Zen is Key to Top Tennis - Henin - 網球

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Zen is Key to Top Tennis - Henin
Friday, 29 June, 2007

What to do during a rain delay? It is an age-old problem here at Wimbledon.
How long will the rain last? Should the players try to eat something, find
somewhere to practise or simply relax?

One person who has a fair amount of experience in weather-breaks is Justine
Henin. The Belgian was forced off court in the latter stages of her third
round victory over Elena Vesnina, for a rain break lasting just over one
hour, but then strolled to victory on her return to court. So what is the
secret of the perfect rain break?

“The delay was the toughest part of the game today,” explained the
confident number one seed. “I was waiting to see how long it would last to
see whether I should have something to eat.

"I did end up having something in the end because I’d obviously had
breakfast very early today since I was first up on court. It can get tiring,
having to wait patiently – but that’s good practice for me!”

Patience is a virtue, or so the saying goes, and it is the kind of quality
seldom seen among young tennis players. “I used to be so impatient,” said
Henin.

“Now that I have a little more maturity I can sit back and accept weather
breaks. In 2001, when I had to wait to play the final against Venus on the
Sunday, you wouldn’t believe the amount of nervous energy I burned up!

"Nowadays I’m more Zen. It comes with age and maturity.”

Over-eagerness can also be a problem before rain breaks even come. “The
clouds put pressure on you,” she continued. “I looked up, saw them coming
and for a second, I was desperate to get the break before they came.

"But then I thought, ‘No, just remain calm’. In the past, I definitely
tried to accelerate when the rain was coming, but now I just try to forget
the elements, even things like the wind here. One point at a time…”

Rain delays are one thing, but long weekends are another. After three matches
and barely more than two cumulative hours of tennis, Queen Justine now finds
herself with two-and-a-half days off before her fourth round tie against
Switzerland’s Patty Schnyder. How will she deal with that “delay”?

“The rest will do me good. I haven’t played much tennis here but I was a
little tired after Eastbourne (where she beat defending Wimbledon Champion
Amelie Mauresmo in a third-set tie-break). I’ve got training this afternoon
and I’ll be playing every day.

"Off the court, I’m watching Rome on DVD but I won’t see much of that
tonight as the little monsters are coming!”

The little monsters are of course her nieces and nephews. And since a very
public reconciliation with her family prior to this year’s French Open,
Henin has been much more Zen, on and off court.

Written by Drew Lilley

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大家也學Henin要Zen喔

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