could tell early on that all I needed to do was to keep him out there for long rallies and
he would melt. My fitness was much better than his, thanks to all of the work that I did over the last few months.
I won the first set 6-2. He had a tough serve and a big forehand but I was up to the task. When the second set
started I decided that I would make no errors for the set. This is a lack of focus and, even though I made no errors
through the first three games, this lack of respect for my opponent cost me the fourth game when I was serving.
I reeled my brain back in and decided to compete hard for every single point. By getting more focused I stopped
concerning myself with the outcome of each point and just did what it took to play my best. End of story, I won
the second set 6-1. It was a good clean match. Bouquin and Connell had a bit of a tough doubles match but pulled
it out so the USA ended up sweeping all of our matches for the first three rounds without the loss of a set.
As expected, the semifinals will be USA vs. Spain and Australia vs. France. The games truly begin tomorrow.
Cheney will be up against Jairo Velasco, who he has played several times and they are very evenly matched. The
last time we played Spain was in Philly in 2004 in the finals. Brian lost a close one to Velasco that day. On the
same day I upset the current #1 in the World, Jorge Camina, my opponent for tomorrow. All four players know it
will be a battle and you can be sure, we are all ready. Camina is crafty and experienced. He has been talking about
payback for our last match all week. I am fast and fit and mentally tough. I will fight for every single point
as if the fate of the Universe depends on my effort. Nothing more. Nothing less.
If we split the singles, Cheney will play doubles with me or Connell, depending on how tough my singles match
turns out to be. Whatever is best for the team. Cheney is our most experienced and most successful player in Cup
matches. I have won many big matches. Connell is playing Cup matches for the first time. Whatever we decide will
be fine with me. Of course I will want to be on the court but will do whatever it takes to help the team win.
Tonight there will be huge banquet for all of participants of all of the age groups. We will party and enjoy
each other’s company and then, tomorrow, compete for spots in the finals. All of the USA teams have advanced to
the medal round and I am proud of all of the younger players who have worked and played hard.
Another USA Victory
4/19
As soon as the alarm went off this morning I knew that things
had taken a positive turn for me. All of the various treatments from yesterday had paid off and my strained muscle
felt a bit better. I felt more bruised than anything else. I was definitely looser and had very little pain. I
announced at breakfast that I felt ready and eager to play. Regardless, I knew that skipping one more day would
be a good idea, so I suggested that Cheney move up to #1 and Connell to #2 and, depending on a little warmup, if
I didn’t have any “niggles,” I would play the doubles with Bouquin. My warmup felt fine, no niggles. I felt really
excited that I had managed to turn this thing around in 48 hours.
Connell did great in his first ever singles match for the team, winning against the Swiss player in straight
sets. In International team competition a teammate can sit on the court and coach the player during changeovers,
which I did with him. Regardless of the fact that he is a top flight player, the pressure of playing for the team
can be overwhelming so I kept reminding him to stay focused and to maintain intensity throughout, which he did.
I am proud of his effort and happy that he scored our first team point of the day. Cheney was money in the bank
playing #1 and clinched our victory for today. The doubles was no pressure except for our desire to win even though
we didn’t need the win to continue our quest for the Cup.
When I walked on the court for the match I was incredibly excited and happy. Yesterday I had my doubts about
playing at all for the remainder of the week. I was acting like Rafael Nadal on the court, constantly moving my
feet. My energy was over the top. The first ball that was hit to me pulled me out very wide to my left and I ripped
a forehand winner service return and I could feel the huge smile on my face. I knew that many of the other players
were watching to see if I was back in form and, from that moment on, I played some of my best doubles. There were
one of two instances that I didn’t run hard for a ball because it just wasn’t necessary. For me that is difficult
to do because I tend to run for everything, even balls that are out. It was nice to know that I could override
my instinct and do the smart thing while feeling so pumped. Bouquin played great and, even though we had never
played together as a doubles team, we won 6-0, 6-2. After we finished I hit for another 20 minutes of singles,
felt pretty good moving side to side and, now, feel certain that I will get out there tomorrow against Norway
and be back in the #1 spot.
We celebrated our victory today with a team swim in the glorious Indian Ocean. All of the American teams have
been winning and it appears that barring any upsets tomorrow all ten teams (Men and Women 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55)
will advance to the semifinals in their respective tournaments.
I am relieved, happy, excited and can’t wait to get out there tomorrow, doing what I love: competing and playing
for the USA.
Rain out
April 18
Went to sleep last night positive that I would feel fine
in the morning and ready to play against the Swiss. I woke up and, much to my dismay, I felt worse than when I
went to sleep. At breakfast I announced to the team that I would be sitting out of today’s match, putting Cheney
at #1 and moving Tommy Connell, a first time cup player into the opening match at #2. I wish that I could say that
it was a tough decision but I knew that playing today would set me back and maybe take me out for more days. My
plan was to test it out a little when we arrived at the courts just to see what kind of progress I would need to
make over the next day or two. By the time we arrived it was raining. By 10AM the matches were canceled for the
day and I was relieved.
