A few weeks ago I witnessed something quite amazing. While viewing a tennis match between Serena Williams of the United States, and Sveltlana Kuznetsova of Russia, I saw a beautiful example of repositioning; its a must if we are to be successful in life.
Kuznetsova had just taken out Serena’s big sister Venus the day before at the Sony Ericsson Open, and now Serena faces her in this semi-final duo. Serena took the first set like the pro she is, no problem! The second game was going great until she hit a snag, and the Russian began to pick the mind and motions of the tough American. The fight was on, the number 4 in the world was not going away…..
The Russian wins the second set, now the final set will determine who goes to the big dance to meet number one Justine Henin of Belgium. This is where the life lesson began to manifest.
The two went back and forward with quality shots and serves, even some aces along the way. The commentations in the booth began to say some things like “Serena’s not moving her feet”, she’s getting frustrated. The Russian kept coming with quick back hands and good net play. It seemed as if Serena was losing it(and she was), but then something happened….
She REPOSITIONED HERSELF, gathering her thoughts and her techniques and emotions, she began to show why she has many tennis grand slams to her credit. She had to do something different or be taken out, and she told herself “not today”. But she had to change some things, talk takes you just so far. The fruit is in the pudding…She got her feet back moving, her posture changed, she stopped playing the victim and turned the victor back on. She won the match and went on to demolish Henin in straight sets the next day. Why? Because she repositioned herself, she took her situation in her own hands and got to work. Not complaining about the hand dealt to her; just got to work.
Serena didn’t have much time to reposition, she was in the midst of a semi-final match in the hot Key Biscayne Florida sun; it wasn’t easy……
Life can throw us into situations(and we throw ourselves in some too), and we must be able to reposition or look at a problem or situation and change it as best we can. The movement of the feet might need to change, our body language may need an adjustment, and we may need to consult our coach….but reposition.......and win the race and the little matches along the way. Blessings.....
Torrence
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