MESSAGE #773 I'M IN LOVE WITH A GIRL NAMED KIM…
“I’m not really playing for the money. I just want to go out there and have fun. I really missed it so much…”
-KIM CLIJSTERS
I’m in love with Kim Clijsters. The US Open is only the third tournament of her comeback since becoming a new mother. She last played two and a half years ago.
Now she’s back.
I wasn’t a big fan of hers before her break, but after watching her play and upset Venus Williams yesterday, I am totally in love with her. She’s doing all the right things.
She is going all out.
She is having fun.
She knows it isn’t life or death.
After the match you could see how emotional she was, but also had things in perspective. She didn’t need to win. But she wanted to win.
And Clijsters knew she had a chance. Here is her “tweet” just before her match…
“On our way to the courts now. Feeling excited! There’s been a lot of upsets in the women’s draw, hopefully I can pull one today too!”
I know it’s a bold prediction, but I think that Kim Clijsters will win the US Open.
Time will tell.
Happy Labor Day everyone!
MESSAGE #772 MORE UPSETS IN THE US OPEN…
MESSAGE #771 WINNING…
MESSAGE #768 USTA TENNIS TEACHERS CONFERENCE AND US OPEN WRAP-UP…
MESSAGE #767 IT'S ALL GOOD…
“The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively and draws back to himself positive results.”
-NORMAN VINCENT PEALE
As you know, yesterday I had a bit of drama as I had a book signing at the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference and no books. It worked out, but not without a lot of stress on my end. Someone from the USTA was nice enough to go to the US Open bookstore and pick up thirty books and bring them to the Grand Hyatt for my book signing at 1:30pm yesterday.
I was quite stressed before my talk at 11:15am, but did a little meditation to get in the zone. I was fine. I think my talk went well and sold quite a few books at the signing.
I did have to go back to Princeton last night to pick up more books, but it could have been worse. My positive mindset helped.
Today, I am going to listen to Allen Fox speak at 8:30am and then heading over to the Open to do a book signing at the US Open bookstore (near Court 10), just before Billie Jean King.
I will be sure to post an update and photos tomorrow…
Thanks for reading.
MESSAGE #765 I'M IN THE US OPEN!!!
“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is more important than the outcome.”
-ARTHUR ASHE
Well, I have a few big days coming up.
I head into NYC today for the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference. I will be speaking alongside industry leaders, such as, Patrick McEnroe, Brad Gilbert, Mary Joe Fernandez and Peter Burwash on Monday. Then, on Tuesday, I will be doing a book signing at the US Open Bookstore just before Billie Jean King.
As I tell my close friends, this is going to be…
Average.
You can’t get too high and you can’t get too low. Everything is a stepping stone to something better. Once you think you’ve made it, you’re done. I will never think I’ve made it. I seek to constantly improve.
Bruce Springsteen was once asked backstage after one of his concerts, how he gave such a great performance every night.
Bruce said, “That’s easy – two things…
#1. Every night I tell myself that this is the most important concert of my my career…and #2…
It’s only rock and roll.
What does this mean? Your effort should be all out, but your attitude should be a little relaxed.
It’s only rock and roll.
It’s only tennis.
It’s only a talk and book signing…
Next blog message from NYC…
Thanks for reading.
MESSAGE #763 ANDRE THE GIANT…
Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Michael Sachs, PhD at Temple University.
“I miss the relationships. I miss my peers. I miss the fans being up close and personal and being able to impact their day for a couple hours. But I’ve also chosen to look at my life as a canvas to impact people for a lot longer than that. You don’t get the immediate feedback, but your life’s work truly has a bigger relevance than just a break from their day when they come out to watch you. This is about real change and real impact.”
-ANDRE AGASSI
The quote above was from a recent New York Times article.
Andre Agassi was always my favorite tennis player. I remember when he first came up and had that long hair and wore those denim Nike shorts. All he had was that big forehand.
He’s come a long way since the 80s. He went from punk to professional. He turned into a class act. I really liked Andre as a player, but I like him even more now that he’s retired.
He has started a charter school in Las Vegas in a rough neighborhood so that underprivileged children could attend college and have a brighter future. He’s making a difference and seeing how the rewards are greater than all the money and trophies he won on the tour.
Very few of my students will go on and be as successful as Andre on the tennis court, but ALL of my students can go on and become as successful as Andre off the court. The lessons you learn and the challenges you face in sports will help you in all areas of life. And remember, it’s about others.
Beginning Sunday, I will be in New York City, speaking at the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference on Monday, August 31st at the Grand Hyatt and then I will be doing a book signing at the US Open on September 1st (I will be Billie Jean King’s opening act). Monday evening they will be honoring Andre Agassi and others for their philanthropic work after retiring. Hopefully I will get a chance to see him.
To read the full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/sports/tennis/28agassi.html?emc=eta1
Thanks for reading.
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