One of the members of the host club made arrangements for me to see a physiotherapist in Umhlanga, a suburb
of Durban, took me there, waited for me and then brought me back to the hotel. The people here are so accommodating,
not too different than those that we encountered last year in Perth. The therapist was very good, checked me out,
did some deep tissue massage, ultra sound and showed me a few stretches. When I asked her how bad she thought my
pull was she told me it was a “2.” I thought that was great until she told me that was on a 1-3 scale. I definitely
felt some improvement when she was done and when I asked whether or not I would be able to play tomorrow she said,
“you will know when you get up. If you get out to hit and it niggles, you shouldn’t play.” Not knowing what niggles
means, I will just have to trust my sense of what I should do. Again, I must remember that I need to be at my best
for Friday and Saturday....that the team can win tomorrow and even Thursday without me. It is frustrating to think
of how hard I have trained and then to be, at least, temporarily on the shelf. I will continue to visualize the
fibers in my muscle reconnecting and blood flowing through them with good healing. I am stretching every hour and
fighting to get back to 100%. Thanks for all of your recommendations and support.
Match 1 vs Turkey
April 17
Great opening day for the team, possibly tough day for me.
Up early for 7AM breakfast, with an 8AM bus to the courts. Today we played at Prospect Park Tennis Club. We arrive
at the courts and get to play for about thirty minutes, from 8:30-9, after which the Turkish team gets to hit from
9-9:30 while we hang out and wait. Our #2 singles player, Brian Cheney, plays the opening match and wins easily.
While he is playing I watch and wait. It was very chilly, damp and windy. Playing #1 I am on the second match on
and start off playing great. My opponent is struggling to stay in points with me and I am playing like a defending
World Champion should play. Then, at 2-0, 40 love, I rush to the net to put away a volley and feel a muscle pull
in my groin. I miss the volley and in the next point try to run to my right for a ball and have to pull up lame.
I can’t believe it. I finish the game to go up 3-0 and sit down on the changeover. Pop a couple of Advil and get
a wrap for my leg and manage to hide what is going on from my opponent as I win 6-0. He starts to get a clue to
make me move side to side and, before I know it I am in a battle. He is serving at 1-2 in the second set and we
have a very long game in which he is winning points that are long rallies and I am winning the short points. I
know that I need to go for winners early, which is not my style. (Well, it is my style when I am playing badly.)
I pull that game out and close out the set 6-2 for the clinching win for our team. That, of course, felt great.
I had given the team what it needed to stay in the running for the Cup. I sat with ice on during the doubles match
that was won by Bouquin and Connell and took a few more Advil.
After lunch I decided to test it out and we played some doubles. I felt, on a ten scale, about a seven. Then
I played a practice set of singles and felt about the same. Now I am faced with a decision about tomorrow. We are
scheduled to play against Switzerland. Federer doesn’t play for them thankfully. They aren’t that tough and the
team can win with me sitting out, I am sure. Typically I play better tennis progressively when I play more matches
and I need more matches to get ready if we face the Spanish guys on Friday. Cheney, who is the captain of our team,
asked me what I was planning. I told him that I will have to see in the morning. Frankly, I am hoping that it rains
so that I can take the day off and give the pull time to heal. If the weather is ok I will be faced with a decision.
Get my body better and be stronger for the end of the week or get my game better and be a better play for the end
of the week. I must remember that this is not about my private agenda. It is about doing what is best for the team.
Right now, I just don’t know. I do know that my inner thigh is freezing as I sit here with ice on it. I am figuring
that I will feel fine in the morning and that the pull is not serious. If I wake up and I am less that 90% I will
pass on playing, get to a physiotherapist and keep my fingers crossed for Wednesdays match against Norway.
You never know what life is going to throw at you. I trained so hard for months, am feeling fitter than I
have ever felt and am so excited to play and here I lie with a freaky little muscle pull. I am feeling positive
for there is no other way for me to approach this. Chances are I will be writing about another successful day tomorrow
but right now, this is a bit of a bummer. Stay tuned.
April 16...Opening Ceremonies
Yesterday
was my first full day in Durban and, incredibly, I felt normal after a good night’s sleep. I met up with my teammates
in the morning and we headed out to Westbridge Park, the site of the competition, to practice. It is a large site
with a stadium court and about 30 perimeter courts. The South Africans have done a great job getting it ready by
resurfacing all of the courts, putting new coats of paint all around and planting new flowers. They are being wonderful
hosts to around 600 international players. When we arrived at the park it was like old home week for me. Friends
that I have made over the last six years of playing cup matches were all around. Aussies, Brits, the Irish team,
the French, Croatians, Canadians, Turks, and, of course our arch rivals, the Spanish, among many others were all
there. How amazing that these relationships grow each year. We compete hard against one another and then hang out
and share the experiences of the last year...tennis matches, weddings, injuries, new jobs, vacations, births of
grandchildren, and on and on. We continue to grow up together while we continue to act like kids on the tennis
circuit.
