Tale of Two Teammates: Triumph and Tragedy

Classmate is not a word I use lightly. It carries weight—more so as I get older. To call someone a classmate means we shared a chapter of life: the same hallways, common experiences, mutual struggles, and collective victories. I may not know every classmate well—for instance, at Notre Dame, I had about 1,800 of them—but there’s something intangible that connects us. Recent events, both triumphant and tragic surrounding the University of Virginia Class of 2029 made me reflect on the classmates we never get to meet.

My niece and God daughter Grace is headed to Charlottesville this fall. She will join approximately 4,000 other undergraduate students in pursuit of furthering their education and their dreams. She knows her roommate, her dorm and what classes she will be taking. She doesn't need to declare a major until Sophomore year but is looking to pursue a degree in Biology. Grace is not the only student from her high school going to UVA, but no doubt she will be meeting new men and women—her classmates who hail from all over the US. However, two of them won't be there for two very different reasons.

A tale of triumph
Although Novak Djokovic remains on the tour, the retirement of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal ushered in a new era for men's tennis. A youth movement has taken surge and for now Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are leading the pack. But one up and coming player is an 18-year old from Rio de Janiero, João Fonseca. The Brazilian had committed to play NCAA tennis at UVA, but after reaching the quarterfinals of the 500-level tournament, Fonseca decided forgo his college plans and pursue tennis professionally.

According to a statement posted on his Instagram account, “It was an incredibly tough decision for me and my family as I have been dreaming about living a college life in Charlottesville, playing the sport that l love with a wonderful team and coach, but, in the last months, professional tennis called me in a way that I simply couldn't say ‘no’.” 

He added, “Although I will not be attending school, I think it is an extremely valuable and viable path for young tennis players (on) their way to professional careers.”

You wouldn’t have seen him in UVA’s blue and orange or Brazil’s green and gold—Wimbledon’s strict dress code wouldn’t allow it—but perhaps you caught a glimpse of João on the grass courts this summer. He made it to the third round, becoming the youngest man to do so since Australia's Bernard Tomic in 2011. Can I get a Cavalier "Wah-hoo-wa!"

A tale of tragedy
The 2025 JSN Colloquium on Jesuit Education at Creighton University was moving, memorable, affirming and challenging. Over 425 educators from Jesuit schools across the country, Canada and Puerto Rico gathered for keynote speakers, panel responses, small group sharing and experiences of prayer in June. 

Jamal Adams, the new President of Loyola High School in Los Angeles, led our first communal Ignatian Reflection. He spoke candidly about the profound challenges his school community faced in 2025. Many families lost their homes in the LA wildfires. In response, the school became a hub of support—a gathering place for those displaced and in need of essentials. The weight of what they carried was palpable, knowing that friends, families, and neighbors were forced to evacuate, relocate, and rebuild their lives. Others on staff felt called to bear witness to this hardship. One teacher said "this semester was like swimming through glue." That image has stayed with me.

I came to find out that a senior named Braun Levi and his family relocated to Manhattan Beach after losing their home in the Palisades fire. On Sunday, May 4, 2025 Braun was killed by a drunk driver. I couldn't process all that I had heard. Losing a home? Losing a life? A son? A student? A friend? I had no words. Another Loyola teacher said "we were just surviving." Given a string of tragedies we had at St. Ignatius about ten years ago, I'm sad to say, "I understand."

Braun was a nationally ranked player, a four-year varsity starter at Loyola, and the Cubs' team captain. Essentially Sports writes,

His coach, Brian Held, spoke to The Los Angeles Times on May 5, saying Levi was “probably the most decorated player to ever play for the school.” Loyola High School’s athletic department echoed that sentiment in a moving tribute on Instagram: “His lovable personality, infectious smile, and boundless energy made him a beloved member of the Loyola community. He was a true Man for and With Others, and we will miss him dearly.”

He was also committed to play at the University of Virginia, starting this fall. When I shared this news with my niece, she pulled up the United States Tennis Association's remarkable tribute Live Like Braun Levi: The Bright Legacy of Loyola High School’s Tennis Star. Together, we both read the entire post. 

I wonder if Grace and Braun would have been friends. His younger sister Adelle said she was his best friend. Their father Dan, said he was and then added, "he made everyone feel that way." I mourn for the Levi family, for the Loyola school community, his former classmates and those who could have been.

Let Us Remember

The 25 year reunion for the Class of 1996 took place in June of 2022. Because of COVID our celebration took place one year later but this did not deter my classmates from showing up. (In fact people are still talking about us. That's right the Class of 1996 came, saw and conquered). One of the most memorable gatherings that weekend was a class mass in Cavanaugh Hall. After the eucharist, a classmate shared a slide show featuring the names and pictures of over 40 classmates who had died. Several were friends. A few were surprising to me. It was both beautiful and difficult, but necessary. We belong to each other, whether we share the journey in practice or in theory, in chronos or kairos, here and now or in our dreams. 

Thinking about both João and Braun and in remembering my own classmates and teammates, I cannot help but realize to know and call another person by either title—sometimes both!—is a blessing. It is a gift, defined by time and space—both ordinary and sacred. Blessed be.

