Atmane’s Evolution: From Banging to Relentless Patterns
Atmane’s Evolution: From Banging to Relentless Patterns
The newly expanded 96-player draw in Cincinnati gave Térence Atmane a lifeline — a spot in qualifying. He seized it, beating Yoshihito Nishioka to reach the main draw, then taking down Flavio Cobolli, João Fonseca, Taylor Fritz, and Holger Rune.
Cincinnati’s fast, low-bouncing hard courts, with their skidding ball speed, are tailor-made for his game. The surface rewards his first-strike instincts, amplifies his lefty serve, and keeps opponents from settling into long exchanges.
The Weapons Were Always There
Atmane has never lacked firepower — a left-handed serve that carves the court wide, a forehand that can rip through defenses, and angles that drag opponents into awkward recovery patterns.
What he hasn’t had is stability. His Challenger career yielded a 74–48 record before Cincinnati, but in 2025 he was just 19–10 despite two titles, his results swinging wildly from dangerous to erratic.
The last two seasons brought turbulence: a near-default at the 2024 French Open after hitting a spectator, the loss of his Asics sponsorship, and boos from the Philippe-Chatrier crowd after a flat 2025 French Open loss to Richard Gasquet.
A Mental Reset
After the Gasquet defeat, Atmane told Tennis Channel he wanted to be “more healthy, more happy.” It marked a shift from chasing only results to building daily habits that sustain performance.
He’s traded emotional volatility for adaptive mental strategies — match-day rituals, reset cues, and positive self-talk (shades of Draper) — giving his raw power a framework for consistency.
Inside the Patterns: How He’s Winning Points
Wide Forehand Setup: Lefty Geometry: One of his most effective plays this week has been the wide forehand setup — a nod to the Nadal variation, but executed with his own aggression. From the ad court, he serves wide to the backhand, forcing a stretched return. That gives him time to step around and crack a forehand crosscourt, opening the angle even further. With his opponent pulled far off the court, the next ball is an inside-out forehand into open space — precision meets geometry.
Short/Long Combo: Disrupting the Rally Rhythm: When rallies settle into neutral patterns, Atmane uses the short/long combo. He’ll carve a short, angled forehand that yanks his opponent forward, often on the run. As they scramble back, he picks his strike — a passing shot threading the gap or a deep lob that flips the point back in his favor. It’s a rhythm-breaker that unsettles even the most reliable baseliners.
Wrong-Foot Redirect: Timing Meets Deception: His improved timing and awareness are on full display with the wrong-foot backhand redirect. Taking the ball early, often as his opponent moves back to center, he sends it down the line — not into open space, but directly into their recovery path. The surprise forces an awkward adjustment, creating errors or easy finishes at the net.
Wrap
Cincinnati could be the turning point that transforms Térence Atmane from an unpredictable outsider into a player with top-20 potential.
His next challenge is Jannik Sinner in the semifinals — a meeting of two players with contrasting styles and very different routes to this stage.
Source: Cincinnati Open
Keep Turning Up: The Mindset That Changes Matches
Keep Turning Up: The Mindset That Changes Matches
Golfer Tommy Fleetwood knows the walk. Final-round tension, leaderboard glances, cameras following. And yet — no PGA Tour trophy in his hands.
He’s widely considered the best player without a win — a tag no one wants, but one he’s carried with grace. His close calls are many, his skill undeniable, but the breakthrough hasn’t arrived.
Tennis has its own versions of this storyline. Think David Ferrer, who reached a Grand Slam final and stayed in the top five for years without winning a major. Or Elena Dementieva, who played multiple Slam finals and won Olympic gold, but never claimed a major trophy. Like Fleetwood, they lived in the rare air of constant contention, week after week, without the crowning moment.
The Invisible Hurdle
Fleetwood’s challenge isn’t mechanical — he’s a world-class ball striker with multiple European Tour wins. The real opponent?
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History’s shadow – Each time in contention, the whisper comes: Here we go again.
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Expectation weight – Every point or shot feels heavier because of what’s at stake.
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Anxiety’s trap – Playing to avoid failure instead of playing to win.
As Davis Love III says, “It’s a mental battle to not play for something other than one shot at a time.” Any tennis player who’s tightened up serving out a match in the third set knows exactly what he means.
Why Showing Up Matters
Performance psychology shows that repeated close calls can cause overthinking. The brain, trying to protect itself from the pain of past losses, tenses when the moment comes again.
The key is to keep showing up anyway. Fleetwood himself put it best: “I would way rather be there and fail than not be there at all.”
