Novak Djokovic played unbelievably on the third set on Sunday.
Monday, not the same.
On Sunday, after the loss of the first two sets and his first serve on the third set, he finally found his Zone, his best operating ways. He outclassed Nadal for eight games in a row.
On Monday, he was still looking for it. The perfection he had achieved on Sunday was gone, his confidence waning and his attempts to glory futile, his double fault to end the match a sample of his struggling ways.
Never mind that Nadal has a dodged determination to ground you into the ground. His topspin deliveries make life miserable unless you are a Zen Master and in a Zone of your own.
What happens to top players that makes them so feeble and distant, apparently, from their achieved heights?
For one, the Zone is so delicate, so pure, that the player reaches it when least expected. Secondly, staying on it is a matter of calmness, serenity, a somewhat godly state.
Those who understand the Zone and don’t violate its rules are in it more often.
Those who rely on thinking, on expressing rough emotions, on coming down to earth, loose the Zone more often than not.
It’s a matter of permission. Do you allow yourself to get emotional, to react instead of act?
Therefore, if you want the glory, on your emotional states, clamp down. No permission. You don’t even have to fight yourself. Just say no and don’t do it.
The rules of the Zone are simple, look, don’t think, stay calm. Execute your strokes with physical passion, but, as a spirit, as a person, stay serene.
Let time take it’s time.
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Jun 12, 2012
mark
says:i too thougtNovak layed unbelievable in that third set but something couldn’t be right for Rafa to lose 8 successive games on clay. Later on he siad the wet court and balls could not allow his usual top spin shot to spin with speed. That explained a lot. Shows you.. .take 5% off a top pro’s game and he wil lnot win a game. How thin the margins are from “world class” to also ran.
It wasn’t a classic or even good final I.M.H.O. both players made far too many unforced errors. How many times did each man lose his serve? Each seemd to be broken almost at will. Maybe they were both a little tense with what was at stake?
Now to Wimbledon.
Jun 12, 2012
David Spain
says:I was wondering what it took to play well like that. I often display unnecessary emotional outbursts if playing poorly, and coincidentally never seem to play up to my potential – maybe they are linked then. I will try this… Thank you.
Jun 13, 2012
Rafael Vital Jr.
says:Thanks Oscar,
The way I see it, the Joker plays either arrogantly/stubbornly or he tries to force perfection in his game. Rarely are conditions perfect when playing tennis so demanding (forcing) perfection in one’s game is like saying he can play in the zone on a conscious level – it will never happen. We must allow divine forces to take over and this will only happen if we play with passion, confidence, patience, and deep belief that somehow we will prevail in the end.
Nadal’s game is more primitive in terms of technique, but he plays with passion, confidence, patience, and deep belief. And, above all, his conditioning is superb.
Jun 14, 2012
Blair Abee
says:I have been able to increasingly get into the Zone on the court. I attribute it to my practice of meditation which increasingly allow me to “Peace, be still”. This what all spiritual masters advise as a way to attain higher, Christ, consciousness which is, I think, what the Zone is all about–a state of grace. Then using meditative technique to achieve a state of peacefulness on the court seems to lead to, as Oscar says, “hitting from the soul”. My biggest obstacle? Remembering to remember. Lifetime lesson.
Jun 19, 2012
Chuck
says:I liked Desmond Oon’s little joke:
“It’s been said that tennis is 90% mental, so what’s the other 10 percent?……. It’s also mental!”
Aug 9, 2012
Poly
says:If you want to become a GREAT MATCH PLAYER go to my chenanl 2knowfun2 and watch the video World Class Tennis part1/2. This video will teach you in detail how to become a great match player. I have explained everyything in a very easy way, so everyone will understand.