Photo Credits
Lions tennis
Fist bump: Joao
UVA Logo

Pope Leo XVI Meets Jannik Sinner: Where the Culture of Encounter Ought to Go

Much has been made of Pope Leo XVI's recent meeting with tennis' number one player on the men's tour, Jannik Sinner. From the puns associated with the Italian athlete's surname to their common "love" of the game, the reports of this encounter can't leave Catholics and sports fans without a smile. For example, upon giving the Holy Father one of his rackets and a ball as written by NPR, "the three-time Grand Slam champion suggested a quick volley. But the pope looked around at the antiques and said, "Better not." Though his papacy is nascent, it's obvious that this pontiff will continue—if not extend—the culture of encounter preached and promoted by Pope Francis. I believe that is incredibly important. However, this particular meeting raises an important question for me. If an encounter is but an exchange of pleasantries and puns, gifts and goodness, it falls short. It remains but a photo opportunity. My hope is that a meeting like this offers the time and space to raise questions and express concerns. And in the case of meeting with Jannik Sinner, I believe the culture of doping and the usage of PEDs in tennis ought to be acknowledged and addressed.

On March 14, 2025, Sinner visited the pope at the Vatican, along with his parents and Alberto Binaghi, the president of the Italian Tennis Federation, during the Italian Open in Rome, after returning to the game following a three-month doping ban.

As written in The Guardian,

Sinner tested positive for low levels of a metabolite of clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid that can be used for ophthalmological and dermatological use. It's the same drug for which San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. was suspended by MLB.

Sinner tested positive again eight days later in an out-of-competition sample.

Sinner failed a drug test twice. Sinner's explanation — that trace amounts of Clostebol in his doping sample was due to a massage from a trainer who used the substance after cutting his own finger — were accepted. Originally,  he was allowed to compete without suspension, raising questions about the treatment of high profile athletes. Eventually, Sinner accepted a three-month ban in a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency. 

You can decide for yourself what to make of Sinner's story. Much has been written and reported. I don't feel good about it. Personally, I don't celebrate this encounter in the way I wish I could, so I turned to a friend with my questions. I expressed my concerns.

I asked, What is the best we could hope for in this encounter? Given the timing and publicity of Sinner's case, we agreed that it could be opportune for the Holy Father to inquire about the culture of doping surrounding the sport. Making accusations or assigning blame is not appropriate. Asking about the pressure, temptation, policies, provision and communication around PEDs—defining, testing, banning and more is essential to understanding the decisions that athletes make. What are the conversations you are having with your physio? your doctor, your team? yourself? 

My friend added that the encounter could also serve as a space to remind a person of their moral responsibility to others. In this case, the Pope could  As the number one player in the world. countless others—young people, tennis players, sports fans, Italians and Catholic look to you to set an example. You have great power and responsibility—whether you want it or not. I urge you to choose the good. I encourage you to live with integrity. Make the game we both love even greater by the holistic use of your talent, style, mentality and more.  

It's possible that Pope Leo and Sinner had a serious conversation—a private one. I respect that we might not be privy to it all. As noted in 2024 US Open champion Jannik Sinner meets with Pope Leo XIV "during the audience, Binaghi gave the pope an honorary federation card, and the pontiff and Sinner posed for photos with the Davis Cup trophy that Sinner helped Italy win in 2023 and 2024, as well as the Billie Jean King Cup trophy won by the women in 2024, led by 2025 Italian Open women's champion Jasmine Paolini."

"We all felt the passion that Leo XIV has for our sport and this filled us with pride," Binaghi said in a statement. "We hope to embrace the Holy Father again soon, maybe on a tennis court."

Who knows, that might be the right place, right time for the next encounter.

Photo Credits
Pope and Sinner
Trophy

Arthur Ashe Stands on Monument Avenue in Richmond, VA

The third Monday in January, honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., is the only federal holiday designated by Congress as a national day of service. In other words, Americans are encouraged to observe the holiday by making a positive impact on their community and live a faith that does justice. I always say it is "not a day off, it is a day on." It is a day to do—to give, to live the message of Dr. King and more. This year, I traveled to Richmond, VA to see the statue of the late tennis great, Arthur Ashe in appreciation for how he used his platform to share messages much like MLK's.

One of my favorite quotes from King speaks to his belief in service. He said,

Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.

I believe when we lovingly and  generously give our time and talents in service to others we become so much more. I do not think King was overly idealistic about the power of service. An author, orator, leader and community organizer, Dr King  remains an American hero because he gave his life in loving service to others. But he wasn't the only one to weigh in on service and its importance. 

Arthur Ashe said, “True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”

Perhaps he was speaking about King, but I also believe Ashe was speaking from the heart. The namesake of the main stadium at the USTA National Tennis Center, fortunately there is no shortage of information about his life. But for the purpose of this blog, however, I would like to share the story of the statue that stands in his honor in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia.

In 1996, the city of Richmond posthumously honored Ashe's life with a statue by sculptor Paul DiPasquale on Monument Avenue, a street that had been traditionally reserved for statues of key figures of the Confederacy. This decision led to some controversy in a city that was once the capital of the Confederate States during the American Civil War. However, the video short Arthur Ashe Statue Sets Precedent for Monument Avenue, explains how and explains why.

In 1992, Arthur Ashe publicly announced that he contracted HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, He began working to educate others about HIV and AIDS, a disease that at that time was laden with social stigma. For DiPasquale, that heroism "created in my mind what looked like a social need to recognize this native son of Richmond, and of Virginia, born and raised here, who was an international star and world champion, three times over."

The sculptor admits "Monument Avenue didn't seem to fit." However, in talking to Ashe about this statue and what it should include in his mind "the question changed from Why put Arthur Ashe on Monument Avenue? to Why shouldn't we put Arthur Ashe on Monument Avenue to honor this man? And update Monument Avenue?"

