While I realize Memorial Day is a uniquely American holiday, it always signals for me the kickoff of the French Open tennis tournament.
This morning is the final for the women, pitting veteran Maria Sharapova of Russia against Simona Halep of Romania.
Last year’s women’s champion was Serena Williams of the United States.
I grew up watching Australian women dominate tennis until the U.S.’s Chris Evert came on the scene in the early 1970s. Because she and Martina Navratilova are my contemporaries, my allegiance re-ignites every time a Grand Slam tournament comes round. Of course Chrissy and Martina are now relegated to the media box as commentators, long past their prime as competitors.
As I watch these professional athletes I try to extrapolate personal takeaways: Extreme commitment, the ability to dig deep in adversity, a love of the game, honing natural talent, a strong belief in themselves, and, probably the most important, the ability to take a loss as a lesson.
This tournament, Sharapova, 27, has lost almost every first of three sets. Her mental toughness gets her back on the winning track. Of any player, she seems to thrive as the underdog.
Most of us don’t think we need to have the fortitude of a professional athlete.
After being eliminated early in the tournament Williams, 32, said, “I’m going to go home and work five times as hard to make sure I never lose again.”
Williams has never been known to be a gracious loser, true, but that determination is what keeps her a champion.
It’s easier to shy away from competition. Most of us are armchair critics, long on talk but short on action. But what if we tried to walk the talk a little more?
Instead of “good-enough” work, we’d give our best effort. We’d learn to take a criticism constructively, not as a personal attack. We would believe in our ability to shoot for that raise or promotion. And, if a setback occurs, we’d take it as a challenge to get right back in the game.
These are good traits for everyone, whether they pick up a racket or not.
Love all.