Considering the high level of my teammates’ play, I was pleased with how I played on my first day out. As
I had hoped, I got great input from them in what style of play on which I should be focusing. They all said for
me to play my regular game and not to think too much about it. In a sense they reminded me that my game, as it
is, is good enough. Well that puts to rest my concerns about how to play. Being on the court and playing points
with them showed me that I am playing just fine.
More of the same today with an even better practice session. I am moving well, making good contact with the
ball. taking full swings and thinking clearly while playing. The draw was made today and we are seeded #3 behind
Australia and Spain. We play our first three matches against Turkey, Switzerland and Norway. If, after three days,
we have the best win loss record in our group we will, likely, advance to play Spain. Their #1 player is currently
ranked #1 in the World, having wrestled the ranking from me in October. The team can’t get ahead of ourselves but
we are confident that we will see those guys on Friday.
Opening ceremonies were held this evening with all of the players being welcomed by the South African delegation.
We all wore our team warmups and gathered around each of our country’s flags. What an incredible feeling of pride
to be representing the USA. I am so fortunate to have been given this opportunity. Tomorrow we kick things off
against Turkey. Cheney will play #2 singles in the opening match. I will follow him at #1 singles, with Bouquin
and Connell playing the doubles. As long as we win at least two of the three matches we win the head to head matchup.
I feel rested, relaxed, eager and confident. I have been getting ready for this day since mid January and am happy
it is finally here.
April 13 Over the Atlantic
I tend to get a little more nervous as I get closer to playing
a match for the USA. When I am playing a tournament for myself there is much less pressure. This week, every match
that I play will contribute to the team’s final placement in the World Team Championships. My wins and losses are
team wins and losses.
There are a couple of tricky challenges in store for me as
I head to South Africa. I need to step off the plane, get a good night’s sleep and be on the court practicing Saturday
morning, not an easy task with a six hour time change. While traveling I will visualize myself on the court feeling
awake, alert, energized and focused. I need to, immediately, get comfortable playing on outdoor fast hard courts
in spite of getting only three days outdoors this week. I can’t say that I feel great yet but, that being said,
I am totally optimistic that as soon as I feel the vibe of the team event, with all of the international players
wearing their colors, I will forget my concerns and be totally into the ball. No doubt in my mind. My final and
biggest challenge is to, by Monday’s opening matches, get clear on what style game I am going to be playing. When
playing on the grass there is no question about what I am going to do. Serve and volley. Chip returns and pass
or lob. On clay I know that I am going to stay back, run down lots of balls, keep my shots deep and look for a
short ball to attack. The hard courts, though, present more options. Serve and volley, grind it out from the baseline,
sneak in behind forcing shots, play aggressively early in the point, attack, defend. I have been experimenting
and, for the most part, I have decided on grinding it out until I get a short ball and then, bam, put the pressure
on and move to the net. I can’t totally decide yet because the speed of the court has a big impact on what I will
be able to execute. On Saturday and Sunday I will play and then get feedback and advice from my teammates, Brian
Cheney of Arizona, Tommy Connell of Texas and Joe Bouquin of Florida.
A few final thoughts on my three months of preparation. As much as I loved the workouts at the Professional
Training Center, it wasn’t until I finished my last session last Friday that I realized how much effort it was
taking. I was so relieved, for the moment, that I was finished
with it. It was a huge time commitment and, physically, my body paid for the work every day. I will continue to
do it when I return, regardless, as I feel it has made every muscle in my body healthier. Playing wise I may have
played too many people that were too strong for me. I have always believed that playing people stronger than me
makes me stronger. I still believe that. It is also important that I play against opponents that are the same and
weaker than me, to test out what I am working on and to build confidence. This time around I won very few practice
sets. This may be why I feel a little more uncertain that I have in the past. Only time will tell. Of course, I
want to thank Adrian, Elvis, Daniel, Janacek, the Jebsens, Zach Weiss, Kristin, Joel, Malinow and Kyle for fighting
for every point against me. Each of you pushed me and made me stronger.
The flight has been a challenge. A 17 hour flight to Durban
through Dakar and Johannesburg was preceded by a two hour delay at JFK. I have been trying to get on South African
time from the moment I boarded the plane, sleeping right away even though it was only 7 PM New York time. I have,
ritualistically, been doing stretches in my seat at least every 30 minutes and going for walks every 90 minutes
to avoid the inevitable stiffness of a long, long cramped ride.
As I am writing we are flying over Pretoria in the south central part of the continent. Once again I am reminded
of how lucky I am to have chosen tennis competition as my hobby. Through it I continue to expand my capacity both
as a player and a person. It leads to me places where I might never have gone.
