If this sounds familiar to you, here are seven tips to keep you going and yes, you don’t even need to wield your racket.
1) Always show up. According to actor-comedian Woody Allen, showing up is 90 percent success. Keep a perfect attendance in your practice session.
Talent scout does not often travel to your place. And he makes quick decision. Sometimes, lower ranked players get the break because they are always around.
2) Believe in your coach. While you have enormous talent and can put the team into the winning column, it is not always the case that your coach will put you on the hard court. If this is happening to you, I suggest you wait for your turn. Bad mouthing the coach to show your displeasure or boycotting the team on the road because the coach will not field you after all, is anti-success and will only doom you to fail.
3) Respect the institution. Amateur players have tendency to question the rules of the game that they should play. Remember that sponsors, tournament organizers, coaches, umpires, linesmen comprise the institution that you have to deal with. Fighting this giant will only bring more harm than good in your tennis career. Remember you need them more than they need you.
4) Run the extra mile. As much as you train hard making the day a night vice versa, opportunity does not come in broad daylight. Sometimes success knocks at your doorstep at the time when your tide of enthusiasm is about to subside. Don’t give up. Keep going until you finish the last mile. Always remember the story of the butterfly.
5) Develop a beautiful mind. While we spend time in training our body, very little time however, is earmarked in putting meat in our brain. The following questions will find out whether your brain is ready for the match: Do you bring your ego to the court instead of your game? Do you hate noise while playing? Do you easily get upset on a questionable call?Do you easily fall easy prey to court gamesmanship?
6) Embrace politics. As an aspiring young player, you need every conceivable help to achieve your goal. Pleasing everybody is a politician’s job. But if you can be like one, you will be amazed how being nice and courteous to everyone can move your tennis career to another level.
7) You need cash flow. As we always read, money is the root of all evils. Maybe for those who have millions and their minds are mired into it. But if you don’t have any, it is too tough to advance your tennis career. Freebies are getting scarce nowadays. Someday, clean air will be up for sale. So start looking now for a generous benefactor who will believe in your capability.
