Sport brings about the best and worst in people.
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American sports psychologist Jim Loehr has worked with some of tennis’ greatest competitors including Pete Sampras, Monica Seles and Jim Courier.
He became fascinated about separating the best players from all the others.
For six years he studied what the top tennis players did differently between points.
For Loehr, it was the moments between points that proved pivotal.
It was the players who had rituals to relax and refocus between points that won.
When you think about it, very little varies between professional tennis players.
They have access to the same services – physiotherapists, trainers, coaches, dietitians and weight rooms.
When high-ranking tennis players lose, they often reference their mental game, not their physical prowess.
It’s those moments in between points that you react. You can smash your racquet, yell at the ground or your coach, or you can breathe, reflect and get ready for the next point.
Serena Williams and Roger Federer get this 99 per cent of the time. Something goes wrong – they reflect and then get ready to go again. This is something Nick Kyrgios is starting to discover – and in turn is now in the top 20 for men’s tennis.
Australian Rules Football has similar moments. Breaks in play are perfect for a reaction.
The beauty of AFL is the crowd’s participation. When a goal is kicked or tackle laid, the crowd helped to get the result.
If the umpire misses a moment in the game, the crowd or players will tell them all about it.
At a local level the crowds are no longer in the thousands that were experienced in the 1980s and later.
Those who attend the games are passionate and loyal to their local club, and those refereeing don’t do it for the money.
That’s why sportsmanship is so important. A certain level of respect must exist for the integrity and longevity of the game.
The Green Armband Initiative this weekend is a great example of showing support for the umpires and officials, and reminding players that abusive behaviour won’t be tolerated.
It’s a chance to remind players and spectators to take a moment, recover and then go back in harder for the next play. Because that is a sign of a true champion.