Twenty eight years later, all of the Confederate statues and their pedestals have been taken down and removed from Monument Avenue. The events surrounding the murder of George Floyd prompted this change. 

DiPasquale adds "Monument Avenue is a long avenue. There is plenty of room for other heroes—but Arthur Ashe still stands on Monument Avenue." 

I traveled to North Carolina over the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend to visit one of my closest friends, who moved to Raleigh and to meet up with two former students who are members of the Duke men's basketball team in Durham. Realizing I wasn't all that far from Washington, DC I asked my brother, sister-in-law and nieces to meet me in Richmond, VA.

When I was considering what we could do or see in Richmond, all I knew was that I wanted to see the Arthur Ashe statue on Monument Avenue. Visiting that space provided me with an opportunity to recognize this great American. My brother informed me that when he died, his body was laid in state at the Governor's Mansion, located in Richmond, VA. According to CNN.com, "He was the first person to lie in state at the mansion since the Confederate general Stonewall Jackson in 1863." Even in death, Arthur Ashe emerges a sober but true hero.

I returned to school the day after what would have been Dr. King's 95th birthday, eager to teach my students about Arthur Ashe—the story of his statue and how he lived out a message that resonated with MLK. I would like to know why he requested that his shoe laces be untied. I'm glad he played a game that I love. I remember those press conferences and his grace.

Maybe true heroes demonstrate grace like that of Richmond's own...

Photo Credits
Ashe at Wimbledon
Stadium
#GrottoNetwork

"The Tennis Bag is A Lot Like Your Heart...." Lesson from Andre Agassi

One of my all time favorite reads is "Open," Andre Agassi's autobiography. I quote the  American tennis legend in Sports and Spirituality on a regular basis. Here's the best one: The tennis bag is a lot like your heart – you have to know what’s in it all times. 

Tennis was my first (sports) love. As much time and thought as I've given to the game, I never thought of my tennis bag and my heart having much, if anything in common. And yet, that image has stayed with me. 

Practically speaking, I know exactly what is in my heart. Just last week, I made my annual visit to my electrophysiologist. Following an EKG, they ran a diagnostic of my heart health and a routine transmission report from my Abbott device. Reviewing that summary is always a little jarring. It reminds me of the medical technology that makes my heart work effectively. I don't really feel it and although I barely see it, I carry it— two wire leads which remain in normal limits. They are connected an ICD with a battery that has 4.4-5.1 years remaining longevity. Fortunately, there were no abnormal fast heart rates detected over the last monitoring period. A good report.

But Agassi is not speaking of the biological heart. This heart—it too, has size and shape.  The spark of life, fount of emotion, house of the soul – the heart lies at the center of every facet of our existence.  And yet, I think it's tough to pinpoint what it carries. On any given day, my heart holds hundreds of emotions, desires, feelings, and concerns. Some are heavy, others are confusing. However, when I think of my heart like a tennis bag, I get somewhere. For one, it's never empty. It's usually pretty full. I think of the standing items my heart, like those inside a bag—practical considerations, planning items, understandings, and more. 

Agassi writes,

No one but me … can pack the [water] bottles into my bag, along with my clothes and towels and books and shades and wristbands. (My rackets, as always, go in later.) No one but me touches my tennis bag, and when it’s finally packed, it stands by the door, like an assassin’s kit, a sign that the day has lurched that much closer to the witching hour.

“I obsess about my bag. I keep it meticulously organized, and I make no apologies for this anal retentiveness. The bag is my briefcase, suitcase, toolbox, lunchbox, and palette. I need it just right, always. The bag is what I carry onto the court, and what I carry off, two moments when all my senses are extra acute, so I can feel every ounce of its weight. If someone were to slip a pair of argyle socks into my tennis bag, I’d feel it. The tennis bag is a lot like your heart – you have to know what’s in it all times."

How fitting. Be careful with what you pack. You're in charge. If there's something to obsess over, maybe that's it. Keep your heart organized—desire is a powerful force. The heart, like his bag, provides sustenance, nourishment, it carries provisions and allows us to create something new. We bring our heart into the workplace and we take it home. It is worth its weight, even when its heavy. Keep close to it. Take inventory. And hold on tight.

Photo Credits
Inside the bag
Andre

See a former posting related to this topic: What's in your backpack? tennis bag? heart?

Lesson from Wimbledon—A Reminder about the Importance of Equal Access

Though Pebble Beach has hosted other women's golf tournaments, the inaugural U.S. Women's Open at the iconic, majestic course took place July 3-6, 2023. So many people asked me if I was there. Others expected I would make the (short) trek to Monterey. Despite the fact I had an alibi, I felt badly I missed out. Why? Just a few weeks earlier, I traveled to Los Angeles for the Men's U.S. Open. I believe our pocketbooks and our calendars reveal what we value. I didn't want anyone to infer that I am not supportive of the women's game. 

My mom thinks men and women should receive the same trophy.
I find beauty in both. Thoughts?

I wasn't at the 78th US Women's Open because I was traveling to London for the Wimbledon Championships. This tourney offered me many insights, memorable moments, ideas and observations. And one of the most important is rooted in the fact I was able to see both men and women competing in the same sport. 

