Sampras’ Zen Equation

By RAJGOPAL NIDAMBOOR

Tennis proselytises consciousness, or being. Of a central vision -- a perception with an inter-subjective background. Of a canvas that provides several contexts in which art, science, the player, and the viewer alike, necessarily float.

This does not, in any way mean, that great tennis players parachuted to Earth, with a racquet in hand. The truth is, quite simply, this: tennis greats have been all shaped, even as they “formed,” in a culturally intense background.

Tennis legend Pete Sampras was a classical example of such an outlook -- an artist who shaped the art of tennis like no other.

Sampras’ tennis was itself a rendition of being one with the Cosmos -- a primal constituent in the overall nature of art. His game was actual conception, in thought and action: of perspectives taken into account, and of positions it attempted to integrate -- to witness how deep and wide it runs.

It was also, in essence, akin to a Zen master’s vow to refuse rest until all viewpoints were liberated into their own primordial nature. It’s more than a keynote of rationality, or vision-logic -- one that integrated, or co-ordinated, different perspectives. It’s also the gateway through which stable psychic, subtle, or causal stages of tennis excellence, with its capacity to being one with nature evolved, so that the “spiritual” line could expand with its ultimate concern to include the welfare of a global activity, regardless of race, gender, or creed.

Sampras was a big believer in providence -- a great patron and confirmed practitioner of positive affirmation, not to speak of self-talk.

Self-Talk

Sampras’ leitmotiv? If strong affirmation and self-talk reminded him that he could conquer an opponent even if he was behind, down by way of points, and simply not playing well, his psyche was often game to one inescapable fact of tennis experience. Sampras kept on reminding himself that he had been on court before, and played the same opponent. All he’d need, he’d tell himself, was to shift gears with some positive self-talk -- that, “Everything is okay.” Self-talk and self-affirmation, according to sports psychology experts, are emotional strengths -- they enhance and bolster self-esteem and self-worth. The idea works with great advantage when self-improvement, the resultant effect of the whole process, leads to a great, landmark performance.

Not that Sampras learned the art and grammar of such thoughts when he won his first Grand Slam title at age 19, or when he arrived on the tennis horizon with his own brand of phenomenal talent, and terrific potential. But, one fact remains. Early on, Sampras had had his own version of negative tensions on the court, which made some critics draw their own conclusions. That Sampras was fabulous stuff, all right, but one who could, possibly, not achieve the glorious, heightened glow, or fame a la Arthur Ashe, or Bjorn Borg. They were wrong.

Meditate & Visualise

Sampras was more than convinced about the beneficial response of meditation. And, it was not uncommon for one to catch a glimpse of the American thoroughbred tennis star listening to his personal stereo with a meditation tape on. What’s more, when he played, Sampras often said positive things to himself. A paradigm: “I need to get out of this mindset;” or, “I need to stay focused on the present and prepare for the next point;” or, “I need to let go of that last point and stay focused on the present.” This does not, however, mean that Sampras was something of a yogi. Far from it. He’s a champion in the mind/body concept. He practiced his “philosophy” to stay fresh, and not get distracted. Result? His mind was more receptive to being able to focus on the game, all the time.

Sampras was a great athlete who stayed in total control on court, whatever the situation. He understood the dynamics of anger -- a negative entity, in reality. What was his “modus operandi,” the key to his concentration during play? Here goes: a] keep things uncomplicated; b] concentrate; c] channel your emotions; d] let yourself move on; and, e] find the right coach.

In his own words: “I try and keep my strategy simple… I try not to complicate my life spending too much time analysing a player in advance… Tennis is all about concentration and staying focused in the moment… In order to play well you have to learn to channel your emotions, both the highs and the very lows. Mishaps? It’s gone, history; it’s always time to refocus on the present.”

Another example. When Sampras’ coach, Tim Gullikson, died suddenly, it affected the champion terribly hard. So, what did Sampras do? He won the US Open in honour of Tim, and his memory. How did he do it? Simple. Which was also the secret of his success -- knowing himself, taking control of a competitive situation, being realistic about his goals, and being aware of his strengths and weaknesses, if any, on court. More than that, Pete’s triumph was monumental, not just by way of his effort, but because of its humane dimension. As he himself put it, soon after he was presented with the glistening Cup: “I saw Tim when I was holding up the trophy, and it was a nice moment.”

Sampras also used imagery and visualisation for his success. He considered his opponent as another human being, like himself, and made notes in his internal memory of his strengths and weaknesses. He also visualised techniques, and corrected his own mistakes on videotape. Most importantly, he’d built a victory image for himself -- embracing his opponent after he won a match.

Focus Under Pressure

Every event brings some pressure. Sampras believed that a customised training programme is all about learning to focus under pressure. He practiced how to handle tension, pressure, and fatigue, both in his mind and on court. And, in the process, he relaxed. This was his forte. Because, nothing works better than relaxation -- when one is so intensely focused. Relaxation, after all, is a great mental “tonic.” It brings out the best in us all. Witness Sampras, and his statistical roll-call of records, and you’ll know why. Or, ask Roger Federer, Pete’s worthy “successor,” and he will tell you the grammar and syntax of Sampras’ supreme genius.

As Sampras once said, “I try to hit an ace on 80 per cent of my first serves. I can tell when I hit the ball: whether it’ll be good or not. It’s the same with my golf swing.” He added: “When I take the club back, I can tell if it’s going to be a good shot… I go for both speed and accuracy on my serve; I go for close to the line and hit it pretty hard.”

Wrote John Feinstein in “Tennis” magazine: “In an era when almost every famous athlete counts on his agent or his shoe company to sculpt his image, Sampras changed his by showing his humanity… A champion is someone who wins when it isn’t easy; someone who gets it done when mere physical prowess isn’t enough… Greg Norman is a winner, but not a champion. Mike Tyson is a winner, but not a champion… Sampras is a champion.”

On this score alone, Sampras was a genius -- a genius with a heart and mind of gold. Isn’t it time we emulated his exemplar in whatever we do -- in life and career?