Resiliency is the Key!

Yesterday I was out playing with one of my better students. As we were rallying, my frayed strings were beginning to soften…you know, that feeling just before the final “pop”, and then the strings are broken. Like most tennis players, I started going for it, hitting big shots in attempt to break the one strand that was holding on. (See image above.) Thirty minutes later I was still trying to finish off the one stubborn strand! I looked closely at my strings and thought “what is keeping this one strand holding on? Then I thought, resiliency of course! The remaining strand was certainly the strongest of the bunch…it would not let go! Finally, I hit a big forehand service return and the string could no longer hold…pop (!) and it was over.

Then I realized how much this little strand can teach one about life as a tennis player. Whether you are a beginner learning the game, an aspiring junior, adult, club player or pro, resiliency is the key to growth and success. Who will win the French Open this weekend? My bet is the man and woman who demonstrate the greatest resiliency to endure the challenges and the pressure of playing for a Grand Slam title on the slow, red clay in Paris.