Success vs. Joy

- LXXIII -

Keep Calm

After one good stroke, you cannot become Complacent. You have to be ready for the next stroke, then the next, and then the one after that. The secret is to forget the past, including the good strokes, and give the present your best.

It is very important to remain calm in all situations, good and bad. Some players like cheering themselves. I am not among them. If I kept on saying “come on Geet! come on Geet!” while I’m playing, I would only end up becoming agitated. I would rather remain calm and concentrate on my technique and enjoy the sweet spot.

The role of your family in keeping you calm is crucial. I have been married to Kiran for 18 years. Before a tournament she always makes a special effort to remain calm and supportive. If there has been a crisis at home, she will not tell me about what has happened until my tournament is over. These are among the many ways she has adjusted and helped.

Above all, Kiran has never prevented me from fulfilling my professional commitments irrespective of any alarming situation that she may be facing. She knows how much joy I derive from sport and what it means to me. Even though she might well want me to be present on her birthday, she would never dream of preventing me from touring or participating in a tournament that clashes with the date. I strongly feel that sportspersons who have established a good, meaningful, and deep relationship with their partners perform better as a result. Domestic tensions do not disturb their concentration. And they manage to remain calm.

Chapter LXXII :: Chapter LXXIV