Sitting in a ticketed seat on Court One, my friends Bill, Mary, Liam and I saw three matches in a row. Daniil Medvedev won in just two sets because Jiri Lehecka withdrew, due to injury. This match on Court One was followed by Aryana Sabalenka defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 6-0. I saw but one set of the Rune vs. Dimitrov match because Liam and I left to hit the Resale line to purchase a ticket Centre Court. 

Though I checked in on a number of matches on the outer courts throughout the day, the Sabalenaka match was my favorite. I love her game. An incredibly talented and emotional player, her athleticism and style of play speaks to me. Having watched "Break Point," I learned more about her personal story; I can't help but cheer for the Belarusian.

This experience at Wimbledon allowed me to see both the men's and women's game. One was not at the expense of the other. The simultaneous play of both draws extended equal access and visibility of the players/for the fans. NB: the semifinal and final matches take place on different days but for the majority of the tournament fans are privy to both. Furthermore, the men's doubles championship follows the women's on Saturday and the women's doubles championship follows the men's on Sunday—allowing for equal visibility as it's a singular ticketed event.

For quite some time, proponents of women's sport have called for much more than equal pay, access, resources and opportunity. Women's sports ought to have equal coverage, publicity and viewing opportunity. Though much has improved for women in sport, coverage remains limited.

In the article The disparity in women’s and men’s sports, Jennifer Bubel writes,

According to a study conducted by Purdue University in March 2021, coverage of women’s sports in the media has barely changed since the 1980s. The study found that in 2019, women’s sports coverage only totaled to 5.4% of airtime, as compared to the 5% in 1989 and 5.1% in 1993 - quite a small percentage of change. The Women’s World Cup accounted for a huge chunk of that percentage, as it drops to 3.5% when removed that year. The study also found that digital media coverage had the same disparity, despite the lack of time constraints.

Coverage and publicity is important because not only does it bring attention and awareness to the feat of women in sport, it affirms the athletes, promotes achievements, celebrates excellence and endears fans to players and teams. To see Ons Jabeur play tennis is to love her. To watch Ajla Tomljanovic defeat Serena Williams at the 2022 U.S. Open proves how valuable a good mentor can be (Chris Evert has stepped into this role for several female tennis players).

I believe one of the most important arguments for exposure to women's sports is that it shapes us—our eye, our understanding and our ears. Women's tennis is indeed different than men's tennis. Women's basketball, golf, gymnastics is too. While all fans have a preference for their favorite sport, team and athlete, I would argue we can all grow in our knowledge, understanding and appreciation of each game. One need not be at the expense of the other. This is not an either/or proposition...I see it as both/and.

Furthermore, I don't need women to hit as far, serve as fast, or jump as high. Maybe you do, but over time I have learned to value to nuances, differences and beauty of each game for what it is and who is playing it. For the record, the average speed for a first serve in men's tennis is 115 mph vs. 105 for women.

Wimbledon is no different than other Grand Slam events in tennis that host both men and women. The timing of this tourney and the U.S. Women's Open (one of the four majors in golf) only reminded me of what I already knew, but it also made me wonder: Why can't things can different? Shouldn't they? Here are a few ideas.

Why not have *some* golf tournaments that feature half the field of male players to include the other half of female golfers. The women and the men can tee off from the appropriate tee box and still play against their own gender. There would still be a male champion and a female champion. The integration of men and women in a tourney would allow for fans to see both. 

Why not have the women and men's March Madness include both teams in the same locations in the early rounds? A fan could see San Diego State men tip off at 5:00 p.m. with the Notre Dame women to follow. 

Please note, I am not in favor of eliminating gender from competition. I do however want to think creatively about how we can celebrate and have access to both. Some people might not want to ever see men's sports. Others might not woman to see women's. While many sports fan will make the argument for a preference of one game vs. the other, my time at Wimbledon only allowed me to engage with two sides of the draw and cheer for my favorite players from each.

If you need a reason or an excuse to go to Wimbledon, this is just one of 100 I am happy to provide. More to come!

Photo Credits
Both Winners
Sabalenka
Ajla and Chrissie
Both Leaderboards

Questions to Consider for Bitter Rivals. Beloved Friends. Survivors: Another Story of Evert and Navratilova

Have you noticed? Despite living in an age of too much information at our fingertips, when one can easily drown in the sea of social media—some articles emerge triumphant. Certain stories get shared—promoted and passed on among friends and family members. They catch fire and capture our imaginations. And this past weekend—at the advent of Wimbledon and the long 4th of July holiday weekend—one reigned supreme: Bitter Rivals. Beloved Friends. Survivors by Sally Jenkins. I'm glad it did. Maybe you are too.

A good friend who hails from Washington DC was the first to share this lengthy read from the Washington Post. I then saw it posted on a friend's Facebook feed. She mentioned that the firewall was down. I took note, although I didn't have to.... five other friends shared it with me via text. "Wow!" 

My surprise and delight was catapulted by what I saw lying on the desk in my parents' kitchen: a printed copy of it. My sister-in-law brought the WaPo feature with her from our nation's capital. She said "I figured someone in this house would enjoy this read." Sold.

I will admit, I read it with a bit of skepticism. I didn't know if there was a new angle to this story. I thought ESPN's 30 for 30: Unmatched from 2010 said it all. I was wrong....and I love being wrong. These tennis greats have faced new challenges and added inspiring chapters to their tale. Thus, the purpose of this blog is to offer not insight on the article, but questions for you to consider. Please share your own. Enjoy.

