So apparently I’m not living up to my potential as a human being, as I’ve been encouraged to reread that old chestnut, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. Truth be told, it’s a pretty spectacular, life-changing book. And as I flip through the dog-eared pages, I’m reminded of the four golden rules to live by I thought were just so super awesome at the time that, since, I’ve conveniently dropped by the wayside on my next journey toward becoming an even more super awesome person.
Never one to be accused of not learning my lesson (twice), I’m applying these little nuggets of wisdom to my life. Okay, my tennis life. Which, as the days wear on, are slowly, inevitably, becoming one and the same. What can these teach me with five tournaments going this week?
Agreement #1: Be impeccable with your word
This rule means don’t speak ill of yourself (no problem!) or others (D’oh!).
So this week, free passes go out to the following: Lleyton Hewitt, Ivan Ljubicic, Patty Schnyder, Marion Bartoli, Goran Ivanisevic and Giorgio Galimberti.
Agreement #2: Don’t Take Anything Personally
So when I’m watching Sam Querrey hand German qualifier Denis Gremelmayr only his second tour win in a year in San Jose, or top seed Flavia Pennetta dump out of Bogota to Betina Jozami (who?), I won’t react as if they did it on purpose to screw with my predictions, spitting in the face of someone who champions them selflessly despite whatever anyone else says (and they say, oh believe me).
I also won’t hold it against Gilles Simon for finally playing up to his abilities and, after taking out Novak last week in Marseille, ousting my second fave Janko Tipsarevic in Rotterdam.
Agreement #3: Don’t Make Assumptions
I won’t assume Lleyton’s glory days are getting further and further in the rear view mirror. Ditto Tommy Haas. Or that Amelie Mauresmo has grown terrified by the mere sight of a net, regardless of who’s on the other side (get it together girl, it’s all in your head! …hypothetically).
Finally, Agreement #4: Always Do Your Best
Which, if I’m reading this right, is just a get out of jail card for me to trash talk anyone and everyone. Instead, I’ll offer a big high five to Dominika Cibulkova, who’s stepping up her game quite nicely in Doha, scalping her idol Venus Williams. Ditto Nicolas Almagro, who’s running 9 in a row in Buenos Aires. Props to wildcards Robin Haase and Mariana Duque Marino, in it to win it in Rotterdam and Bogota, respectively. And to Robby Ginepri, reaching his second straight quarterfinal in San Jose.
After yesterday’s vicious bloodbath of anyone with a number in front of their names, today’s menu offers up some tasty match-ups, including good buddies Roddick/Fish and Ginepri/Blake in San Jose, Haase/Llodra and Seppi/Soderling in Rotterdam, Nalbandian/Starace and Almagro/Chela in Buenos Aires, Errani/Llagostera Vives and Muller/Jozami (who?) in Bogota, and a slew of good stuff in Doha, from Sharapova/Wozniaki and Li/Jankovic to Cibulkova/Radwanska and Zvonareva/Bammer.
Overall, a pretty sweet Friday. On that, I think we can all agree. But hey, if you feel like griping, I’m all ears.
