Champions Are Born

by KB

The mental aspect is something I've wondered about for years. As a junior I had a great game, a brilliant coach who believed in me and a supportive father (mother was ok but wasn't in the least sporty so didn't really get it), I was physically one of the fittest, had real determination and commitment, yet when I got onto the court to play important matches my game would often disappear. I would completeLY tense up and felt powerless against it. I saw a sports pyschologist, tried all sorts of things to distract myself but in the end I didn't have the mental ability or self belief despite wanting it more than anything in the world and knowing that objectively, logically, I had a far better game than most of my opponents.

This being the case I really believe that champions are born, that the greats were destined to greatness. Their genes AND their upbringing made them who they are, people who are just physically AND mentally incredibly talented. They have their parents to thank not just for bringing them into the world but for bringing them into the right environment (raising them in such a way that they believe in themselves and their abilities). Sure they have to do the work but then, they're genetically programmed to do it.