Beautiful writing
The introduction to this piece paints a portrait of the sights and sounds of tennis—enveloping the reader. Take a moment of pause and consider the specific sights and sounds of the sport you play or love. What are they?

Isolation in Being the Best
In his autobiography, "Open," Andre Agassi characterizes tennis as a lonely game. The further one advances in a tourney, fewer people remain. Jenkins writes "At first, the locker room is a hive of 128 competitors, milling and chattering, but each day their numbers ebb until just two people are left in that confrontational hush known as the final." 

Not all individual sports are this way. For example, while not all golfers make the final cut, during the final round half of the field remains. And yet I wonder: Does this attribute of tennis reveal a truth about excellence? To what degree is being the best—and the pursuit of it—lonely or isolating?

Jewelry
I love jewelry. It's such a personal and unique way that humanity expresses itself. And, I love talking to other women (mostly) about it. 

I love that Evert gave Navratilova a necklace signifying their long friendship for her 60th birthday. And I love that Martina decided to honor her friend by wearing it...but there's a twist.

In January 2022, Evert learned that she had Stage 1C ovarian cancer. As Evert embarked on a grueling six cycles of chemotherapy, Navratilova pulled the Cartier necklace from her jewelry box and put it on, a talisman. “I wore it all the time when I wanted her to get well,” Navratilova says. For months, she never took it off.

Only one thing made her remove it: radiation. In December 2022, Navratilova received her own diagnosis: She had not one but two early-stage cancers, in her throat and breast.

“I finally had to take it off when I got zapped,” Navratilova says.

What jewelry do you wear in honor of another person?
Share the story of a piece of jewelry that someone has given to you. 

BTW: I think Cartier ought to rebrand that necklace and name it "the friendship necklace."

Relief
Evert and Navratilova met when they were 18 and 16 years old, respectively. Their first match was played on March 22, 1973 in Akron Ohio. Evert won in straight sets. Jenkins writes,

Evert had never faced anything like it. The curving lefty serve caromed away from her, and so did the charging volleys. “She had weapons that I hadn’t seen in a young player — ever,” Evert says. Two things gave Evert relief: Navratilova’s lack of fitness — she had put on 20 pounds in four weeks on American pancakes — and her emotionalism. “She was almost crying on the court in the match, you know, just moaning,” Evert says. Nevertheless, Evert had never felt such a formidableness from a new opponent and never would again. 

Is it just me, or are you wondering if you can/should ever eat pancakes again?!
In what ways do you seek to improve your fitness and/or emotionalism?

The Brain
A tennis player must be remarkably observant. The greats notice myopic details about their opponent, the game, and the ball to use to their advantage.

Standing just 5'6" and 125 lbs. Navratilova wondered how and why Evert was so dominant, until she watched Evert play against her younger sister, Jeanne (who was also a pro). "By the end of the session Navratilova understood that Evert’s greatest weapon was “her brain.”

Why don't we give athletes more credit for the way they use their mind, for their athletic IQ? How often to you pay attention to "smart players?" Do you/we give athletes enough credit for using their brain?

Competition and Friendship
I did not realize that Evert and Navratilova were much more than just doubles partners early on in their careers. They were close friends. However, that changed in 1976 when Navratilova began to "score more victories over Evert." 

“Chris, by her own admission, could only be close friends with people who never had a chance of beating her,” Navratilova says.

Evert hated to play someone she cared about — hated it. “I thought, ‘God, I can’t be emotional towards these people,’ ” Evert says now. “… It was easier not to even know them.”

Respond....and see earlier question about isolation and loneliness as part of excellence.

Challenge, please?
One of the better rule changes in sports is the line challenge in tennis. The technology that supports it is truly remarkable and it's important. Why? Because as my niece told me "99% out is 100% in." And, it's not easy to get that right.

Challenges are not automatic, a player gets three of the per set, upon request. NB: These three challenges apply to both the tie-break and advantage methods of scoring sets. While a challenge is not charged to a player who is successful in their challenge attempt, a challenge is charged if the player is unsuccessful. It's exciting to watch the review.

The are but a few ideas I would like to challenge in this article and just one I want to put into writing.

Jenkins wrote "Navratilova observes that, in its way, Evert’s childhood was as stifling as her own had been in Czechoslovakia. “We are much more the same than different, really,” she says. “So much of it was imposed on both of us, one way or the other, with her Catholic, proper girl upbringing and me being suppressed by communism.”

While I understand the larger point that Navratilova is trying to make, I struggle with this comparison. While the reader has a sense that Evert's father was controlling and that she was raised a Catholic, I don't see being brought up with a faith tradition or in a "proper" way to be an imposition. At least not in the way that I understand communism is...or was. Challenge, please?!

Mean
No, I'm not talking about the Taylor Swift song. I would like to discuss a strategy Navratilova employed at the advice of her coach.

Lieberman told her she had to get “mean” about Evert and showed what she meant by being intentionally rude to Evert in player lounges. Evert would start to greet them, and Lieberman would turn her back or say frostily, “Are you talking to me?” It quietly infuriated Evert. “They weren’t very nice to me,” Evert says. “I mean, Nancy taught her to hate me.”

And, to some degree, it worked. "From 1982 to 1984, it was Navratilova’s turn to be cold. She reached 10 Grand Slam finals — and won eight of them. In that stretch, she beat Evert 14 straight times, with an abbreviating serve-and-volley power that seemed almost dismissive."

