From: stamm@lure.latrobe.edu.au
Newsgroups: rec.sport.tennis
Subject: Re: To be the best or to do your best
Date: 30 Jul 92 02:07:45 GMT
Organization: VAX Cluster, Computer Centre, La Trobe University


>>I'm not sure what this implies about very low-ranked players (the ones that
>>NEVER go above 50, say) - either they don't really love the game, or, if they
>>do, then they don't have much pride in themselves (if you've done all you can
>>and you still can't win then have the sense to get out - play club tennis, or
>>coach.) That seems a bit harsh,I guess, but it's how I feel. I am trying to be
>>open-minded, but I just can't see how I can respect a player who is never
>>going to improve.
> 
>>                           - Milena
> It's not only harsh but also illlogical. You sound a little bit like
> John McEnroe's mother who thinks nobody should play professional tennis if
> he is not as talented as John. 

Wow, did I sound that bad, eh? Well, at least you didn't say Hitler's mother;
I kind of feel I have more in common with her. :-0

> I hope you are the best at your job otherwise
> according to your logic, you should have quit already. IMO, the important thing
> is whether they have tried their best or not(that's true for any other
> profession as well). Playing tennis is their job and they are making a living
> at it. I believe most of them are trying their best and it just turns
> out for some of them, their best is in top 50 and for others, their
> best is not that good. To say those players either don't
> love game or don't have much pride in themselves is an insult
> to them. 

We are talking about international tennis here. I mean, I love to sing in
the shower but I wouldn't start a career in opera or theatre where OTHER
people have to buy tickets to watch me (or, worse yet, listen to me).
I like to watch players who are interesting. I couldn't possibly define
exactly what qualities an interesting player would possess, but I think
that some growth or improvement in a player's game is a part of it, and
that is normally reflected in an improvement in ranking.

Also, in the original article I was talking about what I thought makes
a player "attractive". No doubt most of the players on the circuit can
make a decent hit at the ball, be good enough technically, but the top
players have a magic about them. Can't put my finger on it, but
I reckon that it is correlated with one or all of the following:
                 rank (or improvement in rank)
                 win:loss record
                 money earned

> Please don't try to be open-minded, just be open-minded.
I've tried again.
I still feel OK about what I said previously, although I could
have said it with a bit more consideration.
I may not have been NICE, but I was honest.
> I hope this is not too harsh but well, it's how I feel.
hey, didn't I say that? Are you pissed-off with me? 
>                                             Quan Xiong
>                                             ph412000@brownvm.brown.edu

Thanks for your thoughts anyway. It's the silence that follows some of
my comments that really worries me. (Does that mean that everyone agrees
OR everyone disagrees and is too polite to bother OR everyone is indifferent
OR noone read the posting OR...?)

                         - Milena
Newsgroups: rec.sport.tennis