April 2 Two Weeks to Opening Ceremonies
The other day somebody asked me if I was ready to go. Not yet. I am
coming into the home stretch of preparing and things are about to get more intense. I spent part of last weekend
watching Federer, first playing Blake and then playing Lubicic. He provided me with all of the visuals that I need
to start visualizing how I am going to play on the outdoor fast hard courts of Durban. His movement to the ball,
his confidence in staying in the point while playing within himself, , his preparation and positioning, his upper
body stillness while moving and hitting and his shot selections are perfect instructional tapes. We have a large
mirror on the wall adjacent to the television and I often watch Federer playing in the mirror...he plays as a lefty...and
I see how I would like to play. These images become what I see in my mind while I am meditating every morning.
The more clearly I see what I want the more I play in that way.
I have continued to train with Tom at the fitness center and am happy with the way I have improved in the
physical challenges that he throws at me. I am running faster, jumping higher, skipping farther, moving more explosively,
doing more squats and lifting more weight. Will that translate into better tennis? I don?t know. Last week I had
my doubts in that I was overhitting against whomever I was playing. I was making lots of errors. I was convinced
that I was actually too strong or that my quicker movement through the stroke was making me miss. Turns out my
misses were mostly mental errors. and I am confident that my new level of fitness will help me. I am certain that
I will have much more energy late in matches...and I am sure that I am a better all around athlete than I have
ever been.
I have been practicing on court quite a bit over the last two weeks
and had been concerned about the increase in my error count on basic point development shots. I was confused, thinking
it was the training or that my rackets were strung too loosely. It started to dawn on me that, in my excitement
to play at my absolute best in my effort to help the team win the Cup, I was overly aroused. I wanted to hit every
ball too big and too close to the lines. The seed of this awareness came completely to my consciousness as a result
of two players that I engaged with this week. One, Daniel Montes de Oca, is a 42 year old player, originally from
Uruguay , who is, arguably the finest 40 and over player in the USA. We have known each other for some time but
had never played until last week when I got him to practice with me. He is known for his consistency. As he was
easily handling me in the first set I could see how he counted on my tendency to overhit and try to make too good
a shot. Even if I made a great one, he would run it down and make me play another, often an error. When we began
the second set I decided that I would do to him what he was doing to me. I extended the rallies significantly by
hitting the ball just a little easier and, lo and behold, opportunities to attack started to pop up. Just like
that I was in the match against him. I held my own pretty well, which felt pretty good. What felt great, though,
was that I rediscovered the basic concept of keep the ball inside the lines.
The second interaction that clearly got me back on track was with TJ Pura, an 11 year old player who is one
of the best in his age group in the East. I went to watch him play a match. I saw TJ, in his best moments, playing
within himself. This is a tough playing concept but one that I have made every effort to make a part of my game
over the last few years. I saw TJ, with a big lead, start to take unnecessary chances and to play shots that were
out of his comfort zone. Overconfidence has a way of making that happen. When he reeled his game in and played
less on the edge, everything started to flow for him. It was the perfect reminder for me. To not play within myself
is to try to be a better player than I am. I must remember that I am at my best when I do the things I am capable
of doing. My best is good enough. If it isn't, then so be it, I have met my match.
Thanks to Daniel and TJ for this week's lesson. By the way, my practice session today was awesome. Very few
errors. The opportunities that I was forcing before were given to me by my opponent who was frustrated by my lack
of errors. Another wonderful piece has now fallen into place. A few more and I will be ready to take on Spain,
France, Australia, Germany, England and more.
First Tournament of the Season
March 26
I was away for a few days last week and had to use lots of self discipline to get to the gym and to get on the
courts. I am too close to the competition to take time off but being away makes sticking to my rituals a bit more
difficult. I thought about this as I was about to bail out on the gym and then remembered that every little battle
that I win makes me a stronger mental competitor and that moves me closer to completing my mission as a player.
Off to the gym and immediately scheduled an on court practice. I left the family on the lounge chairs around the
pool.
First time outdoors and on a hardcourt since last July. Funny that I didn't even realize it until I tried to figure
out why my serve and my read on the ball was off. I finished a first set against one of the 50s Cup players, wondered
what was interfering with me playing up to my current level and it hit me. Outdoors. Hard court. I used to make
such
a big deal about these transitions and adaptations. This time, though, once I realized that the conditions were
unfamiliar, I just reeled my game in a little and had some good success. Frankly, I was a bit surprised that I
split sets. I am often surprised when I compete evenly with players I perceive are better than me. Need to keep
working on
avoiding comparisons with others. I end up falling behind or losing a set before I find out that I can compete.
Not a good move in a 2/3 set match.
