Baseline flow

Coming out of Pride Month, we British people cast our thoughts towards the start of one of our most prized sporting events, the Wimbledon fortnight. The world’s best tennis players descend on London to win one of the world’s oldest Grand Slam tournaments. Images of strawberries and cream, Pimm’s and all white clothing. However, I think of the athleticism and long rallies and mental toughness.

A strong flow from when the ball is served, then hit with a racket at nearly 100mph. The opposing player preparing to return from the baseline. The back and forth, the quiet silence of the audience following the rally. Each player using all their tools to return the ball back with topspin, slicing the ball to slow it down and get their opponent to volley. The running back and forth, the diving for the ball until someone makes a mistake and finally wins a point.

The grunts and moves. The crowd reactions. The calls of the ball being ‘out’ and a player losing their temper. The player contesting and waiting for the technology to see if the umpire called it right…no, the point gets awarded.

It all ends in a handshake. All very English, all very sportsmanlike. Even when losing actually hurts from all the hard work you’ve put in.

It reminds me a lot, even though it’s cliche…you win some and you lose some. Even when you put everything into something, you can still lose. However that depends on your own mindset of what a loss looks like. Some of my losses have been the most educational moments in my life. In fact, the more I lose…the more ability I have to learn from my mistakes.

So when you feel let down when your favourite athlete loses, remember the greatest athletes are the ones who don’t hold onto the wins and learn from their losses. They know its a journey of exploration. Its part of it.

Until next time, #embraceinfinity.