Coaches: Have you ever coached an athlete to develop this mentality? Do you think it is necessary? While it isn't THE reason that the tides turned in the Evert v. Navratilova match up—now advantage Navratilova, it might have helped. Is that what being the best requires?!

Caption Necessary
Sometimes words are not necessary. However, this image taken at the 1985 French Open Championship Jenkins' recalls what must be one of the great matches in women's tennis history. Read what she says for yourself;  Martina's words say it all:

The embrace at the net is one of their enduringly favorite pictures. They threw their arms over each other’s shoulders, mutually exhausted yet beaming over the quality of the tennis they had just played. “You can’t tell who won.” That might be the best caption ever.

“You can’t tell who won,”

A Statue for...
The article concludes with an interesting image and the suggestion that—maybe—we can honor these two great athletes for something other than their achievements.

There are statues of Arthur Ashe at the U.S. Open, Fred Perry at Wimbledon, Rod Laver at the Australian Open and Rafael Nadal at the French Open. The blazers who run the major championships have not yet commissioned sculptures of these two women, who so unbound their sport and gave the gift of professional aspiration to so many. Yet who exemplify, perhaps more than any champions in the annals of their sport, the deep internal mutual grace called sportsmanship.

And yet, the entire article is a testimony of the friendship that has sustained both women in profound ways—through many of life's greatest challenges. Does sportsmanship always lead to friendship? Should it? Given its power, is it something we appreciate enough? Ought we create a statue that honors two athletes who became great friends because of.... the game?! 

Thank you, to my friends for sharing this great piece.

Photo Credits
Hug
Jewelry
Chrissie
Who Won?
70s tennis

A Question Worth Asking: Why play a sport if you're not good at it...?!

A close friend of mine, a former teammate and avid sports fan once told me why she and her husband spend so much money, time and personal resources into the development of their children's athletic experiences.  "It's not fun to play a sport if you're not any good at it. Who wants to suck?" I was horrified by her words, primarily because they struck a nerve. Why?  Deep down inside, I knew that both a big part of me agreed with her and ferociously disagreed with her. And yet, her words have stayed with me because they spawn a question worth asking: Is she right? 

Sopan Deb's article How I Found Common Ground With My Immigrant Dad on a Tennis Court provides the answer I suppose I want to hear..or need to hear. Please read the article for yourself. It's funny, insightful, and surprising.

Deb writes:

There was one other issue, though: Shyamal (the author's father)  was terrible too. Really bad. I mean, so was I, but I had an excuse. This was not a grand display of tennis on either side. This was the opposite of Borg vs. McEnroe. It was more like two Muppets facing off. I stopped feeling bad for the ball boy once I saw him openly laughing at some of our volleys. Shyamal trotted from one side of the court to the other, flailing at my serves, which were surprising each time they made it over the net. 

I had thought he was being polite by playing down his tennis skills. He actually was terrible. What was his coach teaching him that whole time? 

After an hour, we mercifully ended our eyesore of a match. Neither of us kept score, but we didn’t need to. We both lost.

The sports metaphor looms large for a reason. As an athlete and as a coach, I know when I have lost and lost (think of this as the negative, lower left quadrant on the x, y axis/graph). I also know I have won, even when the scoreboard says otherwise. Such is the case here for the Deb men.

Shyamal Deb plays tennis and sucks at it. He has invested in instruction and has the equipment and wardrobe to play the part and yet, his game is still terrible. His talent, or lack thereof doesn't diminish the shared experience that unfolds. Or the insights and lessons he and his son have gained from trying to hit a fuzzy tennis ball over a net—replete with a hired ball boy! 

The authnor, Sopan Deb is a basketball writer and a contributor to the culture section for The New York Times

I have always believed one of the many gifts of sports is that serves as another means of communication—both verbal and nonverbal. I know people because I have run, played basketball or a round of golf with them in a way that is very different, often intimate, playful, challenging and endearing. 

Perhaps this is what children are always seeking from their parents and parents from their children—a relationship so important that the memories made, the physical strife, communication without words are worth investing—whether you suck or not. I think one of the comments says it much better: When going fishing with your father it is never about the fish.... Amen.

Photo Credits
Sopan Deb
Tennis Court

Billie Jean King and Her Legacy: "Not Done Yet"

Just three weeks into my freshman year at the University of Notre Dame, I walked with my roommates to hear the Governor of Arkansas speak at the Stepan Center on campus. I knew that he was the Democratic nominee for President but I didn't know much if anything about him. I was aware that his campaign was picking up speed but I assumed George H. W. Bush would be re-elected to a second term. I shook his hand, I listened to his remarks and went back to Farley Hall. I was more excited about the first home football game against the University of Michigan taking place the next day, than I was in meeting this politician. Two months later William Jefferson Clinton was elected the 42nd President of the United States. 

I'm not really sure why I went. I suppose it felt like something I thought a college student should do....or so I had heard. In reality, I went because I could. I went because there was some momentum to go. I'm so grateful I rode that wave and did was Father Hesburgh long proclaimed as the secret to a good life: "just show up." College life is full of these types of opportunities. Students can hear speakers from around the globe in the auditorium, theater or lecture hall next door. Musicians, artists, politicians, Nobel laureates and as evidenced on Tuesday March 19, professional athletes who use their platforms to change the world are ready and willing to share their story, beliefs and hopes for young people. Such is the case with Billie Jean King, who spoke as part of the Silk Series speaker at the University of San Francisco.

