Google News PTCA - On My Mind: PTCA Master Gerald Mild – Injuries and Pandemic Tennis
by HAKAN DAHLBO | VIEW 4384
I also now have the necessary time to think about what it was like before when I was U14 U16. Up until I was 15, we didn't have a tennis hall in Sankt Johann in Pongau. That meant 7 months of skiing (almost every day), tobogganing (walking on the mountain, not taking the lift), throwing snowballs (estimated at 100,000), playing tag in the deep snow, etc.
Simply do sports WITHOUT tennis trainers, sports scientists, condition trainers, nutritionists, mental trainers, kinesiology experts, sports motor, and sports medicine tests. Of course, I'm not opposed to all the new methods and tools available today.
For 5 months in the summer, the tennis club was stormed every day, and every member begged until one or the other took pity on us children to play. Whether the club player sliced, high, flat, sharp, or denied every tight ball, we wanted to play.
I almost forgot, during the summer holidays, we had group training with a sports student once a week. Then we are on the soccer field to kick, and from there to the outdoor pool, not to swim, no diving and high diving. When it got dark we had to go home, even then there was the school with homework.
We were putting a rope across the street, and drew a mini tennis court with chalk, here we learned how to win and lose, and we didn't want to lose back then either. The garage door, the house wall, and a ball wall were already merciless in the error rate, we held against them for hours until we couldn't see anything in the dark.
What I want to say to you: It's not a "disaster" if your child isn't able to play tennis for a few weeks, it should take the time for exercise and sport, to get away from everyday stress. I am convinced that it would help most children a lot and that many young people would be strengthened, fit and hungry again and show their skills on the tennis courts.
For me, this wonderful childhood was enough for numerous Austrian championship titles, Davis Cup appearances, and ATP Top 200, as well as a very nice job that has always connected me with tennis, also as a coach. It wasn't the fault of the association, the trainers, or my environment for my top 100 placement not being achieved, no, I only gave 90% in the decisive phase, and unfortunately, that was 10% too little.
The crucial muscle of an athlete is the "heart" and that was and will be the difference. With that in mind, no panic at all, stay focused.
- Gerald Mild, PTCA Accredited Master Professional
