I have loved tennis since I was a teenager and played it – not particularly well.? I see now that I could have played it much better, by relaxing and not thinking.? Just allowing my body, arms and hands to do what they knew how to do.? And perhaps some day, or some other lifetime, I shall.
I have absolutely loved watching Roger Federer play tennis.? He is so graceful, so sure, so in sync.? His play looks like ballet, and photographs often show him in strenuous and beautiful Baryshnikov leaps.? His Zen mind is also in evidence.? He has learned, he has practiced, he has thought.? So that when he is playing, in that moment, tennis simply happens.? All of him knows what to do.
Another amazing part of his tennis is the quiet.? He is not grunting, his racket is not flailing, his shoes are not squeaking, he does not land with a thump.? All is beauty.
All is not peace, however, though the scene is peaceful.? Roger is a warrior, first and foremost, a general with a plan, but also the fighter who relishes the win.? His enormous power and confidence provide the boost to put him at the top.
For all those many years his reign was unquestioned.? Then came his polar opposite, the incredible Rafael Nadal.? Now two more – The Djoker and The Canny Scot.? Novak (Nole) Djokovic, the Serb, who is hard for me to like.? The Celt, Andy Murray, is a strong favorite of mine.? If and when Andy soaks up a bit of that Zen mind of Roger’s, he will be at the top.
As Roger no longer is – just missing by a hair these days.? It is the way of life – but not so easy for me to watch.? Still beautiful, even more elegant, with a rowdy twinkle.? But not quite there.? Not quite perfection.? He is still well loved by one and all.? Aaaahhhh.