In tennis, the same holds true. Being in the fight — whether in the semis of your club championship or at the sharp end of a Badge finals match — is proof of belonging, not failure.
A Lesson From My Coaching Days
When I coached juniors in the US, I made a deal with my students: they had to play 10 tournaments over the summer. Why? Because no one knows when the breakthrough will come.
I secretly hoped it wouldn’t happen in the first couple — that early rush of winning can tempt young players to overplay and risk injury. But by tournament eight or nine, something deeper took hold. Turning up wasn’t just about chasing a trophy anymore; it became a life lesson in resilience.
They learned to:
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Compete when tired
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Focus after disappointment
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Trust that persistence is its own kind of win.
The Takeaway
Fleetwood’s story — and those of Ferrer, Dementieva, and countless other players — proves that persistence is a skill.
When the breakthrough comes, it won’t be magic. It will be the natural outcome of showing up, again and again, long after it would’ve been easier to stay home.
Whisperer Tip: Keep turning up.
When the win comes, it won’t mark the beginning of your story — it will simply be the next chapter in your tennis development, forged through resilience.
The Silent Match-Loser in Badge: Unforced Errors
The Silent Match-Loser in Badge: Unforced Errors
I still remember, as a kid learning tennis, going up against “the puddler” — that maddening opponent who never seemed to do anything but float the ball back to the middle of the court. Point after point, I’d try to blast my way through, only to miss and gift them another point. I was small, without the weapons to finish a point, clueless about court positioning, and far too impatient to play the long game. My young mind couldn’t wrap itself around one simple, infuriating question: how could you possibly lose to someone who never attacked?
The answer, of course, was simple: unforced errors.
What They Are — And Why They Matter
An unforced error is a mistake entirely within your control — no brilliant winner from your opponent, no impossible retrieval. Just a shot you should have made, but didn’t.
While the frequency of these errors generally decreases as standards rise, they never vanish. Even in Badge tennis, they are often the biggest deciding factor in a match.
Some are more painful than others. Failing to return a weak second serve — particularly in doubles, and especially when you dump the return into the net — is a serial offender. Other classic examples include:
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Missing a routine volley with the court wide open
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Overhitting an approach shot with no real pressure on the swing
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Netting a slow sitter in the middle of the court
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Double-faulting on a crucial point
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Sailing a ball long when you had time to set up perfectly
The sting isn’t just in losing the point — it’s in knowing the outcome was entirely in your hands.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Roughly 30% of professional tennis points end with an unforced error. The best in history keep their rates unusually low:
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Bjorn Borg → 4.9%
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Rafael Nadal → 5.4%
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Roger Federer → 8.2%
By comparison, the average Sydney Badge player will often see 35–45% of points end in a UFE — and in scrappy, high-pressure matches (especially against “puddlers”), that number can surge past 50%.
At Badge level, matches are often decided not by who hits the most winners, but by who can hand over the fewest free points.
Why It’s a Match-Changer in Badge
At pro level, shaving 5% off your UFE rate can swing a match. In Badge, where UFE counts are often much higher, the impact is even bigger. If you normally give away 40% of points through UFEs and you can bring that down to 30%, you’ll win far more matches — without improving a single other aspect of your game.
The Psychology of Control
Reducing unforced errors in Badge isn’t about playing “safe” tennis — it’s about disciplined execution under pressure:
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Balance — hold posture through your shot so the ball stays on target
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Footwork — small, precise prep steps to arrive balanced
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Mental resets — breathing, self-talk, and rituals to stop one mistake becoming three
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Training habits — making consistency automatic through repetition
Why UFEs in Doubles Can Be Easier to Manage
In doubles, you start in a winning position — right at the net. That positioning forces errors from your opponents and gives you high-percentage volleys to finish points quickly. Because rallies are shorter, there’s less time for UFEs to creep in — but the same rule applies: the team that gives away fewer free points almost always wins.
So how do you handle it when your partner makes a UFE? Nobody deliberately misses a shot, so be sympathetic — especially if they were doing the right thing tactically. In those moments, your role is to be encouraging, not critical. Remember, even a strong doubles team will still win only about 60% of points they play, so the occasional miss is not just inevitable — it’s part of the game. A quick nod, a smile, or a “good look” can keep your team’s confidence rolling into the next point.
How to Start Winning the UFE Battle
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Track your mistakes — chart your UFEs in matches and notice patterns.
