The PRO Zone




I was just at the US Open as their guest. My mentor, Pauline Betz Addie, was inducted in their Court of Champions, winning four times in the 1940s. 

In walking around several mindless cell phone users nearly collided with me. When I realize I am mindless, I celebrate the gift of the now, also called the present.

Playing tennis has been a form of meditation for me. I call  the “PRO Zone " The acronym PRO- Pause, Relax and Open helps my game — arriving fully to play tennis.

By relaxing in the present, I allow the distracting “mental” weather systems to pass. This allows me to greet each new point. Increasing my concentration, I give my fullest intention to pay attention. 

When I “pause” between points and slow down-- becoming more responsive and less reactive increases my concentration during play. Next, getting myself to “relax” and focusing on mentally showing up can both lessen my errors and my anxiety 

My introduction to mindful tennis first began when I asked my first question to my own tennis guru, Pauline Betz Addie. 

Over 55 years ago, my first question when I met Pauline was, “What is the most important thing in learning tennis?"” This world champion and trail blazer for pro tennis replied, “Concentration.” She was my Zen master: her work skillfully instructing tennis was her play. 

In 1943 Pauline won 48 straight points - a perfect match - in the Tri-State Championship Singles Final. In 1986, Pauline and I (both former Edgemoor Club Pros) won a perfect set of playing doubles together.  

Playing in the “PRO Zone” is a graceful body/mind experience of enjoying this game. The mind becomes quiet, and the body listens and responds. Both meditation and tennis share what is most critical: fine tuning your focus. Concentrating on how the racket meets the ball is a lesson in mindfulness. 

As a PRO, I “pause” calming my mind and body. Pausing lessens my play. Relaxing allows me to arrive in the present instead of wandering off in the past or future. This also lessens my tension. The more I “relax,” the more I “open” to whatever arises. When I become more “open” I expand moment-to-moment attention and improve my play. 

When I pause, relax and open to the “PRO  Zone” I improve my contact point. The volley is an excellent example of learning responsive grace. Any tennis game increases my focus in the now. Just as a camera lens clicks, I develop a shot-by-shot process to be with and listen to my tennis sense. Countless hours of exploring how I can use my body sensations have sharpened my game and expanded their technique. 

For example, when I focus on hitting the tennis ball in the middle of the strings and to notice the sound the ball makes when it meets this sweet spot. This helps me find my “PRO Zone,” the more I can direct the destination of my shots. I prompt myself to “arrive,” with placing the ball in a high percentage area (e.g., the service line T) that troubles future opponents. As I plant seeds of specific intentions, I increase my attention to find my “PRO Zone."” Simply hitting the ball at the bull’s eye instead of just the larger target, I increase my chance for the ball to arrive there. 

Sometimes, I hold my breath when following through on my shot. Reminding myself to inhale on back swing and exhale on follow-through has assisted my performance. Simply exhaling with a calming YES is another fun skill. 

The metaphor of climbing a ladder conveys this similar mindset of awareness. 

It's all about the process, not the outcome. A  tennis “zero-love” comes when I empty myself to just be “here”. I challenge you to find any great superstar that does not have some sort of “PRO Zone." I attempt shots with a sense of effortlessness. I guide myself to enter the “PRO Zone”: a flow state to improve my effortless tempo. Such practice is transformed into a ballet of play. 

I extend the “PRO Zone” into positive stroke visualizations of how to play. Imitating the Pros creates a mental picture lessening my distractions and other counter-productive thoughts. Over a half a century I truly benefited by observing Pauline.

My “PRO zone” cultivates awe as I awaken with this exercise. Such increased experiences excels my tennis play.

My PRO Zone focus embodies:

1) Physical sensations-contact of the ball

2) Breathing - exhale on follow-through 

3) Sounds of hitting the ball in the middle of the strings

Is this “Re-Creation” or “Wreck-Creation?” Relaxing in the now with a sense of alertness is the process. Letting go of the outcome, I become one with the shot. I even visualize myself as a bowl of pure, clear, still water. Emptying myself in each moment I refresh cultivating greater potential. I dissolve my “I” with ball “Eye contact”.

Nothing to resist, I show up in the “PRO Zone.” This is my peak experience of championship play. No matter if I win or lose, I heighten my performance.

Take a breath - Pause, Relax and Open and go into a zone of tennis fun!

If I can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same - R. Kipling.   Wimbledon Center Court sign walking in


https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2024-08-27/us_open_court_of_champions_welcomes_pauline_betz_addie_in_2024.html






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