Adieu Martina, Andre and Michael

Its been a US open of farewells. The result was the same as expected by all, but the farewells were not. Some were tearful, like Andre's and some were sighs of relief like Martina's, and the last one was speculative.

While I have followed the Tennis legends closely through their career, I will not boast of the same for Michael. Andre's interview made fascinating reading. The career of a brash young man who grew up on court and discovered himself, his love and his respect for everything else. Like Jim Courier said he knew how to win the crowds over, which Pete never knew. Andre to me has Part 1 and 2. I will attempt not to talk about the cliche's but about the awesomeness of doing what you love for a living.

How true is that, its something that is true of a few blessed souls. For all of us trapped in a soulless existence, blaming circumstance and everything else, sportsmen and women will continue to be marvels. They will continue to haunt our nights.

Martina, the greatest as in the words of Billie Jean King. "Why did you come aback to play the US this year they asked her", - " I had to prove something to myself " she says, after uncountable grandslams singles, doubles, mixed doubles,  masters titles, ATP ...and what not, she still had to prove something to herself. Do you remember your first win in 1974 - er was it 74 or 73- I don't remember who but if you tell me it will come back.

They are the avatars of our generation, people who do what they love. When will we do it? Work for yourself and not for the world. Do something because you still wanted to prove that one more thing to yourself. Standing alone on the courts knowing that you wanted it real bad.

These three embody the human spirit of what one can do if you love what you do and desire to excell at it, yeah we all knew it, but how does one get down to doing it ? It can be done, I have no doubts, dispel all the fear in your mind, get down to what you want to do, stop worrying about failures, keep hammering the nail or sawing the wood, stop not even if your arms ache, look up only when your done, it will be a good thing.

 

Doubt and fear are the biggest enemies, hard work and perseverance are the answers. Don't worry about failures, the Aussie's remember the Aussie's. The dismal hockey team, what's wrong with them - you cant win a match with desire all the hardwork needs to happen before hand, on the field instinct takes over. The games of today need perfect synchronization of the body, mind and the soul. Strategy, mental strength and belief in ones self. Easier said than done. But sport does teach you a lot. Lets start learning!!!