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Consistency — aim for 50+ rally balls deep-to-deep groundies and volleys without an error in practice
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Simulate match pressure — assign penalties for UFEs in practice sets. You lose 3 points when you hit the ball into the net.
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Have a reset plan — deep breath, ritual, and a tactical target after every error.
Whisperer Tip:
In Badge tennis, you don’t have to be the biggest hitter to win — but you do have to be the one who gives away fewer free points. Control what you can control, and you’ll control the match.
How Screens Can Sabotage Your Tennis Game
How Screens Can Sabotage Your Tennis Game
In today’s game, winning points isn’t just about fast feet or a powerful forehand—it’s about how well your eyes can keep up. Your visual system is constantly working overtime: tracking a ball moving at high speed, judging spin and depth in a split second, and syncing your movement to what you see.
But here’s the catch—if your eyes are fatigued or out of sync, your timing, balance, and anticipation can crumble. And in the age of constant phone scrolling and computer work, many players are stepping on court with eyes that are already running on empty.
Your Visual System’s Job on Court
It’s doing far more than just “seeing the ball.” It’s:
Tracking rapid movement
Across the net, baseline to baseline, in a fraction of a second.
Judging depth and spin in milliseconds
So you can position and time your shot perfectly.
Coordinating body movement with visual input
To maintain balance and hit in rhythm.
When the visual system is fatigued or unstable—often thanks to too much screen time—your reactions slow, your court positioning suffers, and your balance wobbles under pressure.
From Office Screens to On-Court Struggles
Take “Lira” (name changed), a 35-year-old competitive rec player. She spends hours online for work and hobbies. Over time, she noticed:
Dizziness
While tracking balls from the periphery.
Eye fatigue
After just a set or two.
Anxiety in busy visual environments
Such as crowded courts or doubles play.
Difficulty locking focus
On her opponent’s racquet or contact point.
Her problem? A combination of Convergence Insufficiency (trouble bringing the eyes together for near focus) and Vertical Heterophoria (a subtle vertical misalignment of the eyes). Each condition alone can throw you off—but together, they were wrecking her performance.
How Visual Fatigue Hurts Your Tennis
Late reactions on returns
The split-second delay in visual processing can mean a shanked return or being late on a passing shot.
Poor anticipation
You miss subtle cues in your opponent’s body language.
Balance breakdowns
You feel off-kilter when changing direction, especially on wide balls.
Reduced stamina
Your brain burns more energy processing unstable visual input, draining you faster.
Why Screens Make It Worse
A major clue in Lira’s case: her symptoms were triggered by visual activity—screens, faces, busy traffic—not simply physical exertion.
That’s a key lesson for players: if dizziness or fatigue only happens with visual demand, your eyes might be the real culprit.
The Tennis Takeaway
If you’re a player who:
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Feels “foggy” late in matches
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Struggles with balance on wide or low balls
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Has trouble locking onto the ball in fast rallies
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Gets anxious or disoriented in doubles traffic
…it might not be your strokes—it might be your visual stamina.
The bad news? Endless scrolling, streaming, and screen work off-court can slowly erode that stamina.
The good news? With the right training, your eyes can be retrained—just like your footwork or serve mechanics.
Bottom line: Your eyes are as much a part of your tennis toolkit as your legs and racquet arm. Protect them off court, train them on court, and you’ll feel sharper, steadier, and more confident in the big points.
Phone-to-Court Visual Reset (3 Minutes)
Goal: Loosen near-focus tension from screen use, activate tracking speed, and sharpen depth perception before warm-up hits.
1. Distance Reset – “20–20–20” Style (1 min)
Purpose: Relax eye muscles and shift from near to far focus.
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Look at the furthest object you can see (tree, scoreboard, light post).
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Hold your focus there for 20 seconds, blink naturally.
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Shift to another distant object for 20 seconds.
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Repeat once more.
2. Saccade Speed Boost (45 sec)
Purpose: Activate rapid eye movement for reading the ball early.
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Pick two objects about 3–5 meters apart in your vision (court sign, umpire chair).
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Without moving your head, snap your eyes from one target to the other as fast as possible.
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Go for 15 seconds, rest 5 seconds, repeat twice.
3. Near–Far Snap Drill (45 sec)
Purpose: Improve quick focus changes between opponent’s racquet and ball.
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Hold a tennis ball with a large letter/number written on it at arm’s length.
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Focus on it for 2 seconds, then quickly shift to the net strap or far baseline.
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Repeat 15–20 times.
4. Convergence Tune-Up (30 sec)
Purpose: Strengthen eye teaming for better ball tracking.
