Finding Your Form – Aussie Dreams

Written by: Staff on 19th January 2012

Finding Your Form - Aussie Dreams

Spain's Rafael Nadal signs autographs after his win in his third round match against Lukas Lacko of Slovakia at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 20 January 2012. EPA/JOE CASTRO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

I love the current challenges I’ve been facing preparing for the Honolulu Challenger next week. Let me talk about a few of them before going into Aussie Open thoughts!

Yesterday, I found myself at the opening day of Hawaii’s State Legislature. I visited the Capitol building and met with state representatives and senators, even the speaker of the house. I introduced myself and delivered special bantam chicken eggs (which come from my mom’s chickens in the backyard), dyed red for the auspicious Chinese year of the dragon, to a few of them who help my mom in her efforts to help the Chinatown community. Being an athlete, it’s no excuse not to know about government and the process of our American societies. While I don’t have big dreams of ever joining this sector for work, I think being a positive and conscientious tennis citizen is probably a good thing (and it can’t hurt to meet politicians either right?)

Later, I practiced with the University of Hawaii Men’s tennis team after picking up a parking ticket at the Capitol. One thing about Hawaii, the parking enforcement people are ruthless So that was $40 down the drain. But it didn’t affect my attitude at practice. Here’s why. The courts at UH are pretty slow, and I’m used to being able to snap forehand winners either inside out or inside in. So it was difficult running into a pretty defensive German player who was able to pin me deep into the corners. I really wasn’t feeling the ball well and couldn’t muster up any solid or heavy balls. So, that was it. I accepted it and tried to mix things up, but for the most part when you’re fighting an uphill battle against an opponent you don’t quite match up well with, just stay patient and go for your shots. If they go in or go out, you’re still working on your game despite losing in practice. Losing in practice doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme either. The competitiveness is still there, you’re still feeling the heat of battle or losing, but internalize it so you can still objectively see what is going on out there on the court instead of becoming clouded in your judgments due to anger/impatience.

Here’s what happened today at the Kailua Racquet Club. Dennis Lajola and I were able to jump on center court thanks to tennis director Bruce Nagel who’s always willing to help local players and let us use the very classy and fine facilities at KRC. From the beginning, my focus was clearer, my anxieties were down. And here’s why: I was more intense than the day before. I moved my feet back and forward, efficiently making sure I was setting up and loading just a little bit more before every shot. I think we wore out one of our balls on the first rally of the day after starting at the service line! Finding your form means finding your comfort zone where you aren’t forcing things, timing comes easy, movement is fluid, anticipation is natural, and power comes from acceleration of the racket instead of your tense muscles. After a few hours on court with Dennis and another former UH player who’s also playing in the main draw of the Challenger, I finally started to find my form. I zoned and went on a run where I was directing my shots with ease, unable to miss, hitting the ball cleanly in the center of my strings every shot, and moving gracefully. This is why I play the game, this is my religious experience (or whatever you want to call it, I’m just using this term because of the book about Federer with the same title). I look forward to the nerves and anxiety that come from my first round match on Sunday but understand that it’s my legs and my racket that will carry me over my obstacles, nothing more.

Aussie Open Thoughts:

I love Andy Murray’s new attitude on court. Brad Gilbert hinted at it last night during his match against Roger-Vasselin. The energy that Murray wastes having his complaints and conversations with himself probably drain him and condition him to lose big matches (because the other big 3 don’t do it, they appear and are mentally stronger in the tougher moments). He’s intense as ever, upset with himself when he makes an error and DOESN’T break serve. That’s a huge indicator of a confident player, trust me.

With the controversy going on about Roger and Rafa and the other players behind closed doors, I wonder if that will seep into their routine and mindsets while they play? Can they avoid the media’s barrage and remain unscathed emotionally and physically? I’m sure they can since they’re professionals but what if the situation escalates and a turning point in tennis history comes about?

Everyone’s been talking about the Nalbandian/Isner match, claiming Nalbandian got robbed. He didn’t. He waited 21 seconds to challenge when that situation clearly calls for an immediate one by both players regardless of what was called. That’s why the system is there. USE IT. I would and probably beg for more challenges throughout the match, just so I can be sure! Nalbandian said “Challenge” after the umpire called “Deuce”, if that isn’t late then I don’t know what is. Your silence says you accept what happened – otherwise you’d speak up right? I’m not being pro-Isner here, just voicing my opinion that Nalbandian wasn’t robbed. It was his fault, not the umpire’s.

Time to stretch, roll out on a foam roller, hydrate, and enjoy some local plate lunch!

Shubert

Topics: Australian Open, Honolulu Challenger