Hey tennis fans,
It has been a lengthy period since my last post. I was reading an Us Weekly column and they said one of the keys to stardom is limiting the flow of data, kind of like economics: lower the supply, increase the demand! Did it work? Is the excitement level high to see what the tour has revealed in the last month?!
Well first thing is first and lets talk about a positive. That would be the week in Johannesburg. Louis and I arrived a week beforehand which allowed some good preparation. Johannesburg has a lot of altitude, in fact its over 6000ft. I grew up in Joburg so I am more use to the balls flying but I have been out the country for several years now so it took me some time to get use to again. The keys for me in the altitude were the following:
– use the altitude to my advantage on the serve. This meant a good first serve percentage and using bounce serves a lot, especially the kicker on the second
– looking to be the player to control points, being in charge
– solid returns with big targets
Now looking at these points I couldn’t help but realize the obvious, that fits completely into my game plan for all matches. I realized that the altitude in fact just added as a helping factor in my game.
There was a lot of hype about the event, it is the only ATP tournament South Africa has so a lot of people were not only excited about the tournament but really wanted the South African players to do well. I was definitely a little bit nervous during my first match, there was a lot of expectation not only from the fans but from myself as well. It was a three set match that helped me get the feel for things, and I started playing better as the match went on. From that point on I really enjoyed myself out there, the crowd was great, it felt I was back in Champaign, ILL with my Illini gear on battling another college in a dual match! I responded well to situations all week and used the crowd to create a great atmosphere out there. Each match I focused on what I needed to do, and at the same time let go a little and enjoy the experience as well.
The finals was a close match. It was both our second ATP Tour final and I will say I was a little nervous starting out and it showed. Devvarman got off to a better start than I did. But I turned things around and really focused what I wanted to do out there, and even though I lost the first set I felt I had started playing good tennis. I kept trusting myself and prevailed in the end. It was an incredible feeling, holding that trophy on home soil. My whole family was there, as well as my friends. They in fact were there the whole week supporting me. Winning my first title and doing so in South Africa was very special.
As tennis goes the turn around was quick. I would have loved to spend a few days in South Africa after the tournament but my flight was booked for the very next day to Chicago. I was at my ’home away from home’ for three days before heading to Memphis (where I am now) I had a tough first round match which came down to a point or two – as is often the case with indoor matches. Its never easy losing, but you have to keep your chest up, learn what you can and use as motivation to keep working hard and getting better. I teamed up with Australian Ashley Fischer (I can see Craig having some comment about South Africans and Australians in the same team) and we have played two good matches so far. We play our semi final match tomorrow afternoon.
Its a tricky week this, as I will not play indoors again till at least after the US Open. Next week I head back outside to Delray Beach and then there are the first two Masters Series back to back, in Indian Wells and Miami. I really enjoy both weeks and am looking forward to them. They are tough tournaments, the best in the world will be there. One just has to have that trust in their game, and mentally put yourself in the frame of mind that lets you compete at your best. Sometimes you will lose matches, but if you keep that mindset you will come out on top more often than not.
Till next time,
Kevin