The Linklater/Hawke/Delpy trilogy truly is classic, showing the power of smart dialogue. Come to think of it, that's what I think about Andrea's brilliant blogs as well...
Tennis as a textbook for all situations of life. I can totally understand that. Only when it comes to confrontation, it doesn't necessarily have to be about winning (except in tennis). You can negotiate and find solutions.
But all the 5 points you mentioned also help with this;)!
We were in the food service business for many years. One of the most accomplished people to ever work with us, proficient in both the back and front of house and a great friend, said you had to have butterflies in your stomach before every service if you wanted to do well. RIP Bege, truer words were never spoke.
I hope you watched the Chappel Roan performance at the VMAs. Very Dungeon and Dragons. And I was glad she did the entire song and not a medley like the other performers.
Bravo. I often think that too much self help advice is focused on how to feel good about the situation as opposed to how to perform well even though you feel bad. It’s the latter that all good tennis players learn, as our sport is so full of mistakes you just can’t get around them no matter how much you practice.
On your note about the importance of retaining anxiety, the basketball coaches Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr talk about needing to have "appropriate fear."
A confrontation on the tennis court is enormous, especially in the early stages for a young player or in the latest stages for a champion. But the very public confrontations where millions of people are watching and rooting against you are terrifying. Politics. Journalism.
Media: in 2017 Davis Cup, Nick Kyrgios was about to lead Australia against the USA. A respected local journalist told him to 'crawl back into the gutter he crawled out of'. This was not considered racist or misogynistic regarding his Malaysian mother. The journalist won an award. Now Kyrgios faces the loss of his future for a tweet. This is also confrontation. They won, by the way. but Nick's family never recovered. Nor did he. I have subscribed to your excellent substack.
Things that make me happy: when you're blessing us with 2 articles in 1 week 🙌🏻
I shared a drink with Ethan Hawke in a bar last year. He told good stories. Then he vanished into the night. True story.
Got a link to the video where your opponent is throwing wenches at you? I'm howling at the visual!
I too wish to have wenches launched in my general direction. Subscribe, as the kids say nowadays.
Also, Before Midnight is beautiful, and perhaps the most believable of the trilogy, but it is kind of a bummer.
The Linklater/Hawke/Delpy trilogy truly is classic, showing the power of smart dialogue. Come to think of it, that's what I think about Andrea's brilliant blogs as well...
Nadal: half anxiety, half man
Love it
(and listening to Pink Pony Club now. Thank you)
Tennis as a textbook for all situations of life. I can totally understand that. Only when it comes to confrontation, it doesn't necessarily have to be about winning (except in tennis). You can negotiate and find solutions.
But all the 5 points you mentioned also help with this;)!
You got me covered.
"Be confident - but leave room for anxiety"
We were in the food service business for many years. One of the most accomplished people to ever work with us, proficient in both the back and front of house and a great friend, said you had to have butterflies in your stomach before every service if you wanted to do well. RIP Bege, truer words were never spoke.
Love your articles. Always on the money.
And I love those films, too, and virtually anything else set in Paris!
Great piece
I hope you watched the Chappel Roan performance at the VMAs. Very Dungeon and Dragons. And I was glad she did the entire song and not a medley like the other performers.
Bravo. I often think that too much self help advice is focused on how to feel good about the situation as opposed to how to perform well even though you feel bad. It’s the latter that all good tennis players learn, as our sport is so full of mistakes you just can’t get around them no matter how much you practice.
On your note about the importance of retaining anxiety, the basketball coaches Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr talk about needing to have "appropriate fear."
A confrontation on the tennis court is enormous, especially in the early stages for a young player or in the latest stages for a champion. But the very public confrontations where millions of people are watching and rooting against you are terrifying. Politics. Journalism.
Media: in 2017 Davis Cup, Nick Kyrgios was about to lead Australia against the USA. A respected local journalist told him to 'crawl back into the gutter he crawled out of'. This was not considered racist or misogynistic regarding his Malaysian mother. The journalist won an award. Now Kyrgios faces the loss of his future for a tweet. This is also confrontation. They won, by the way. but Nick's family never recovered. Nor did he. I have subscribed to your excellent substack.
I've already printed and pasted these nuggets to my refrigerator door. Your cure for jet lag: beer and, of course, tennis.