Only One Ball. Bet On Yourself.
I’m a big fan of tennis. I watch a lot of tennis. I play too but to be honest, I’m rather poor at it, all things considered. But when I do…
I’m a big fan of tennis. I watch a lot of tennis. I play too but to be honest, I’m rather poor at it, all things considered. But when I do play, I want to win. And that’s my biggest problem, winning.
One thing I discovered through all my TOT — Time On Tennis is that though it may appear that tennis success and winning is all about who plays better — it’s actually more complicated than that.
I’m a kind of contemplative type. I’ll sit for hours at a baseball game or tennis match just thinking about what’s going on. Stats, unforced errors, weather changes, umpire styles … through all this time spent, I’ve noticed one very astounding thing — I call it the “only one ball” theory.
Sampras got me onto it. He was an amazing player. GOAT in my boat. But that argument aside, he did one small thing that I think made a big difference in his game. I noticed that unlike other players, he went to the service line with only one ball.
Yes, only one ball. Other players stuffed one, up their short leg or stuck one to velcro on their backside. But not “Pistol” Pete. He walked to the line with just one ball and tossed it up there like he wasn’t going to get another one, another chance.
Pete Sampras consistently ranks as the top guy all-time for tennis serving. Technique, explosiveness, accuracy, spin, consistency. But I would put up his success serving to using — only one ball.
As one astute tennis commentator put it;
No player appeared to get himself out of trouble by utilizing the serve more than Sampras — first or second serve. Ja Allen.
Boris Becker, not one to give many compliments said this;
Sometimes I think he forgot the difference between his first and second serve.”
What’s going on here is something important, very important in my opinion. I’ve seen Theim become an “only one baller” too and have success. What is it? It’s commitment — both of body and soul.
We all will succeed more if we don’t keep in the back of our mind doubts, fears, ways out, cope outs. Go all in. Not in a silly fashion but if you’ve done the work and are prepared — go for it. Either you run the day or the day runs you. Poker players going all in, no matter what the size of their hole cards win more often than not.
There is some magic to commitment, so much unforeseen will occur if you align yourself mentally into that committed space (both mentally and physically — the ball representing physically your spirit, it being your totem).
This quote is attributed to many different writers, Goethe most noteably but it rings true and sings out loud the “only one ball” theory.
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.
Success in all endeavors requires an only one ball mentality. Belief. It all starts there. Until YOU start believing, you won’t be achieving. Don’t give yourself an out. Put yourself into that corner — then go baby go!
If you are a writer — have an “only one pen” mentality. If you are starting a new business — have an only one loan mindset. If you are a new mother — have an only one child outlook. Whatever you do, only one do!
There is no other way outside of chance and lady luck. And we all know that a good life is how we go beyond chance and move necessity.
Be like Pete — walk up to that line and rip it like your life is on the line. You may fail but hey, you’ll get a second serve! And then rip that one too. Pete did — everyone feared his second MORE than his first serve.