Thoughts on the top men’s and women’s open/pro racquetball play leads to Phar Lap thoughts!
Most of the time one player has risen to the top and the others are chasing that athlete. The number one spot is not easy. Not only do you get everyone’s best effort but as the others struggle to get to the finals, the top seed plays more matches. Playing more matches takes it toll. Physically it becomes a challenge as the athlete will never be injury free. There will always be some little boo-boo to bug the performance.
Beyond the physical is the mental challenge. Concentration and dealing with challenges such as poor reffing, poor lighting, poor courts, etc etc all have to be dealt with. Now add the fact it is easier to be the hunter than the hunted. People can say they get bored watching the same people win, but I think that is not the winning athlete’s fault. That is the challengers’ fault.
One of my favorite movies was Phar Lap. Phar Lap was a horse and the trainer used all these modern training techniques. When the horse died the trainer got another horse. He was training the horse, and using those same techniques and one morning after training the new horse he came into the house for breakfast and started sobbing.
When his wife asked him what was wrong he said, “I wasn’t me, it was the horse!” I was the only one in the movie theater laughing very loudly!!
Next time you hear a coach or someone tell you how great they are because of their players’ multiple wins, think of Phar Lap!
Granted a good coach paired with a gifted athlete will have success but coaches, stay humble!
Remember, Phar Lap! It often is the horse, maybe more than the trainer!!