Last week I was walking past one of the back tennis courts where two players were displaying their range of tennis skills.
The rallies were going back and forth, down the lines and cross court with both players in a lather of sweat and chasing down every single ball with complete desperation. I stood at the back fence and watched in amazement as each player threw themselves around the court. Every point was a battle of attrition. Long rallies, net attacks, dipping forehands, inch perfect lobs and crushing overheads. Both players rarely stopped for breaks. They just kept battling.
Was it Rafa, was it Federer, was it Sharapova???
I went about my business, then returned past the court about 30 minutes later, to see both players still going hard at it. No words, just the ultimate competition. Slice backhand followed by drive forehand, then driving shot and into the net for a finishing volley. Wipe off the sweat with an already dripping wrist band then go at it again.
Was it Rafa, was it Federer, was it Sharapova???
Striding back to the baseline and readying to go 100% for the next point, he looked up at me. With a huge grin, he said “There is no greater challenge in sport then going head to head with someone of like ability. The battle is always intense and I absolutely love it. My wife and I play tennis against each other all the time and mate, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
That’s right, the opposing players were husband and wife, and….they were in their sixties. What a fantastic moment to witness. It wasn’t Djocovic verse Warrinka, or Nadal verse Federer, or even Sharapova verse Williams. Just two tennis players going head to head in a desperate battle, regardless of gender and regardless of age. Giving their all for a sport they love.
Continue to challenge yourself in sport, academics and life in general. Give your all and enjoy the battle. It’s how you find out who you really are inside.
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