Coach Newman's Corner

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April 30, 2007

How to know a good draw when you see one

This weekend at the Austin Tennis Academy I was watching our players praticipate in CATA junior team tennis.  During one of the matches I had an interesting conversation with Andy Stockdale about what constitutes a good draw.

Players in our program participate in tennis tournaments from the lowest level CATA tour events, to ZATs, to open tournaments, to Champ Major Zones, to Super Champ Major Zones, to National events, to International Tennis Federation (ITF) events to college tennis and finally onto professional tennis tournaments.  Most players and parents when they talk about a "good" draw seems to be defined as one that allows you to advance furthest in the tournament.  I would like to propose that there could be some other definitions of a "good" draw.

An unseeded player goes into a tournament and draws the #2 seed in the first round.  At first glance this might appear to be a "bad" draw.  However, the unseeded player goes on to beat the #2 seed, gain big time confidence and makes it to the finals of the tournament.  What appeared to be a "bad" draw, actually turned out to be a very good draw.

A player is the final seed in a major event.  In the first round he plays an unseeded player.  But that non-seed happens to be the highest ranked player in the tournament who did not get seeded.  Is this a "good" or a "bad" draw?

A player draws their arch rival, someone who they hate playing.  They've played this person in every tournament for 3 months and lost each time.  "Good" or "Bad" draw?  On the surface a bad draw, but what if this is the time they beat that rival?  Suddenly it's a great draw.

The point is that draws are neither "good" or "bad".  Players who make the most of their competitive experience gain the most from that experience.  A player could lose 0-6, 0-6 and have it be the best match they ever played in their life.  That same player could win 6-0, 6-0 and have it be a very average match  for their development.  If a player is playing someone weaker, they need to be aggressive and go after that person and not fear losing.  If they are playing someone on their level, it's a great way to measure progress. (What did I do this time, better than the last time I played this person or a person of this level?)  If a player is the underdog, practicing fighting, scraping, digging for every point is a skill every tennis player needs.  Every draw offers an opportunity of some sort for the player.  Having the right attitude and perspective will allow a player to maximize his experience, win or lose.

Your draw does not make you or break you as a competitor.  Your attitude about your draw just might.

Coach Newman

Posted by Jack Newman at April 30, 2007 6:48 AM