So, I’ve been trying to get my tennis game a bit more serious lately, or at least, less embarrassing. I started watching more pro matches, you know, hoping some of that skill would just magically rub off on me through the screen. That’s how I stumbled upon Ajla Tomljanovic properly.
I’d seen her name around, but then I watched a few of her matches back-to-back during one of the Slams. What really struck me wasn’t just her hitting the ball – lots of players do that well – but how she seemed to just dig in. Point after point, even when she was down, she just kept battling. It looked exhausting, honestly, but kinda inspiring for a weekend hacker like me who sometimes gives up on a point if I have to run too much.
Trying to copy that grit
Okay, so I thought, maybe that’s something I can actually try to copy. Not her perfect forehand, because let’s be real, that’s not happening overnight, but the mental side. The not-giving-up thing.
So, next time I went out to play with my buddy, I made a conscious effort:
- Chase down balls I’d normally just watch fly by.
- Try to reset mentally after losing a stupid point instead of moaning about it for the next two games.
- Focus on just getting one more ball back over the net, especially in longer rallies.
Easier said than done, let me tell you. My legs felt like lead pretty quickly. Chasing everything down meant I was often out of position for the next shot. And staying positive? Ha! After shanking three balls in a row, it’s hard not to revert back to my usual grumpy self on court.
Watching Her Play Differently
It made me watch her matches differently too. I started noticing the little things – how she composed herself between points, how she reacted to errors, how she managed her energy during long matches. It wasn’t just about hitting winners; it was about managing the whole messy business of a tennis match.
I saw her deal with injuries and setbacks too, which kind of puts my own struggle with a dodgy serve into perspective. Seeing someone at that level push through makes you think, okay, maybe I can push myself a little harder too.
So, did I suddenly become a tennis warrior? Absolutely not. I still shank balls, get tired, and definitely complain. But I think I try a bit harder now. I try to hang in rallies longer. Sometimes it even works. Watching Ajla didn’t give me her backhand, but it did give me a little reminder that sometimes, just refusing to quit is half the battle. Still mostly losing to my buddy, though, gotta be honest.
