When we’re on court, we don’t complain. We win. To the questions below, there is only one productive answer – win anyway. The manner in which we go about this may vary from question to question, but the attitude is the same regardless.
Something Injured?
Win anyway.
Feeling tired?
Win anyway.
Forget to eat enough?
Win anyway.
Using someone else’s racket?
Win anyway.
Opponent cheating with line calls?
Win anyway.
Opponent too tall?
Win anyway.
Opponent too fast?
Win anyway.
Opponent getting so lucky?
Win anyway.
Opponent (God forbid) pushing?
Win anyway
Analyze, but Never Complain
Analysis on court is useful. Complaining and self-bemoaning are not. Tennis is a good microcosm for life – control what you can; accept what you can’t.
If you’re injured, maybe you have to avoid certain shots. Maybe you have to defend differently. You’re not at your best, but that doesn’t mean you’ve lost. Change, adapt, adjust – win anyway.
If your opponent is cheating, can you get a line judge? If not, what do your ethical standards say about cheating back? If a line judge is impossible, and you’re above cheating back, move your targets in to accommodate the smaller court, and then move on. Complaining is a waste of mental resources.
Every opponent will have different talents and weaknesses. The appropriate disposition towards your particular opponent is detached and analytical, not in any way emotional or defeatist. I don’t care how tall, or how fast, or how lucky your opponent is. The match isn’t over until the final ball is struck.
Win anyway.
