Let me start with the real reason why I have started this newsletter.

Last November, I decided to quit my full-time job. I was just not feeling it anymore. The work I was doing as an adviser in healthcare offered stability and security, but lacked fulfillment and satisfaction. It just so happened to be that I had just launched my first educational course for tennis coaches back in September, and recognized that this was something I actually really wanted to do. After much contemplation, I decided to take a leap of faith.

I have been working as a tennis coach in Amsterdam for over a decade now, and there is something about this game that will never tire me. The reason I get out of bed to work together to improve one’s game, is because of the grace of this sport. Due to my everlasting love of the game, I just know that I want to build a life in which I can share my passion and insights with like-minded tennis enthusiasts. Like you.

This is not another GOAT debate

 

There are two key truths in this newsletter:

1. The one and only true Maestro, is Roger Federer himself, until proven otherwise
2. A Maestro is not necessarily the GOAT

For everybody who is not familiar with the term GOAT: this refers to The Greatest Of All Time. Most people agree that only one of the Big Three (Djokovic, Nadal, & Federer) is eligible for this title. To me, it’s about choosing to either look at the numbers (objective camp), or to focus on what somebody has meant to the sport (maestro camp).

After his last year’s retirement, tennis will have to miss his genius game from now on. Not only is this newsletter an ode to him, it also acts as a guide how we can improve ourselves, on and off the court. One great way of achieving that, is learning by example.

This Month’s Maestro

 

April was the first real red clay month of the year. While Madrid is still being played, we had the liberty of enjoying one of the most gracious tournaments in Monte-Carlo. It is also in Monaco that April’s Maestro presented himself in the shape of Lorenzo Musetti. In his round of sixteen, he sometimes displayed the same flashes of brilliance that reminded of Roger playing Novak. Next to that, to win this newsletter’s category, a single-handed backhand is a plus.

It was a tough one though, because in the Madrid match between Stefanos Tsitsipas against Dominic Thiem, the Greek hit an insane record of 39 (!) consecutive first serves in. If you want to improve your first serve percentage, I would recommend checking out this video and closely watch his stroke motion.

Book tip

Lately, I have been reading Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life. Although I do not agree with all of his writing, I am sure that reading it (or even just parts of it) could help most people in daily life. One of the things that stuck with me most, is his reasoning why we write. He argues that writing helps us clear our own thinking, making it an absolute must-do if you want to start something like, let’s say, a business. I can admit that his reasoning has actually put me over the line to start this newsletter, so Jordan: thank you.

Links worth checking out