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Hold your racquet in front of you, tip pointing up.
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Slowly bring the tip toward your nose, keeping it single and clear as long as possible.
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Return to start, repeat 5–6 times.
Whisperer Tip: Do this before your physical warm-up (short court rallies, mini tennis) and your eyes will already be in game mode—no “foggy first two games” effect.
The Joy of a Hit
The Joy of a Hit
As Coach Tim reminded me, there’s something quietly magical about two people on a court just having a hit.
There’s real beauty in the rhythm — in the simple joy of striking the ball cleanly, sweetly, again and again.
In the rush to compete, to grind out results, and climb rankings, many players miss this essential: the joy of the hit.
Why the Hit Matters More Than You Think
Most players train to win. They chase the scoreboard, the next tournament, the next edge. But in that chase, something vital can get lost — the pure, effortless joy of clean contact, the sound of a well-struck ball echoing under the open sky.
When you hit for the love of the hit, you reconnect with the original reason you picked up a racket in the first place. Not for validation. Not for rankings. But because there’s something deeply satisfying about rhythm, timing, and flow.
What You Miss When You Rush to Compete
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You miss the feel — of how your body syncs with the ball.
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You skip the rhythm — the meditative back-and-forth that builds control.
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You bypass the flow — that sweet zone where time slows and every shot feels inevitable.
And ironically, you also stall your development. Rushing into match play too often engrains tension, over-hitting, and poor decision-making.
The Hit as a Mindset
Think of a hit session as movement meditation. Like a musician playing scales or an artist sketching shapes, the repetition isn’t mindless — it’s sacred. It sharpens your awareness, hones your balance, and tunes your nervous system to the pace of the game.
Make it part of your routine:
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Start each week with a hit — no serves, no pressure.
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Let go of outcome — focus on timing and feel.
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Use it to reset after a tough loss or stressful match.
Wrap
So yes, hit with purpose. Train hard. Compete fiercely. But never lose sight of what the game gives you when no one’s keeping score.
Because the joy of the hit isn’t just a warm-up — it’s the heart of tennis.
Take time to return to it. Often.
Eighty Years, One Day at a Time
Eighty Years, One Day at a Time
Today I turned 80. This post is more personal and reflective than usual. It marks a milestone both in my life and in world history.
It’s not a number I ever imagined myself reaching when I first picked up a racquet. But here I am — grateful, humbled, and a little in awe of the passage of time.
August 6 holds a strange double meaning for me. It’s my birthday, yes, but it’s also the anniversary of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 — a day when the world changed forever. It’s a reminder of how much power lies in human hands — to create or destroy, to divide or connect.
In many ways, tennis has been my quiet response to that dilemma. A game of structure, of rhythm, of respect. You stand 78 feet from your opponent, separated by a net — yet everything about the game is built on mutual recognition. The rules don’t work without both players buying in. The game breaks down when that trust is lost.
I’ve learned a lot over 80 years, and not all of it on the court. But tennis has been a teacher, too — patient, demanding, honest. It has taught me about timing, about resilience, about letting go of the last point and staying present for the next. And perhaps most importantly, it has kept me connected — to family, to mates, to others, to movement, to joy.
We live in a time that often feels just as precarious as 1945. New threats, new technologies, new tensions. But we also live in a time where one small act — a rally, a handshake, a quiet word of encouragement — can still mean everything.
As Tim reminded me, there’s something quietly magical about two people on a court just having a hit. There’s real beauty in the rhythm — in the simple joy of striking the ball cleanly, sweetly, again and again.
So today, as I reflect on eighty years lived and all the points still to be played, I offer this:
Play fair. Play with heart. And never take for granted the privilege of stepping onto the court, into the moment, into life.
— Tennis Whisperer
Wet and Windy Forster Tournament – A Celebration of Tennis Togetherness
Wet and Windy Seniors Forster Tournament – A Celebration of Tennis Togetherness
From the moment players zipped up their bags, the forecast signaled trouble. Flood warnings around Newcastle and statewide travel advisories loomed large. Yet, at Forster, the spirit of tennis—and of community—stood tall against the elements.
Thanks to the tireless leadership of Tournament Director Brian, and the ever-energetic Club Pro Jamie wielding a super soaker like a champion, the tournament found its rhythm against all odds.
Friday – Singles Before the Storm
Despite the looming weather, singles matches crossed the finish line on Friday, with players darting around squalls to complete play before the skies fully opened around 5pm. A brief window, but a vital one.