Billie Jean King, who is arguably — as John McEnroe once said — the single biggest influence in the history of women’s sports, appeared at War Memorial Gym with he gold-medal-winning basketball player Jennifer Azzi. The discussion between them touched on issues of equity and influence, King’s childhood and her path to activism (Killion). I attended this talk with six of my female colleagues—a fellowship of coaches. We sat together, met for discussion after the event. Each one of us took notes, many cried tears of joy. Everyone left humbled and inspired. We are still smiling and still talking about this legend and this icon. Truly, she is one of America's best. And fortunately for us, when asked about her legacy she said "I'm not done yet." 

For the purposes of this blog, I would like to share what I learned and captured from my notes and the shared discussion. [The format I am using is a tool we teachers employ to frame an article, a lecture, etc. Identify what is new, surprising and disturbing]. Here we go.

New: 

• As many people know, March is Women's History Month. I had no idea this year 's theme is "Celebrating Visionary Women." Hard to imagine someone more visionary that BJK. She broke with the tennis establishment in 1970, founding what eventually became the Women's Tennis Association. She served as the first President of this union (WTA). Because of their efforts, female players no longer earn $14 a day. In fact, in 1973, the US Open became the first major tournament to offer equal prize money for men and women.
• I think it's important to learn about the mindset of a champion. BJK grew up in a home that never asked about the outcome of a game or match. Her parents, Bill and Betty wanted to know "how did it go?" instead of "did you win?" I hope parents in the audience wrote that down. Furthermore, she believes that "champions adapt." No wonder she was ranked number one in the world off and on over the course of ten years. She said "pressure is a privilege." Indeed. In an individual sport like tennis, more pressure—>more matches—>;more championships. I will try to remember that motto when I am under pressure. 

Surprising: 

• The third word out of King's mouth was "ball." She did not speak about her success as a tennis player. The emcee reminded the audience that she won 39 Grand Slam titles (29 singles and 10 doubles) but BJK did not address which one meant the most....what tournament was her favorite....who was her greatest opponent. I cannot tell you that I learned about the strengths and weaknesses of her game, but I know how much she loves athletics. She played softball and didn't even pick up a racket until she was 12 years old. Her brother pitched for 10 years in Major League Baseball and today she is part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The audience learned more about her enthusiasm and love of sport than her accomplishments. Her enthusiasm makes her relatable; her humility? Admirable!
• The song "Philadelphia Freedom" was written by her good friend Sir Elton John, ABOUT HER. This was probably my favorite story of the evening, because she shared it so nonchalantly. I've only seen a few people do that well (Springsteen in "Born to Run). You can read the full story here, but let me offer a snippet here. King said,

In the summer of 1974 we were driving to one of his concerts and he looked over at me in the back of the car (I can remember, he was on my right) and he said, “I want to write a song for you.” Of course, I didn’t think I heard him right. I turned scarlet red, I’m sure, and went, “Oh please. What??” And he goes, “No, I want to write a song, what are we gonna call it?” And I said [exasperatedly], “I don’t know!” Then he went, “How about ‘Philadelphia Freedom’?” Because I played for the [World TeamTennis] Philadelphia Freedoms and he used to come to watch our matches. 

As a music fan, I delight in knowing the origin story of a great song. I can't wait to hear "Philadelphia Freedom" at an unexpected time, in an unexpected place and pass along that story...

• King is the first female athlete to earn the Presidential Medal of Freedom. President Obama conferred this honor to her in 2009. See the "Disturbing" section for more information.

Disturbing:

• Of the 32 athletes who have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but two are women. I am happy, and not surprised to read that Pat Summit received this prestigious honor three years after BJK.
  
  A colleague asked if the Medal is conferred upon people posthumously. The answer is "yes." He suggested that it go to Althea Gibson, the first black woman to win Wimbledon. Although athletes must wear the color white at the All England Lawn and Croquet Club, the champions need not be. Tennis is truly an international sport and King has advocated for promotion and growth of the game world-wide.

The evening concluded with four questions from current students—which I was glad to see. She answered each one thoughtfully, honestly, and with humility and laughter. There wasn't an ounce of cynicism in her sharing. She referenced faith four times in the evening and reminded the President of USF that she's Protestant, not Catholic. "But I have a great pastor," she said.

There is a great quote attributed to Francis of Assisi—the Patron Saint of the City where I live and the University of San Francisco, I couldn't help but think of Billie Jean King. He said, “First do what is necessary, then do what is possible, and before long you will find yourself doing the impossible.” She has....and she did. Perhaps the best is yet to come. Thank you BJK!

Photo Credits
With Elton John
Visionary Women
All others are from the SF Chron

Billie Jean King: No Topic Required

It's not everyday that one can hear one a woman who was named one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century” by Life magazine, 2009 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the namesake of the United States' Tennis National Tennis Center speak. But later today, March 19, I will head to the University of San Francisco with 10 other female coaches to listen to the human rights icon and tennis legend Billie Jean King, as part of their Silk Speaker Series. 

My mom asked me what she will speak about. I paused for a moment, running the event information through my head, trying to recall what I read. I didn't make up an answer. I simply said, given who she is and what she has accomplished, does she really need a specific topic? I hope we agree: the answer is "no." If you're not sure read more.

Billie Jean King grew up playing tennis in the California public parks and won 39 Grand Slam titles during her career. She helped form the Virginia Slims Series and founded the Women’s Tennis Association. She defeated Bobby Riggs in one of the greatest moments in sports history – the Battle of the Sexes on Sept. 20, 1973. In 2017, Fox Searchlight released the critically acclaimed film, Battle of the Sexes, which depicts the cultural and social impact of the groundbreaking match between King and Bobby Riggs in 1973. 

