The US Open Men's Final Constantly Going Up Against The First NFL Sunday Of The Year Is One Of The Dumbest Things That Happens In Sports https://t.co/JhGUbwBmDs
I can speak in front of an audience of a thousand people or in a TV studio on a broad range of topics without any preparation and without a twinge of fear, but yesterday I had my first real experience with stage fright.
I found myself on a tennis court in a live streamed professional tournament with a few hundred in the crowd. Throughout the match, my wrist, arm and body literally froze with the expected negative outcomes. I had difficulty breathing, and it was not a fitness issue. It got a bit better as the match progressed, but I was not able to overcome it.
I regularly play with mid-20-year-old D1 college players and recently retired pros on a familiar court with no audience with none of the same symptoms.
It was a very humbling experience that gives one even more respect for the pros who play for a living in front of the cameras and the crowds. We forget that they also need to manage the challenges of their carefully examined personal lives, their break ups, their emotions, financial stresses, and their mental health, family, and other challenges.
Tennis is one of the few sports where the athlete is out there alone in front of the klieg lights for hours operating with incredible intensity with barely a bathroom break. And they might have been awakened in the middle of the previous night for a drug test while staying far from home.
For all but the top players, they also struggle financially as they manage their small businesses working to recruit and retain talent, manage expenses, balance their budgets, and pay their taxes on time.
Whatever respect we already have for these incredible athletes, it is not enough. They deserve more of our applause and appreciation.
@NBAonTNT @espn@Gaardsy someone please talk about the plus/minus differential between Mike Conley and Donta D over the last 8 games. Donte comes in, we spiral continually
Not a bball guy, but donte d came in the game when twolves on a run twice, and left game tied. Both times. What is his plus/minus like nhl would measure? Seemed like a flow momentum killer….. @ESPNNBA @NBAonTNT
Not a bball guy, but donte d came in the game when twolves on a run twice, and left game tied. Both times. What is his plus/minus like nhl would measure? Seemed like a flow momentum killer….. @ESPNNBA @NBAonTNT
@HennepinCourt summoned to start jury duty 12/7, how do I find out my group number and status? I called message line as instructed but not clear what to do. Please help me out!
@MardyFish is RAFA really right handed playing left???? If so, is his athleticism and accomplishments in not just tennis but all of sports actually under appreciated?
@nba very casual fan here, but are the rockets and warriors really off until Sunday night? It is Wednesday today. That is ridiculous, this is why I lose interest