Saturday – Rain, Rackets, and Random Draws
Saturday brought a fresh round of unpredictability. With official matches cancelled, a spontaneous community playoff took shape. At noon, names were drawn from a hat—giving everyone, from seasoned contenders to sideline legends, an equal chance to win!
A raucous, joyful crowd gathered, fuelled by a beautifully organized lunch courtesy of Julie, Sharon, Angela, and a dedicated crew of FTC volunteers. The courts may have been wet, but the spirit was soaring.
Sunday – Optimism in the Rain
With court playability checks at 7, 9, and 11:30a, Brian remained undeterred. Puddles were squeegeed, courts were prepped, and once again, the community came together for more playful pairings and another stellar canteen lunch.
Tennis resumed briefly after lunch, with two sets played across brackets—before the skies reminded us who was really in charge.
Monday – Sunshine, Sets, and a Spirited Finish
Finally, the rain gave way. Under clearing skies and warm sun, the tournament wrapped up with a gender-age, spirited series of matches. Players young and seasoned hit the courts side by side—proof that the love of the game spans generations.
While a few unfortunate injuries touched the older men’s group, the joy of play and community connection clearly won the day.
In the End, Tennis Was the Winner
Even if many didn’t get to play their scheduled matches, friendships were rekindled, new bonds were formed, and laughter echoed louder than any thunderclap.
Massive thanks go to Brian, Jamie, Julie, Angela, Sharon, and every single volunteer who turned a rain-drenched weekend into a triumph of community, resilience, and togetherness.
Here’s to next year—rain or shine!
Neutralizing the Banger: Playing Against Heavy Topspin Baseliners
Neutralizing the Banger: Playing Against Heavy Topspin Baseliners
There’s a growing sameness on court today—younger players anchored behind the baseline, unloading with big western forehands and heavy topspin, point after point.
This style relies on rhythm, space, and time to build pressure through deep, kicking groundstrokes. It’s designed to push opponents back, control tempo, and create openings through repetition and attrition.
While effective—especially on slower surfaces—it’s also predictable. And when you understand the structure behind it, you can break it down without trying to match it shot for shot.
To play effectively against this style, you don’t need to match their pace. You need to disrupt their foundation.
Key Tactical Adjustments
1. Take Time Away
Move forward when possible. Early contact disrupts their rhythm and reduces the effectiveness of their topspin. Use compact strokes and target neutral zones to avoid unforced errors.
2. Keep the Ball Low
Topspin is most effective when the ball has space to rise and dip. By slicing, blocking, or volleying with a neutral racket face, you can keep the ball below their strike zone. Low balls limit their ability to accelerate up the back of the ball and generate heavy spin.
3. Use the Net Strategically
Approaching the net behind deep, well-placed approach shots—especially to their backhand—can force rushed passing shots. Volleys that stay low and neutralize spin make it difficult for them to respond with control or power.
4. Vary Tempo and Placement
Avoid falling into predictable cross-court banging exchanges. Mix in short angles, depth changes, and height variation. This forces the topspin player to adjust on the fly, which increases their error rate and breaks their rhythm.
Execution Over Power
Many players feel pressured to match the banging of a heavy hitter. In reality, consistency, timing, and tactical discipline are more effective. Avoid overhitting, maintain a compact swing shape, and prioritize early preparation.
Wrap
Heavy topspin baseliners can be difficult to play if you engage on their terms. By taking time away, keeping the ball low, and varying your shot patterns, you force them to adjust—something they typically don’t do well under pressure.
This approach doesn’t require extraordinary athleticism. It requires clarity, positioning, and consistent decision-making.
That’s what neutralizes power.
Pam Pulls Off a Forster Finish!
Pam Pulls Off a Forster Finish!
New partner, rain delays, and a lucky dip win… still undefeated!
Pam’s back at it again — and this time, in Forster.
While the ladies doubles were washed out, fate had a different plan. With winners drawn from a hat, Pam ended up with a brand new partner she’d only just met. No warm-up, no pre-match chemistry — just straight into action.
The result? Still undefeated.
Clearly, spontaneity is Pam’s secret weapon.
Not even Mother Nature could stall her momentum. Watch out — this wildcard pair might just become the duo to beat.
Fathers, Coaches, and the Fragile Power of Bloodlines
Fathers, Coaches, and the Fragile Power of Bloodlines in Tennis
D.H. Lawrence and Sigmund Freud made careers analyzing the undercurrents of family life—obsessions, rivalries, love twisted by proximity. But even they might have been stunned by the emotional chess match that unfolds when a parent becomes a full-time tennis coach on the pro tour.