I also practiced with good friend and awesome 60s player Charlie Hoevelar. We only played a few games but he taught
me a couple of lessons by the way he played me. Keep the ball in the court and giving points away on errors is
a good way to lose. It may seem obvious but sometimes things need to hit me right between the eyes. Every time
I play there is another piece of the equation that falls into place. It is so important that I always keep my eyes
open for the lesson that is always there. Sometimes it is something brand new and other times it is just a reminder
of
something that I have always known but has slipped off my screen.
Returning to New York I worked out with a nice 16 and under player who was being coached by top junior coach, Adrian
Cirici. I was fortunate to get some helpful tips on my forehand from Adrian. Always something to learn.
This week the tennis industry lost a great voice and friend. Gene Scott, a former Davis Cup player, the publisher
of Tennis Week and a multiple USTA National Champion, died of a rare disease at 68. Gene had double hip replacement
surgery about 7 years ago and recovered to win the World 65 Championships in 2004. He was the rare former tour
player who continued to thrive on competition and put it on the line in USTA tournaments. He was an inspiration.
He was fit, ate well, exercised often and was young for his age. Again, the reminder to live life for today, to
be grateful for what we have and to, daily, remember what really matters.
New Fitness Training
2/26
Feb. 4: The 55 and
over Eastern Sectionals began this weekend and, for the last two weeks, since getting pumped up, I have been eager
to get on the court for some matches. I have totally missed the experiences that I have when competing. They aren’t
always what I want them to be but they never lack in some interesting challenges. Most often tennis is about me
vs. myself. My opponents will be doing what they do and I need to focus on what I am doing. Somebody will win in
the end.
My first match of an Eastern tournament is one that I often go into without too much concern. This is not because
of overconfidence (I will get to that later), but because I haven’t had a tough first round match in many many
years. I am conditioned to go into it without concern. This time, though, because I am so committed to working
towards total, point to point focus to build my mental endurance, I went on the court and treated my opponent like
the best player I will ever have to play. It is a good thing I did because he was up to the task. He played very
tough through the first 6 games and I found myself in a battle. He was serving at 3-2 deuce after just having broken
my serve. We had a point that went on for nearly 30 shots and I was determined that if there was going to be a
miss it wasn’t going to be by me. I won the point and we were both very winded. I have been in enough of these
post long point situations to know that winning that point was important, but more important was who was going
to bounce back better in the next point. I took my time, rested and renewed while keeping an eye on my opponent
who was not doing much to recover. I knew if I won the next point, I would have a chance of breaking his spirit.
Gathered together I played a tough my ad point and won the game to get to 3-3. I won the next 15 points in a row
and I didn’t lose another game in the match. I was glad I focused hard before the match and, especially, after
the long point.
I was a bit tired while playing which makes me think I need to be more conscientious
about what I am eating before the match. I must stay more committed to hydrating. I also will do a bit more leg
strengthening in the gym. I need to be 100% physically there if I am going to help the USA win the Cup this year.
I must also stay aware of protecting every point I play. When I am on a roll, as I was in this match, I start to
think I can make any shot at any time. I start to go for shots that are poor selections. Even if I make them in
these matches, I will pay in the tougher ones. Overconfidence is a challenge that I face. Confidence good. Overconfidence...big
trouble. Low self esteem was, in the past, my biggest challenge to overcome. Now my biggest challenge is overconfidence.
These are two sides of the same coin. This trait is an obstacle to my being able to play at my absolute best. Both
sides have a lot to do with comparing myself to my opponent, something that is often counterproductive. My work
in this area needs to be one of reminding myself what I am a capable of doing on the court. When I know what I
can do I am confident. That is the mental place that allows me to play within myself. That is the place that I
need to be by the time I step off the plane in Durban, South Africa in mid-April.
Feb. 19:I won
the next couple of matches and the tournament while staying on top of my point by point focus. The value of writing
about my game is that it helps keeps my task on my mind and, in this case, was a reminder to monitor my level of
confidence. It is important that I think about these things before I walk on the court or I will continue to do
what I have done in the past. Habits are so ingrained that without conscious effort, over and over again, the old
habits will rule.
Feb. 26: My
main effort in preparation continues to be off court. I have turned myself over to an athletic trainer who has
been working me as hard as I have ever worked. We are focused on agility, explosiveness, balance, efficiency of
movement, doing sprints, rope ladder work, hopping, skipping, plyometrics, one legged squats and more. I am, for
the first time, doing power lifts and other weight work that train me to recruit many muscles at one time, just
like what is required to hit a tennis ball. This is very different than the resistance training I have done up
until now. Making the choice to add this regimen to my training has a lot to do with what I know of Agassi’s concept
of fitness. Make yourself a better all around athlete and your tennis will have to be better.
Each day that I finish these training sessions (and the following day) are painful. I am stiff, sore and tired.
Regardless, I will look forward to the next session because I know that these are just the markers of fitness growth
and without going through this I will, at best, stay the same. That is not acceptable.
