How Tennis Has Prepared Me for Covid-19

Good Morning,

I hope that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe during this unprecedented time. In one sense, what a unique opportunity this is to catch up on some time with our families, get more organized, watch some extra shows and movies, read articles and books, rest our bodies and minds from the daily grind that a corona-virus-less world would never allow. That being said, I miss you all and I miss the game we share. I feel as though through tennis, I am able to help you not only master a skill but learn things about ourselves beyond the game… I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this.

Moving forward, how do we use this game we love so much to help us deal with these trying times?…

1.) Love means nothing to a tennis player…

Be tough. Use the grit you use when facing a tough opponent when you are feeling down, or a little amped from being stuck inside. Remember your epic wins and how hard you know you can fight on a tennis court. Apply that here and live it every day. You are a warrior on the court, and you can be a warrior in life, especially in these most trying of challenges.

2.) Establish solid routines…

Enjoy this time to go off grid a little but also establish some staples to keep you healthy and mentally grounded like when you were training. Eat well to keep your immune system strong and to feel good. I make my smoothie and bulletproof coffee every morning and plan out healthy meals. Exercise and stretch until that glorious day we can get back on the court… think about how your opponents probably aren’t working as hard as you and this is your chance to surpass them! Plan out an intellectually stimulating activity every day, whether it is an hour of reading or watching an academy-nominated movie. I will keep in touch with tennis reading and insights I have as well as movies I am watching (one of my favorite leisure activities) and reviews of the ones I recommend.

3.) Play long points…

We talk about the importance of being calm and working the point with consistency, but also being aggressive when executing your final finishing blow to win the point you constructed with strategy and execution. During this time, the meals and healthy activities you construct, the research behind the movies and books you read are the consistency piece. The aggressive, ending of the point piece is stepping out the door for a run or walk, making the decision on a meal and starting to cook, or making a decision on a movie and getting everyone together to watch and reflect. Put thought behind these activities and pull the trigger on your great ideas.

I miss you all so much and miss how so much of my life was built around our time on the court together. A major part of what drives me during this time is the thought of getting back out there with you all and being grateful for our time together in a way no of us could have been without such an experience. I look forward to hearing from you if you have any questions on tennis-related matters, good recipes (I will defer to my girlfriend Sofia), or places to take epic walks. I will also be offering some online instruction and have an idea to use Mario Tennis to build some strategy lessons, so stay tuned for that.

I am thinking of you. A big part of what brings me comfort and drive during this time is knowing I have such a wonderful community to work my way back to and stay strong for no matter what lies ahead.

Take care,

Tom