Realizations on the Tennis Court

This morning was one of its kind. I've never 'realized' so many things at one time, and I'd thought playing tennis was a fairly simple affair, like, hit the ball so that it ends up on the opponent's side of the court.

But.

I realized this morning.

Technique matters - it's not all about hitting the ball so that it ends up on the opponent's side of the court.

Even when it seems that the ball's gone crazy and your coach has lost control over it, he's actually intentionally sending it left and right for you to actually really try and hit it, and not relax with the happy thought that it's too far anyway.

There's no point looking around at others play and pitying your own form - it will NOT help you play better.

Your coach is SUPPOSED to play better than you, so it's just okay if you can't match up to him.

You just can't afford to choose the exact moment when you're supposed to hit the ball to decide on your breakfast menu.

Looking at the form the flock of birds is making when you're serving will ensure that you miss your shot and look like a fool.

The coach does not really need to be apologized to every time you make a stupid mistake.

Worrying over your chipped nail polish - No! No! No!

Trying to recall the lyrics of Jaane Kyun Dil Jaanta Hai... doesn't help.

Praying that a decent song plays on the FM on your way back doesn't help.

Planning your day doesn't help.

Trying to memorize all that you think so that you can put it up on your blog - doesn't help at all.

You need to FOCUS. On. The. GAME.

Also, that few things are more embarrassing than your coach telling you, "tum pehle decide kar lo, cricket khel rahi ho ki tennis, phir khelo", and then making you play at half-court.

All that said, I'm not really that bad at it. No Federer, no Rafa, no Sania - their worst game would be at least a 100x better than my best - but what the heck - I enjoy my game, and that's what matters.