Your Call, 3.11

To those of you who read the previous post and comments, I say: Now do you know what I mean whenI say that Roger Federer is "the gift that keeps giving?" It's extraordinary to me that Federer issues, and Federer vs. Rafael Nadal issues, can so consistently generate such a large number of opinions, including inevitably fresh, original ones - not to mention some of the best quips you'll read, anywhere. Did you catch that one from Vetmama: Although I'm rather fond of his current visage, it almost makes me want Goofy/Scruffy/Pooka Shell/Ponytail Fed back again.

Y'all leave no stone unturned, it's true; but I'm also beginning to suspect there's a kindly wizard out there who keeps place new stones in the field overnight, preparing the field for for the next day's labors. I want to get going on another red-meat post about coaching (an especially appropriate subject now, right?), and I'll do that shortly after posting this Your Call.

As you know, I spent a fair amount of time catching up with my pal Heinz Gunthardt last weekend. Y'all know Heinz was a long-time coach of Steffi Graf, and he's surfaced here and there as a coach in subsequent years (he's worked with, among others, Jelena Dokic and Dinara Safina). What you may not know is he's also tested the waters many players, but as he doesn't need a coaching gig, he won't just sign on with anyone in order to start collecting a paycheck. He has to feel it's a good fit, via a trial run, and if he's not comfortable he's inclined to say, "No hard feelings, thanks for thinking of me, but I don't think this is going to work out."

Anyway, I thought I'd share an anecdote about an experience Heinz had with a well-known WTA player who shall remain unnamed for obvious reasons. It offers a pretty good window on the kind of communication and understanding that must exist in a fruitful coaching relationship.

So Heinz begins a supervised workout with this player, and as she takes up her receiving position opposite a practice partner, she asks Heinz, "Where should I return, forehand or backhand?"

Heinz cocks an eyebrow and pauses for a moment, thinking. He finally replies. "That's your decision. Return where your instincts tell you to. . . Wait, step over here for a moment."

The player walks over, and Heinz gives her a little talk: You have to follow your gut feelings if you're really going to play at your best level. The trick in tennis is to have your game flow from a confident place inside you. The young lady listens, he goes on. You have to get out of your own way, mentally, and the only way you'll ever do that is by learning to make your own decisions, and get comfortable with the choices, win or lose. Don't worry, you'll process the results of those decisions and the information will lead to making the changes you need. Finally, you get to a place where your game flows naturally and your mind is free of questions and doubts and - win or lose - you're not confused or tormented by second-guessing yourself.

The girl nods, goes back and plays a point. She then goes to the appropriate side to receive the next serve, looks at Heinz, and asks: "Where should I return, forehand or backhand?"

Coaching. It can be a tough business.

- Pete