TENNIS' FIELD OF DREAMS...

TENNIS' FIELD OF DREAMS...

It's another rendition of Tennis' Field Of Dreams this fortnight. All our sport's best and brightest stars. So many beautiful and inspiring stories all conjoin together at the same point, like the spokes of a world sized wheel, this week, they all meet  in Paris.

Someone, likely many ones, will have life changing moments this week.. Break out victories or legacy cementing runs. Nonames will become household names come some time next week. It's easy to take for granted just how outstanding that is; to be associated with a profession that affects lives so dramatically each and every week.

 

 

Though one chooses to play the French Open, one does not just sign up for it. One signed on and signed up for the journey a long long time ago, to this different way of life. To be a professional athlete. It was a singular decision followed by a myriad of choices. How to play, how to train, where to train and under who are only a few...One sacrifices a safe normal upbringing for a chance to be great at something; a something that rewards its greatest with unimaginable  fame fortune and riches. To those on the right side of the velvet rope, those names and faces we all know, the choice appears to have been the right one. To all those who's spokes never quite reached places like Paris this week, you would have to ask them for yourself

But it's not only the players we know who are here to make their mark. There's the never ending coaching carousel; Who's methods will reign supreme these weeks? Which country's players will have the deepest runs in Paris? And why? National Training Developmental Centers  are doing battle these weeks; whose system will assert itself as the one to be emulated? Which racket technology and equipment will prove superior? Is there a hot new frame and what string was that hot new player using? Did the person designing the stencil or logo on your hot new product do quality work, for you will likely never get exposure like this again.

Whose shoes and attire will catch the most eyes? Will those putting up the big sponsor money see the big return on their big investments? If so, the tour is healthy financially, if not, who will take their place, if anyone? Three networks are vying for our attention here in the States, whose broadcast will carry the day? Who in the booth will make their mark on the viewing audience? McEnroe can't commentate for ever. Who is  making the loudest strides to be his heir apparent and take his prized place behind the mic? So many sub-competitions taking place below the main action.. And who amongst all us wordsmiths will be writing the most gripping copy?

This is competition at its purest level, even away from the brights lights and rolling cameras. There only so many lines to be called in the finals, who will get the prized chairs? Only so many VIP seats to be ushered to, only one seat on Center Cort to umpire from, and only one ball kid gets to be the one who hands the champion the winning ball. We all want it be that one, who will be the fortunate ones these weeks? This is not a process of luck like the lottery...This is where hard work meets opportunity, and there is no better time in our sport to peak than these weeks of a Grand Slam.

I stare at my screen and wonder. When will  be my moment? Have I done enough? Will this be my time when I finally type that elusive combination of letters and words that stops you the reader cold. Will this be my week? Have I done the work to deserve to be widely read? Only time will tell...