Local Legend vs National
I remember walking into one of my first tournaments. In came the rock star guys, the guys in the finals all the time. All eyes were on the top dogs.
In walked me . No respect does not even cover it. I had no clue what I was doing and got wiped out early! Very early! To be fair this guy who pummeled me was 3rd ranked in the world as a pro and I knew I could beat him. Little did I know how long it would take me!!
Two years later I found myself in the finals against that guy, but I digress.
I got pretty good and was one of the top two in my city. However, I did not win a match in big tournament that brought in people outside the city for two years! Two years is a long time to take first round whippings! I realized these things.
1. I was a football player, not a racquetball player and that had to change.
2. I had to get help so I could address #1. I found a great trainer.
3. I had to beat the mental thing called the past! If I focused on the past beat downs when I played people it was all over.
4. I had to watch the best to beat the best. No video in those days and no internet of course. 8mm camera and projector and I burned literally a lot of film frames trying to stop and watch frame by frame.
5. Anyone who did beat me I watched in the next rounds to see how someone played them. I picked up a few tricks that way.
6. To win locally I had to play the best. That meant playing pros and nationally ranked players every chance I got.
In singles I finally beat the #8 seed and got to the second round. Then I beat that guy and got to the quarters. Yep, won that one and then I caught a break. The number one seed got sick and could not play. I won that match playing a lesser player and played the first guy I had ever played in a tournament, only this time in the finals!
Two years of training and learning led to “nobody to somebody” moment! It can for anyone if they stay the course, aim high and believe!