Ramping Up for a New Season of Tennis
It has been several months since my 2005 tennis season ended. I have
not played very much. In fact, I have played only 10 sets of singles since the finals of the National Grass in
September. During this time I have had the opportunity to look back on the last few years of competition with much
pride. I worked hard and reaped the rewards. My work going forward has been to figure out how to put it all in
perspective. Winning the World Championships and attaining the #1 World ranking was both good and bad. The good
is obvious. Self satisfaction for work well done. A huge boost to my self esteem as a player and competitior. My
belief in the importance of the “mental game” validated with concrete results. The bad...well, I seemed to have
lost motivation. With external goals being achieved, what was I to shoot for? I couldn’t win a bigger event. I
couldn’t get a higher ranking. I spent time wondering if, maybe, my run in tennis had ended. With nothing to achieve,
why do the work? Understand this was all first time stuff for me. Maybe others who had achieved these successes
had other ways of looking at it, but me, I am a rookie. I had no dream. Nothing that I wanted from the game. So
I waited. I processed. I taught hard for teaching always helps me learn more about my game. I kept on working in
the gym, staying fit with no tennis purpose. I suppose that I was unconsciously preparing so that if the fire in
my belly started to burn again I would still be mentally and physcially fit to anwer the bell. I kept waiting and
watching for a sign.
Then it happened. Last week I got a letter from the USTA telling me that I have been selected to play for the USA
team that would be going to South Africa to compete for the Austria Cup, the 55 and over equivalent of Davis Cup.
There is was, on paper...the message...you are playing for the USA. You have a mission. Well, the next day, I was
shot out of a cannon. My first client of the day had to ask me to tone it down a bit. I was hitting every ball
like I was in the finals. That fire was roaring. I was pumped.Later that day, when I went to the gym, I changed
my routine from going through the motions to hiring a trainer whose job it would be to help me focus my attention
on every repitition from now until I start to compete. By working casually in the gym I have been training myself to work without focus.
Starting last week, every repitition has become an opportunity to strengthen my focus so that when I step off the
plane I will be totally mentally tough. Every time I work a muscle, the repetition and, even the pain, will be
done with joy as I know that it is being done for a greater purpose. I will be ramping up to this event day by
day for the next few months. To be at my best I will work towards having focus every moment of every day. What
a gift to have a reason to challenge myself to get to higher levels of fitness and focus. This is what tennis gives
to me.
As for not having a goal, I realize now, more than ever, that it is not about winning another tournament or achieving
another high ranking. That may or may not happen. The goal is to get the most out of myself. The goal is to prepare
to compete totally. The work that I do to get myself to be at my best physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually
is a process that encompasses me. This work is both the process and the goal. The results will surely follow.
2005 USTA National Mens 55 Grass Court
Championships
Day After the Finals...Gold and Silver...Sept. 18
How could it be, when not so long ago, I was out of my mind thrilled that I made the semis of a National Championships?
How could it be that winning the doubles and being a finalist in the singles would feel like coming up a little
short? One of my tennis buddies wrote me,
I feel a little funny congratulating you on a silver and a gold when I know and you know that we both had gold/gold
expectations.
I feel the same way. It doesn't feel bad. It is just that I had gotten in the habit of winning all of my matches
on the grass. Yesterday was the end of a 39 match grass court run in the United States. I hadn't lost one since
1999. Yesterday, it wasn't about what had happened before. Yesterday, Larry Turville was the better player. He
was tough, making great serves and consistent low returns that I had difficulty getting control of. He beat me
7-6,4-6,6-2. It was only through refusing to give in to his high level of play that kept me from losing in straight
sets. It was an uphill battle from the first game. I was struggling to hold serve and he was winning his easily.
I was struggling with my movement through much of the match due to my body feeling pretty beat up from the semis.
Hey that is the way it goes...conditioning and injuries are part of the game. Frankly I think that he could have
turned it up a notch if I had thrown more at him.
In the third set I was about to serve at 2-5, love 40, triple match point down. I considered, in that moment, how
fortunate I was to be in that situation. I had taken a fall in the semis where I could have been seriously injured
and, yet, here I was playing in the finals. I thought about our brothers and sisters in New Orleans and their plight.
I thought about how, years ago, I would have given so much to just be able to play at this level and to be in the
finals of a tournament. I also knew that a long great run was likely to end. I was not going to go down meekly,
trying to not lose. I fired up one ace. I then hit a non returnable serve. At 30-40 I missed my first serve. What
to do? Just put it in? No way, I went for it. I went for a big kick serve into his forehand and missed it wide.
Double fault. No shame. I went for it. I felt proud that I have gotten to that point in my game. I am not afraid
to lose.
One hour later I was back on the courts for the finals of the doubles. Cheney and I were about to play Turville
and his partner, Neal Newman, who won the World Champs in doubles on grass for the last two years. The four of
us were the Sr. Davis Cup team that played together this past March in Perth. We are close friends. It was great
doubles with great camaraderie. Cheney and I won 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. It was my third consecutive National Grass Doubles
title. It was a milestone victory for me. My 10th National Championship. The ride continues for me.
