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Me, and My Selfish
Expectations

 

Until recently, I expected top tennis touring pros to compete well into their 30’s or longer, as Martina Navratilova and Andre Agassi had. Simplistically, I believed if players were healthy and capable of competing, then that’s what they’d do.

 

Until recently, I expected top touring pros to give of themselves professionally and personally for years on end. Decades-deep battle scars brought on by injuries, emotional distress, erratic rankings, hiring and firing of coaches, new marriages and bitter divorces were worn proudly. When their careers came to an end, they had earned the right of passage – they had done the time.

 

Until recently, I expected a warning sign before a top touring pro left their job. A sign like an illness or injury, emotional distance, hints to the press that they have other interests, a new relationship or a pregnancy. And, if a top athlete were to quite, I’d expect at least a two-week notice for a transitional period.

Until recently, top touring pros fulfilled my expectations – until Justine Henin. Justine Henin won’t compete well into her 30’s, her life won’t be played out on court as an open book, and because she kept her retirement a secret until her career came to a screeching halt, there won’t be a transition to allow for my adjustment to her absence. And, that’s that. Relatiy is, Henin, as well as the other players, are not obligated to entertain me.

So, now that my expectations are somewhat in check, I’m moving forward with the knowledge that there is a magnificent void in the WTA, and I’m selfishly wondering who is going to fill henin’s shoes. It could be Ana Ivanovic or Jelena Jankovic, or maybe Dinara Safina, Serena Williams or someone completely out of right field. Tournament results indicate an unpredictable environment for the women’s Tour, so hypothesizing, albeit entertaining, would be a time buster at this point.

As I wait for Henin’s shoes to be filled, my attention is drawn to the media hype surrounding ATP’s Roger Federer. Rumors of potential burnout or retirement swirl. As much as I adore Rafael Nadal, I’m not ready to lose another top player. Not yet, not now, not anytime soon.

But, because of Henin, I am reminded that anything can happen. Top seeds can be decimated in first-round matches, and young players can retire without asking our permission. I am reminded that I can’t count a player out until that final match point is won, and a player can claim a No. 1 World ranking without ever winning a Grand Slam title. The world of tennis continues to thrill me with these game-changers, something I would have not thought possible…well, that is, until recently.

 

Back to the courts!

Teresa Thompson
Founder/Publisher
Teresa@TennisViewMag.com