Do you ever yearn for the time of American tennis supremacy, when you could tune into any Grand Slam semi final and you’d be able to cheer on a fellow American. Well now you can relive those glory day in whole new way. On February 20th, four of the US’s former top players, Andre Agassi, James Blake, Jim Courier and Andy Roddick, compete in the fan friendly Powershares Series at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Since 2005, retired players, age 30 and above, have taken part in a five week tournament season. The tournament consists of a one set semi-finals and a one-set final Championship match. Traveling throughout the country, this tennis circuit has 12 major city stops. At each stop you will see a different group of tennis legends competing, such as Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras to name a few.
With the likes of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer currently playing their trade, it can be easy to forget just how accomplished and entertaining players such as Lendl, McEnroe, Agassi were during their time. The four competing this Thursday in Houston, have an abundance of experience on court and have never been shy to discuss what has made them successful. They have always been very candid in press conferences, interviews or even in their autobiographies. If you decide to stop in and check out the event in Houston, or any of the other stops, it helps to remember what made these players so prolific during their playing careers. It wasn’t only their talent, but also their mental toughness and unique mindsets that made them great. Whether you play tennis or not, these four offer advice worth noting when it comes to life, both on and off the court.
“What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose.” – Andre Agassi
Agassi has always been quite an eccentric guy but no one can ever second guess his toughness on the court. When you’re out there defending a title or battling in a first round match, motivation often comes from not disappointing yourself and those who helped you get there. Considering Agassi has gone through his fair share of ups and downs during his career and personal life, there’s probably no one better who can attest to this mindset being true.
“I’ve always, for whatever my faults have been, felt like I’ve never done anything halfway.” – Andy Roddick
Former No. 1 player Andy Roddick retired after his last match of the 2012 US Open, but no one can say he didn’t leave it all on the court nearly every time out. After his loss to Juan Martin Del Potro in the fourth round of that US Open he has shifted his focus to his foundation, the Andy Roddick Foundation and his job as an analyst for Fox Sport 1. Looking back on his career, he is convinced that he always gave it everything he had.
“I really try not to read the tennis articles, because a lot of times they’re guessing at how a player is feeling, and I like to keep myself kind of open minded about how I’m feeling, rather than have someone else explain to me what’s going on.” – Jim Courier
Courier, also a former No.1 player, holds the record for being the youngest player to reach the final of all four Grand Slam tournaments. Being able to accomplish so much by the age of 23 speaks to the level of mental fortitude he possessed early on. While most 23 year olds are just trying to find their feet in the world, Courier figured he’d forgo the growing pains and etch his name in the tennis history books instead. Though there may not be articles being written about you, anyone can relate to these words. No one knows you better than yourself.
“Don’t worry about winning every match or about your regional ranking – just worry about getting better.” – James Blake
After the 2013 US Open (seems like a good time for an American player to retire) Blake called it quits on an impressive career that almost ended before it even got going. In 2004, he broke his neck during a match in Rome, lost his father to stomach cancer, and came down with a case of shingles that paralyzed half of his face. This would have kept down a lesser man but by the end of 2006 he was ranked No. 4 in the world after this shocking incident in 2004. If there is anyone who knows the importance of simply focusing on getting better each time out it’s James Blake.
