“Arroga a playe for him
Zen Tennis In every match, there’s a turning point. An easy overhead shanked into the net. A crosscourt backhand that skids wider than our opponent can reach. These crucial points change the momentum of the match; they are the keys to winning and determine our character as players, as well as clutch performers in life. That’s the conventional wisdom, perpetuated by most players, the tennis media and the majority of coaches. And it’s dead wrong. In tennis, as in life, it’s always a benefit to keep your cool. Dr. Desmond Oon, USPTA Master Life Pro, former Davis Cup player for Malaysia and national tennis coach for Singapore, would like players to disregard the noise in their minds, play better tennis and enjoy the game. “No single point is bigger or smaller than the other,” says Oon, author of “Soft Tennis” and “Can Eastern Wisdom Improve Your Tennis? You Bet.” A PhD and board-certified hypnotherapist, Oon radiates Zen calmness like George Clooney oozes charm. For scoreboard-
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watchers and others who choke at critical moments, Oon suggests watching the flight of the ball or concentrating on a full stroke and follow through instead of the score.
Zen Lesson One Breathe. Live in the Moment. This is one of many gems that intellectually, many of us know to be true. But only on the court, watching him play and listening to him guide the student, does Oon’s Zen nature reveal itself. I’m a little old to be Ralph Macchio, and we don’t do “wax on, wax off,” but the Redondo Beach, California Master Life Pro plays the part of Mr. Miyagi to perfection. At 75 he doesn’t possess the speed or power he demonstrated during his pro career in the 1960s or during his promotional tour with a young Bjorn Borg in the 1970s. But what he lacks in power he makes up for in depth, spin, placement and anticipation. There’s something about the calmness of his spirit, the consistency of his