Lessons from Boxing: Speed Wins

"He [Manny Pacquiao] proves the point over and over again that speed is the dominant factor in all of sports."

--Gavin MacMillan 

World class conditioning coach after
observing Manny Pacquiao's stunning
speed of hand and foot in his unanimous
decision over Brandon Rios at The
Venetian Macau on November 24, 2013
for WBO International Welterweight Title

Fourth Year Anniversary of Timeless Tennis - Tennis Persons are the "Lucky People"

 
Timeless Tennis is now 4 years old!

Thank you all for sticking with my Blog.

My Blog helps remind us that we tennis persons are in fact the "lucky people."

How?

We are part of a game that is timeless.

We are part of a sport which reflects life and it's important lessons. 

As long as the human spirit survives, I believe that tennis will endure.

That is why we tennis persons - players, fans, supporters - are indeed the "lucky people."

Best,
Gary

Enjoy this Video, and Happy Holidays!
Video: We Are the Lucky People!
Music: We Are Lucky People, by Lange

Tennis Quote of the Day: The Focus of Your Focus

The Master of Masters: Novack Djokovic

London O2 Arena -

Novack Djokovic (No. 2, Serbia) convincingly defeated Rafael Nadal (No. 1, Spain) in two sets over 1 hour and 37 minutes, 6-3, 6-4 in the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on Monday night. 

It was Djokovic's third World Tour Finals title and second in a row, and extended his 22-match unbeaten streak. He won 7 titles this year, including the Australian Open.

"It's the highest quality of tennis that you have next to Grand Slams, because every match that you play, you play against a top 10 player every second day," explained Djokovic.

"We pushed each other to the limit [and] made each other better."

For his part, Nadal completed an unprecedented comeback from injury last season -- returning to World No. 1 rank, capturing 2 Grand Slams Titles, and reaching the World Tour Finals. 

He finishes the season with a win-loss record of 75-7. 

"This is probably one of the best seasons of my career," declared Nadal.

It was a fantastic finish to the professional tennis season, with Djokovic summing it up best: "This can serve as a great platform for 2014 season."

See you next year.

Best,
Gary

Lessons from Basketball: Keep Trying and Failing Until You Succeed

I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.

--Michael Jordan

Tennis Quote of the Day: Tennis and Fitness

Martina Navratilova (59 Grand Slam Titles - Singles, Doubles & Mixed Doubles)

"Few players have influenced tennis to the extent that Martina Navratilova has . . . Her gift to tennis was her fitness. More than any other player, she showed what a great tennis player could do when she also became a great athlete." 

--Peter Burwash

Learning from Legends,  
"Martina Navratilova's Conditioning",
Tennis Magazine (Nov. - Dec. 2013), Page 88.

Tennis Quote of the Day: Who are the Heroes?

"The term hero is often casually thrown around. Professional athletes are often considered heroes by their fans for their on-field exploits, but it's when they give back to those less fortunate that they truly become worthy of the distinction. If you can positively impact one person's life - it can be with a can of food, a bag of clothes, or even a free tennis lesson - you're a hero to that person. We've come to expect it from our professional athletes, but it's a commitment we all should make."

Chris Evert
18-Time Grand Slam Single's Champion
General Partner, Tennis Magazine
"Hero in the Mirror", Tennis Magazine 

(Nov. - Dec. 2013), Page 4.