20 Jul Make A Great Story
Make A Great Story
This year’s Wimbledon was a thrilling spectacle. Barbara Kejcikova’s triumph over the crowd favorite, Jasmine Paolini, in a fiercely competitive three-set match was a sight to behold. With her infectious smile and unwavering love for the game, Paolini was a joy to watch, regardless of the outcome. Her spirit and passion for tennis were genuinely inspiring, making the match a truly entertaining experience for all.
The men’s draw initially looked like anyone’s to win, but we should have known better. Carlos Alcaraz, the eventual winner, had a challenging road to the finals. He lost the first set to Tommy Paul and Medvedev and was down two to one against Tiafoe in earlier matches. However, the final against Djokovic differed because Alcaraz was extraordinary when it mattered most. The fact that he won 84% of the points when he made his first serve paints a picture of domination. Well done, young Mr. Alcaraz. Tennis is a game where playing big in big moments matters a lot.
Although the singles draws were interesting, the story that speaks to me is the men’s doubles final, which Henry Patton and Harri Heliovaara won. Henry Patton played college tennis just up the road at UNC Asheville. His college coach and I are friends, and we have competed against them many times. I’m happy for them. However, the story worth noting is that of Harri Heliovaara of Finland. The thirty-five-year-old retired from tennis in 2013 after four years of obtaining his master’s degree and working in an airport. The father of two had moved on from tennis and was happy but not content, so he went after his dream again, and this time, he won on his sport’s biggest stage.
Whether you’re a parent, player, or someone interested in living your best life, Harri’s story has lessons for you. Life is short, so attack what you want. Don’t settle due to fear of failure. Instead, create a story showing that you believe that comebacks can happen. Harri would agree that Hard Comes First in life and in tennis and that excuses are there for us if we want them. His story is a testament to the power of determination and the significance of not staying comfortable. This is one of those moments that we need to note, so it moves us to do the same. Go for it! Be like Harri.
Respectfully,
Rod