It’s not just a family bond anymore. It’s a partnership under floodlights, fueled by expectation and exposed to global scrutiny. In that world, the line between unconditional love and professional accountability gets dangerously thin.
The Experiment: Tsitsipas and Ivanišević
In 2025, Goran signed on for a trial run with Stefanos Tsitsipas, a two-time Grand Slam finalist struggling to rediscover his form. Ivanišević, a Hall of Fame player and seasoned coach, saw potential—but he had one condition: Apostolos Tsitsipas, Stefanos’ father, had to step away.
It didn’t last long. After a few early losses and public friction over preparation and team culture, Stefanos returned to Apostolos. The emotional familiarity was too powerful to let go.
But that comfort comes with a price.
Bloodlines and Blind Spots
Tsitsipas’ career has been a case study in the dual edge of paternal coaching. Apostolos has spent a decade at his son’s side—traveling, training, and even micromanaging in-match tactics from the box. In 2024, Stefanos snapped, ejecting his father mid-match in Montreal, later blaming him for stagnation and a misfiring forehand. It was an ugly breakup. But less than a year later, he was back.
Why? Because sometimes the person who raised you is still the one who knows you best—your rhythms, fears, moods, triggers. As Apostolos put it: “I can feel when his mindset starts changing.” That kind of closeness can be irreplaceable—or suffocating.
When It Works
Casper Ruud and his father, Christian, have found a rare balance. Their relationship is relaxed, peer-like. Between matches, they bond over golf, road trips, and shared jokes. Christian coached his son as a child, stepped aside during Casper’s development in Spain, and then returned—not as a controlling figure, but as a trusted guide.
Ben and Bryan Shelton offer another model. Bryan coached Ben through childhood and college, but only joined the tour full-time in 2023. Now, he’s more hands-off: letting fitness coaches run conditioning, skipping dinners so Ben can hang out with friends. The key? Trust and space.
And Alexander Zverev, coached by his father and brother, offers comic relief: “Off the court, I spend zero time with my father. That’s a starting point.” It’s a dynamic that works for them—but not without tension.
The Pioneers: Venus, Serena, and Steffi
This isn’t just a story of sons and fathers. Long before the Tsitsipas saga, Richard Williams was crafting something revolutionary with his daughters, Venus and Serena. He had no pedigree, no federation approval. But he had a vision—and a refusal to compromise.
His relationship with his daughters wasn’t flawless, but it was grounded in empowerment. When Serena eventually added coaches like Patrick Mouratoglou, it wasn’t rejection—it was evolution. Richard never left the foundation.
Then there’s Steffi Graf, who won 22 Grand Slams with her father Peter guiding her rise. But Peter’s controlling behavior, both on and off the court—including a scandal over mismanaged earnings—eventually forced a rupture. Graf kept winning, but she did so by stepping into her independence, privately and professionally.
What’s Really at Stake
These relationships all hinge on a central tension: autonomy versus guidance. As young adults, players need to make their own decisions—to mess up, to rebound, to own their process. But when Dad is coach, critic, and emotional anchor, that space can shrink.
Tsitsipas admitted as much after the breakup: “I’ve been feeling more in control of my own emotions… That’s what gives me the freedom of feeling more alive.” But then the losses piled up, and the freedom felt less like liberation and more like isolation. So he went back.
Wrap
The father-coach role isn’t inherently doomed—or destined for success. It depends on emotional intelligence, timing, boundaries, and a shared willingness to adapt. The best partnerships evolve. The troubled ones get stuck in childhood roles, replayed on match courts.
Even Freud might have needed a toilet break to sort this one out.
You Won. Now What?
You Won. Now What?
After a match, while most coaches ask about the score, I’ve noticed you ask something else.
Most begin with, “Did you win?” You begin with something deeper: “What did you learn?”
That small shift speaks volumes. Because it’s not just about the outcome—it’s about the insight. And that’s where real growth begins.
Why does that matter?
Because results fade—but learning endures. The scoreboard doesn’t define your worth. And chasing wins alone can leave even the most successful athletes feeling unexpectedly hollow.
It’s a lesson that reaches far beyond sport: if your sense of meaning hinges only on outcomes, you’ll constantly be chasing fulfillment that slips through your fingers. But if you root yourself in growth, in learning, in purpose—then every step, win or lose, becomes worthwhile.
That’s why this conversation—about the difference between goals and purpose—matters more than ever as a life lesson.
Even the Greats Ask: “Now What?”