Next up. The National Hardcourt Championships in November. A week away from the gym and the practice courts and
then back to work.
Semifinals....Sept. 16
Yesterday I was in the zone and everything flowed. There was
no work. I just went along for the ride. It was a special feeling. Today was a different zone, one where I needed
to work for every point. This type of match is much more rewarding. I was forced to face some adversity and I handled
it well, coming up with a win against Cheney 4-6, 6-1, 7-6. We were two players giving their all and giving no
ground. He played well and I was a bit flat in the first set, but I stormed back in the second. I knew that a 6-1
set was not going to knock him out as it might others. He came storming back in the 3rd set after I went up a service
break at 2-2. I created adversity for myself when I started to think ahead, thinking that all I needed to do was
hold serve the rest of the way from 3-2 and I would be ok. Of course at 4-3, with that thought in mind and with
Brian turning up his game, I started to tighten up, started overhitting first serves, missing them and giving Brian
a chance to take advantage of my second serves. He kept the heat on big time. I managed to escape five break points
but I was fortunate. I knew that I needed to break him at 3-5 for the match because serving at 5-4 was going to
be very tough. He played a great game to get it to 5-4. Even though I was ahead he was grabbing the momentum. He
was putting tremendous pressure on, not missing. I played another very tight game, didn’t make many first serves
but still managed to get to my ad, match point. Double fault! On the next point I served and moved in to volley
and let his return go, thinking it was way out...it landed in by about 8 feet. Choking. He wins the game and is
serving at 5-5.
At this point I had a pretty good talk with myself. I told myself that I had blown a pretty good opportunity by
losing control of my mind at 5-4 playing safe. If I was going to lose this match, I told myself, I had better do
it playing to win, not playing safe. I played a great game, going for my serves, loosening up and got myself into
a tiebreaker. I won the first point on his serve and then held my two serves. With him serving at 1-3 I ran hard
for a short ball that I didn’t get to but was running full speed toward the net post. Not thinking I tried to jump
over the net rather than hit the post. I was over but my back foot hit the top of the net and I landed hard on
my left side. I was scared while lying there face down for about 15 seconds. I got up, was ok, took a couple of
minutes and managed to win my two serve points to get to 5-2. He won his points and at 5-4 I served it out. What
a great match. Great effort from both of us.
When we were done we acknowledged to each other what a high class match this was. Then we had lunch together. Then
we went out and kicked some serious butt in the semis of the doubles, beating the #4 seeds 6-2, 6-1.
I am in some discomfort from the fall, having jammed up a couple of ribs and spraining my left wrist. Boyd, the
brilliant physical therapist, worked on me for a while and told me that my ribs would feel not bad or terrible
when I wake up tomorrow. I am figuring that I will be able to go out in the finals tomorrow against 6’9” Larry
Turville and chop him down to size.
Round of 16....Sept. 14
It was thick on the courts today. The humidity was very high.
The clouds were low and kept a lot of moisture on the courts. They were almost mushy. It took a lot of focus to
be on every ball in that the bounces were uncomfortably low. I won in both singles and doubles and am always pleased
to get through with a win but I was unhappy with my level of intensity. It was up and down. Mostly down because
that old enemy of mine, overconfidence, was at work. I didn't take my opposition seriously enough. I didn't play
with a sense of urgency on enough points. The outcome was that I would get leads with focus and then, without focus,
struggled to close. Singles scores of 6-3, 6-2 don't tell how this match was pretty close. In the doubles, both
Cheney and I were spotty. We were serving 3-4, love 30 in the first set. At that moment we had a little chat about
treating each point with more respect. We won 9 games in a row, winning 6-4, 6-0.
Tomorrow is the quarterfinals and there will be no room for my mind to be anywhere but in the point. Focus will
be my task for tomorrow. When I am focused I hit the shots well, to where they should be hit at the right times.
Decisions flow from a deeper place. My opponent tomorrow is a good friend from California. We had a close match
last year in the semis that I won. He has beaten me a couple of times on indoor hard courts. As I look out my window
I see heavy clouds with rain coming. Good chance the tournament will be moved indoors tomorrow. I have good work
in front of me. Changing surface is a great challenge. I will have to move my confidence indoors with me. With
confidence and focus, may game will be just fine.
First Match...Sept. 13
Played a guy from Massachusetts who had a decent win in the first
round. I was super relaxed and confident going on the court. I feel confident because I feel that I am “on every
ball.” I am moving well and when I get in the proximity of the ball I am making clean contact. Federer’s contact
with the ball was inspiring to me and I plan to stick with that as a playing mantra. Hand and racket face on the
ball. My hand feels very in control of my shot location and spins. It is a good feeling. I feel secure that I can
put the ball just about anywhere on the court. My match started perfectly when I hit three aces and a near fourth.
