I’ve been playing for more than 50 years. But it was a damn miracle I got through the first week.
The first day of tennis camp
I couldn’t hit the ball to save my life. That was also true on the second day, and the third … Until the pro, Bill, couldn’t stand it anymore. (I’m racking my brain for his last name: Barker? Gatlin? Price? There were a lot of Bills around in those days – including my brother, and two contractors for my parents.)
So. Bill brought me to the net and very gently started tossing balls at my racquet.
I got over the fear.
The shot he was teaching me was, of course, the forehand volley. By the end of that week, I could hit a forehand. By the end of the next full summer, I could hit groundstrokes, volleys and lobs. It would be three more years before I got a serve in.
I didn’t make my high-school team. I’ve never played in a tournament. I have played on teams as an adult, and I love the discipline.
My tennis story isn’t about trophies and glory.
It’s about setting small goals and reaching them. And setting some more, and reaching those.
Which is also a pretty good way to grow a business.
Especially a tennis business.