That quiet question—“Now what?”—echoes across every corner of elite sport.
After reaching the pinnacle, many athletes describe not joy, but confusion. Aaron Rodgers, fresh off a Super Bowl win, asked himself: “Did I aim at the wrong thing?” Michael Phelps, with 23 Olympic golds, admitted to post-Games depression: “Cool… Now what?”
Australian legends have lived the same story.
Ash Barty retired at 25 after winning Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Her words? “I’m spent… I know physically I have nothing more to give.”
Pat Rafter walked away from tennis while still at the top to prioritize family, later admitting the trophies didn’t anchor him.
Mark Philippoussis reflected that the real challenge wasn’t losing—it was figuring out who he was when tennis stopped being the answer.
Cricketers feel it too.
Adam Gilchrist spoke of the silence after retirement—the emotional vacuum that followed years of applause.
Shane Watson revealed how he had to uncouple his self-worth from his stats.
And Justin Langer, even after leading Australia to Ashes glory, found himself seeking fulfilment not in medals, but in mindfulness.
Even our greatest swimmers—Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett—opened up about post-career identity loss. “You go from being on top of the world to not knowing what your place is anymore,” said Thorpe. Hackett echoed that the real fatigue came from redefining himself without the sport.
These aren’t stories of regret. They’re stories of realignment. Because when goals are finally achieved, identity often demands a new anchor.
Scottie Scheffler’s Honest Question
That’s why Scottie Scheffler’s pre-Open admission made headlines: “Why do I want to win this tournament so bad?”
It wasn’t weakness—it was honesty. Just days before winning the Open Championship, the world’s top golfer revealed that success doesn’t truly fulfill him. Golf matters—but not more than his faith or his family. And standing on top of his sport, he dared to question the point of it all. Yet despite those doubts, he still won. Not because he needed to—but because he had decoupled outcome from identity. That’s real freedom.
We recently wrote a column about Scheffler “finding a way” in the face of challenge—and Scheffler embodies that mindset. He trains with purpose, competes without ego, and finds meaning beyond the scorecard. His journey isn’t about perfection—it’s about staying grounded in what matters most.
The Difference Between a Goal and a Purpose
Performance psychologist Jamil Qureshi explains it this way:
“A goal is something you achieve. A purpose is something you live.”
Goals are outcomes: Win the title. Break the record. Purpose is process: Wake up with meaning. Grow through effort. Serve something bigger than yourself.
Goals end. Purpose doesn’t.
What Purpose Looks Like in Real Life
Olympic rower Helen Glover once believed that winning would make her “never sad again.” But when she crossed the finish line in London, she didn’t feel joy—just relief. The gold medal was too heavy for the moment to carry.
It wasn’t until her second Games that her mindset shifted. The focus moved from Can we win? to How good can we be?
Triathlon legend Alistair Brownlee had a similar experience. After winning Olympic gold, he kept training—not for a race, but because “it’s who I am.”
This is what it looks like when identity is grounded in purpose, not outcomes.
Train With Purpose (Not Just Goals)
So what does this mean for you, the athlete, the coach, the weekend player?
It means your value isn’t tied to the win. And your success isn’t just about reaching a target—it’s about how you pursue it.
Here’s how to shift from goal-chasing to purpose-living:
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Anchor your habits in identity: Be the kind of person who shows up, no matter the result.
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Create process goals: Move from “win X” to “train with full focus every day.”
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Measure what you control: Effort. Attitude. Preparation. Not just outcomes.
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Use failure as feedback: Let setbacks reveal your growth—not just your gaps.
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Celebrate the path: Acknowledge the journey, not just the arrival.
As James Clear writes in Atomic Habits:
“You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
Wrap: What Really Stays With You
Most of us aren’t chasing Wimbledon titles or Olympic medals—but we’re all chasing something. A promotion. A PB. A personal transformation.
And when we finally reach the summit, we often whisper the same thing as the pros: “Now what?”
That’s why purpose matters. Because it’s not just about the win—it’s about why you show up every day. It’s the effort you give, the character you build, and the meaning you create in the process.
So ask yourself:
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What did I learn today?
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Did I move with purpose?
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Am I growing into the person I want to be?
Because when you live with purpose, every step counts—even the quiet ones. And that’s a win worth chasing.
