Am I Turning Into My Rating?

Let me set the scene: It's Thursday night, you have a league match Friday morning at 10am, your doubles partner just texted you that she's not feeling well and isn't going to be able to play tomorrow, you tell her to feel better and not worry, you'll find a sub. If you're being honest with yourself, what are the first three words that pop into your mind?

"What's her rating"? Yup, we're all guilty of it! As tennis players it is extremely important that we don't let our rating define us or who we play with and against. Without question we need a fair rating system to organize league play but what we don't need is to care more about our rating than improving our game and having fun. Let's focus on the positive: * Concentrate on your game, your shot selection and composure ... not your rating * Look forward to playing a challenging opponent ... not your rating

* Stay focused on your side of the net ... not your rating

* Protect your own integrity and the integrity of the game, the goal is fair play and

competition ... not your rating

* You've got one person to worry about on the court, YOU ... not your rating * Be comprehensive, push anxiety aside, play smart, have fun, be immersed in the

point you're playing ... not your rating

Ratings will always be part of how we measure where a player fits into a competitive experience, you control your rating by what you do on the court. As we all know the final score is often not the measure of the match, you might not "be your rating" but if you walk on and off the court and the match was played with integrity, rate yourself a solid "10". During this time when there is no formal tennis competition, I've noticed a really cool thing happening in the tennis community; tennis is going back to it's roots. Families are playing in their driveways over garbage cans with a makeshift rope net, kids are hitting against their garage doors, players are seeking out backboards at the public parks or merely calling a pal to get together and hit the ball around. This is the perfect time to experience the game of tennis in it's organic, pure intention, ... to meet up with a friend, get some exercise and have some uncomplicated fun! Let's tuck away this spirit for when league play returns. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you on the courts for some fun!

Barb

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