I won the first sixteen points of the match and only lost a few in the first set. 6-0. At 3-0 in the second set
my opponent held serve and at 4-1 my opponent served a game that had about ten deuce and ad points. That game took
as long as the rest of the whole set. End result. 6-0, 6-1. Play a big lefty from California tomorrow.
I received an email from a client who is working towards being a top Senior International skier, believing that
if I could do it in tennis then it is possible for him to do it in skiing. I am sure he will make it. His email
to me: “I left my house at 7am and went on a 38 mile bike ride. Thought of you a lot. I was trying to imagine how
it feels to go to a National competition, ranked #1 in the world, with everyone eyeing you.“ It is funny but I
was really hooked into that about a month ago and, so far, this week, it has not been on my mind at all. Thankfully,
I feel like one of the players in the tournament, trying to win my match today. A month ago I had told myself that
I needed to stop thinking about rankings, streaks and past championships. I am pleased that I was able to get control
of that. Playing these matches is all about staying in the moment and keeping my confidence up. This is easiest
to do when I feel good about myself in the present. My self esteem at tournaments is solid. My confidence is up.
My belief in myself is strong. I just want to go out and play good tennis.
Doubles starts tomorrow. I am partnering with good friend and super player Brian Cheney. He has been the standard
that I have been trying to play up to all of these years. Last year we won the doubles here and I was a bit nervous
playing with him. This year, I feel differently. I feel that I am more than just a support player. I feel that
it is not only a good deal for me to have him as a partner, it is a good deal for him to have me. That is very
different. These are the thoughts that help me realize how much I have grown as a player and person on the courts.
First Day of the Tournament...September 12
Beautiful day. Beautiful setting. Rockaway Hunt Club with about
20 grass courts. I showed up today and watched some of my buddies play first round matches. I was thrilled to see
one of my closest friends win his first National match after many tries. He fell behind and fought back to win
the first set and pulled out the second under much personal pressure. Those who don't compete just don't know how
hard it is to win on demand. Two other local players that I practice with won their opening matches. I feel like
the team leader for the Eastern players and love to be there for them with whatever support I can provide.
Got to see my three teammates from this year's trip to Australia. Three of us are seeded 1, 2, and 3 and the four
of us are seeded 1 and 2 in doubles. We all hit together and played some practice doubles. If is funny how much
we helped each other in Australia when we were teammates. Today, nobody was offering any suggestions on how to
play better.
Tonight Carol and I hosted a barbecue for some of the players and enjoyed being able to give back to those that
have been so hospitable to us when we are in their cities. We talk tennis: matches, injuries, rules, plans for
the next year, children, grandchildren. We continue to grow our relationships through this wonderful sport.
Tomorrow I step on the court and it counts. I am eager.
The Day Before the Tournament Begins Sept. 11
I have been practicing a couple of times a week for the last few weeks,
making good progress on the areas of my game that I have trying to nail down. I have been serving to the forehand.
I have been passing with my backhand. I have been making a strong effort of being mentally in every single point,
even though it is practice. It pays off big time. I have imaged up service returns that support the game plan that
I have laid out for myself. I have stayed committed to the gym doing leg work and core work. I worked extra hard
on my upper back to help keep my back straighter on more shots. It also is very good for my serve.
I was a bit overzealous last week when giving one lesson. I did an overhead drill where I smacked about 50 of them.
I hardly ever hit that many, and I never hit them hard. Two days later I had a shoulder that felt sore and dead.
For two days I couldn’t serve comfortably. Went to see Boyd, a great physical therapist and he fixed me up immediately.
Little strain of the superspenatis (sp?) and after 20 minutes with him I was 99% better. Decided not to practice
today to give it a rest. Good decision, hard to make.
I got a bye so don’t start until Tuesday. I will get a hit in tomorrow at Rockaway Hunt Club, the site of the the
tournament. I feel calm. I feel excited. I feel ready. Can’t wait to start.
U S Open was totally inspiring. Muller’s win over Roddick, James Blake, Robbie Genepri, Lindsay good and Lindsay
bad, Kim Clysters overcoming her demons, Federer’s confidence, his forehand, his serve, his coverage, his certainty,
and, most of all, Andre. I love the way his experience shows through in his matches. He thinks better than anyone.
He knows that in the big points you must play courageously. Anything less is just not good enough. He had a little
window in the third set today. Federer was a bit confused and dazed, but even from that space, he was able to take
the match back. Regardless, mentally, Andre is the standard that all competitors should reach for .I hope that
James and Robbie can keep it up...that Andy steps it up to another place...that Federer continues to get better
and more dominant....and that Andre gives us more matches.
The draw for the National 55 Grass is updated daily with results and match times. The following is the link:
Click Here: Check out "USTA National Men's 55 & 60 Grass Court Championships: Home"