Reframe to Win: the Lionesses’ Masterclass
Reframe to Win: Lionesses’ Masterclass
“We have to play Jimmy Parker, the No. 1 player in the world. I’ve never beaten him.” My doubles partner dropped this gem just before a U.S. Senior Nationals final. Pam, standing within earshot, chirped back: “Don’t you mean Jimmy Buffet?” Dave blinked. “Oh,” he said. We laughed. The mood shifted. The pressure melted. The rest is history.
That’s the power of reframing.
What Is Reframing—and Why Does It Matter?
Reframing is the art of changing your mental perspective on a challenge. Instead of seeing a match as a looming threat, you see it as a puzzle, a chance, even a joke. Pam’s offhand quip turned a fearful story into a laughable one—and with that, our tension vanished. But this isn’t just about clever lines. Let’s look at a masterclass in reframing: England’s Lionesses at Euro 2025.
“New England”: How Wiegman Reframed
Sarina Wiegman’s genius wasn’t just tactical—it was psychological. After their 2022 win, most would have called 2025 a “title defense.” Not Wiegman. She renamed the campaign: “New England.” Not a repeat. A new challenge. New energy. New purpose.
Even as key players withdrew and the team opened with a loss, Wiegman stuck to her mindset: Don’t cling to what was. Step into what can be.
What We Can Learn as Competitive Players
Reframing is more than positive thinking. It’s strategic mental repositioning. Here’s how to use it on court and in life:
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Change the narrative: From “We’re underdogs” to “They’ve got more to lose.”
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Reassign meaning: “I’ve never beaten him” becomes “He’s never played this version of me.”
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Break the tension: Humor disarms fear. Use it.
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Reset the identity: Just like Wiegman’s “New England,” redefine your mission: New season, new rules.
Takeaways You Can Use Right Now
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Pre-match nerves? Squeeze a tennis ball with your non-dominant hand for 10–15 seconds. It reduces overthinking and re-centers motor control.
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Feel overwhelmed by past losses? Visualize yourself as a clean slate player—habit expert James Clear calls this “identity-based change”.
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Partner tense before a big match? Try a light comment or quirky cue—maybe even “Jimmy Buffet.” Disrupt the spiral.
Wrap: It’s Not Always About Skill
Whether you’re facing the No. 1 in the world or coming off a painful loss, the story you tell yourself matters. Reframing isn’t denial—it’s weaponized perspective. It’s the mental jiu-jitsu that turns doubt into belief, fear into flow.
Sometimes, the best strategy isn’t hitting harder. It’s thinking different.
Manly Men’s 7 Training Recap – July 27
Manly Men’s 7 Training Recap – July 27
Solid follow-up today after yesterday’s strong win over the third-placed team. That result moved us up to third on the ladder—a great step forward. The energy carried into today’s session, where we focused on building confidence, clarity, and chemistry under pressure.
1. Learning to Really Watch the Ball
It sounds simple, but watching the ball—really watching—is a skill. Today we trained visual discipline: tracking the ball early off the strings, using peripheral vision to stay aware of opponent positioning, and refining our cross-over-step timing to maintain balance..
Key point: We don’t just react to the bounce—we read the seams to really watch the ball.
2. Volley Essentials: Eyes Front, Elbows Free
Volleys demand a unique kind of focus—your eyes must adjust from tracking the ball at a distance to reacting up close in a split second. It’s at that critical moment that many players instinctively turn their head away—but that’s exactly when you need to lock in.
We practiced:
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Keeping the ball in front of our eyes
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Starting with your elbows free of your body.
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Catching volleys out in front, with soft hands
Takeaway: Visual discipline and proper form at the net can boost volley success by up to 80%.
3. Groundstroke Control
We drilled deep-to-deep rallying—the key to controlling the point from the back of the court. The focus: consistency, depth, and body balance.
4. King of the Court: Groundies + Volleys
To tie it all together, we played King of the Court, blending volleys and baseline play into basic doubles patterns. Great energy, great reps.
5. Playing Better Doubles with the Magic Diamond
Doubles isn’t two singles players sharing a side—it’s about team movement and court coverage.
We trained in the “Magic Diamond” formation:
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Smart staggered positioning
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Poaching lanes
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Net pressure without overexposing gaps
Smart doubles starts with smart geometry.
6. Doubles Twist: St. Andrews Cross
Looking to shake things up? We introduced the St. Andrews Cross strategy to create movement confusion and open the court. It’s fun, disruptive, and keeps your opponents guessing.
7. Closing with Tiebreaker Strategy
We wrapped the session by reinforcing our tiebreak routine—staying mentally centered, using cues and breathing to lock into rhythm when the match is on the line.
For more information on strategies and drills covered today, see the following links:
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