King is the founder of the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, the co-founder of World Team Tennis, and part of the ownership group of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Sparks. She founded the Women’s Sports Foundation and the Women’s Tennis Association. In August 2006, the National Tennis Center, home of the US Open, was renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in honor of her accomplishments on and off the court.  In 2018 King received a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards. King serves on the board of the Women’s Sports Foundation and is a past member of the board of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and a past member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. 

Without BJK, professional sports for women would not be where they are today. She was a pioneer in her advocation for equality of opportunity, compensation and attention of female athletics. Perhaps she will speak about what it was like to participate in a sport that had no professional opportunities for women when she first started to play. Maybe she will address  the responsibility she believes women like her carry—knowing how things were and have far we have come. 

As many people know, March 8 was International Women's Day. I hope folks also know that all of March is celebrated as Women's History Month. If she would like to talk about what that means to her, wonderful. If she decides to speak on where female athletics ought to go, even better. She had a vision long before others did of what can and should be. American men and women should be proud of her achievements and efforts—past and present. Oh, and 39 Grand Slam titles?! #Baller. Let's talk doubles' strategy! Let's discuss favorite playing partners for mixed and women's....And who are her favorite players to watch today? Did she coach? Did she have one? 

I am certain that I will write a post-script to this blog, but for now, I'd like to get everyone ready for the evening, I have shared the following trivia questions with my colleagues. NB: I have removed trivia questions that pertain to our school/photos are still there. Good luck.

1. Billie Jean King and Bobbie Riggs’ “Battle of the Sexes” occurred in what year? Where? Who won!

2. Venus Williams fought for equal pay at Wimbledon. In what year did the women finally earn the same prize money as the men at this historic Grand Slam?

3. Where is the USTA National Tennis Center located?

4. Can you name another female athlete who has won the Presidential Medal of Freedom?


5. This picture profiles BJK when she won her first Grand Slam title. What tourney? What year?

6. The player—front row, right side—lists tennis as her “first love of sport.” Who is she?

The real question I would like to ask in preparation for this talk cannot be captured by any singular photo. I love trivia, but this question is far beyond that. My question: Imagine a world without professional female athletes. Thanks to Billie Jean King, you don't have to. More to come!
Photo Credits
Speaker shot

Back to School Made Easier: Thank God for the US Open

Thank God for the US Open. The final and my favorite of the four majors in professional tennis takes place in Queens, NY at the United States Tennis Center im late August, early September. I come home from work so tired that the only thing I can do is lie on my couch, ice my back and not move. I could easily complain but instead, I get to watch live tennis. And what a treat that is: the matches go so late in New York, that even after Back to School Night, an exhilarating match awaits. 

I once thought part of what I loved about watching the Open is seeing someone else work really hard and battle it out, especially because I can't. But, that's not even a half truth. Several times this year, as in years past, matches have gotten hot—really hot...and intense...and suddenly the game demands things of me I have too little energy to give, but I always do. I yell. I hit the table. I whistle and cat call. I text anyone who can and will listen and respond. I clap and tonight when Juan del Potro was invited to address the crowd in Spanish, his native tongue, I even teared up.  That's the Open (and Tom Rinaldi. So good).

I have likened the beginning of the school year to getting a plane off the ground. A considerable amount of preparation is necessary to leave the gate on time. All precautionary safety measures must be taken so that the crew can close the doors as we are ready for departure. Once the wheels have been lifted, the plane must climb rapidly and the goal is to reach cruising altitude within a set amount of time. From there, the crew can settle in,. Those in charge are on auto-pilot and know what to overlook and control until it's time to descend the plane for landing.

Honestly, teaching is no different. My classes require similar preparation.Every day I feel as though I am reviewing some form of a plan to get the class up and running: syllabus, ground rules, homework policy, participation guide and more. With each passing day, my students grow more comfortable and familiar with the cabin pressure. This plane will begin its descent for landing in May. Layover in December!

When I learned how much energy it takes to get a plane off the ground, I almost felt relieved. I say this because it used to bother me how tired I was in late August, early September. Sure, my plane is a 747; I also coach a fall sport. I haven't had to make cuts in a few years and that task is always challenging. I only finalized my roster today. But I figured after these many years in teaching, the plane had to be lighter and the burden lessened. The flight path ought to be much more clear. Why the need for the same amount of fuel? Wrong question. Errant approach.  

My love for the US Open has helped me to realize how much I value the physical demands of teaching and coaching. I am heartened by the fact that standing, instructing, leading and guiding wears me out. No, I don't use a towel to dry off the sweat but I do have time to sit during a changeover. Yes, I marvel at the players who take the match into the fifth set or win the tie breaker. I look at them and hope I dig as deep and remain calm. I want to give my best when challenges arise and figure a way to excel.   

In sports we see what is required of the body; in education, we know what is expected of the mind. Neither is complete without the integration of it all. Thanks to organizers of the US Open, the USTA, for hosting a Rock n Roll Tourney. And all the gratitude in the world to the athletes themselves who make me love, not dread, Back to School. I can't wait to talk to kids tomorrow about the four US women in the final and the del Potro vs. Federer match. You are great teachers!

Photo Credits
Fed US Open 2017
Four US Women
del Potro