I was present at Serena and Samantha's first head to head meeting at the Rogers Cup in Toronto this year.
Aug. 14, 2011 Rogers Cup finals
Serena won 6-4 6-2. Serena leads 4-2 in head to head meetings.
Aug. 18, 2011 Cicinatti Open, 2nd round
Serena withdrew before her second round match against Samantha began due to a sore toe.
Sep. 11, 2011 US Open finals
My pre-match prediction: a 3-set match. Both women are playing for a great deal more than just themselves. They are playing for the pride of their nations.
Samantha is acutely aware of tennis history. In 2010, she was the first Australian woman to make the finals of a grand slam since Evonne Goolagong-Cawley won Wimbledon in 1980. She is the first Aussie woman to play in the finals of the US Open since Evonne did in 1977.
As an American, few victories could give Serena greater satisfaction than to win the US Open in New York on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, figuratively, in the shadow of the twin towers; especially in her come back year after an 11-month absence from tennis due to injury and serious illness.
Of course, I'm looking for Serena to win. This would be the crowning event to a Cinderella tennis season for her.
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Champions do it ONE POINT AT A TIME
As a Black man and an aspiring photo journalist, photographing Serena Williams during this year's Rogers Cup was truly a treat. Serena, like so many other tennis champions, wins games, sets and matches ONE POINT AT A TIME.
When you stop to think about it, it makes perfect sense. Now if only each of us athletic mortals could learn to live our everyday lives ONE DAY AT A TIME too.
Have you ever wondered how a tennis champion claws their way back into a match when they are down 5 games to 1 or when they are down a set and their opponent is serving for match point?
They do it ONE POINT AT A TIME. They don't focus on winning the match or even winning a set or a game. They only focus on winning the point that it is being played at that precise moment.
Another thing about champions; especially champion athletes in individual sports is their ability to believe in themselves. Their assessment of their skills, abilities and the possibility of winning the next point, the match and the tournament or race is not predetermined by external factors.
Consequently nothing on the scoreboard or any cutting remark made by someone who has never played their sport at their level is going to cause them to relinquish hope or to diminish their belief that they can overcome any and every obstacle en route to achieving their goal.
You see, being a champion is not the result of winning (competition day success). Being a champion is a mind set.
At this point, I have to borrow the words of Richard Williams, father, co-strategist along with their mother, and earliest tennis coach of Serena and Venus. In an August 2001 McLeans magazine interview, he described the four essential qualities that every champion possesses.
A champion has four qualities, and it’s not something you can teach.
1. You have to be rough.
2. You have to be tough.
3. You have to be strong.
4. You have to be mentally sound.
For me, in the world of women's professional tennis, Martina Navratilova, Venus and Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters and Maria Sharapova all exemplify these qualities. On the tennis court, they are ferocious champions, thinking and fighting relentlessly during every second of every match that they play.
These women all inspire me to be the best that I can possibly be and to strive consistently to achieve my goals and dreams. Ladies, I thank you.
P.S. My biggest challenge while photographing Serena from the photographer's pit was to resist the temptation to cheer her on too enthusiastically.
Reference:
Q & A with Richard Williams, Venus and Serena’s famous father
The former-coach-turned-writer talks about creating champions, his critics, parenting, and the problem with tennis
http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/09/01/richard-williams-venus-and-serena%E2%80%99s-famous-father-on-creating-champions-his-critics-parenting-and-the-problem-with-tennis
When you stop to think about it, it makes perfect sense. Now if only each of us athletic mortals could learn to live our everyday lives ONE DAY AT A TIME too.
Have you ever wondered how a tennis champion claws their way back into a match when they are down 5 games to 1 or when they are down a set and their opponent is serving for match point?
They do it ONE POINT AT A TIME. They don't focus on winning the match or even winning a set or a game. They only focus on winning the point that it is being played at that precise moment.
Another thing about champions; especially champion athletes in individual sports is their ability to believe in themselves. Their assessment of their skills, abilities and the possibility of winning the next point, the match and the tournament or race is not predetermined by external factors.
Consequently nothing on the scoreboard or any cutting remark made by someone who has never played their sport at their level is going to cause them to relinquish hope or to diminish their belief that they can overcome any and every obstacle en route to achieving their goal.
You see, being a champion is not the result of winning (competition day success). Being a champion is a mind set.
At this point, I have to borrow the words of Richard Williams, father, co-strategist along with their mother, and earliest tennis coach of Serena and Venus. In an August 2001 McLeans magazine interview, he described the four essential qualities that every champion possesses.
A champion has four qualities, and it’s not something you can teach.
1. You have to be rough.
2. You have to be tough.
3. You have to be strong.
4. You have to be mentally sound.
For me, in the world of women's professional tennis, Martina Navratilova, Venus and Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters and Maria Sharapova all exemplify these qualities. On the tennis court, they are ferocious champions, thinking and fighting relentlessly during every second of every match that they play.
These women all inspire me to be the best that I can possibly be and to strive consistently to achieve my goals and dreams. Ladies, I thank you.
P.S. My biggest challenge while photographing Serena from the photographer's pit was to resist the temptation to cheer her on too enthusiastically.
Reference:
Q & A with Richard Williams, Venus and Serena’s famous father
The former-coach-turned-writer talks about creating champions, his critics, parenting, and the problem with tennis
http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/09/01/richard-williams-venus-and-serena%E2%80%99s-famous-father-on-creating-champions-his-critics-parenting-and-the-problem-with-tennis
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Parent(s)'s Grief
I can't even begin to imagine the personal nightmare that is now an integral part of Mr. & Mrs. Winehouse's every waking moment. How can a parent handle receiving the tragic news that their 27-year-old daughter has been found lifeless in her bed? My daughter is 27. I have no idea how I would have handled such a personal crisis if I were in their shoes.
Two Saturdays ago, I attended the funeral service of a 22-year-old woman who drowned on Canada Day (July 1st). Her untimely death was a major shock to her parents, siblings, grandparents, uncles, aunts, other family members and close friends.
I've never really thought about this situation before now. However, burying your child has got to be the worst possible tragedy that a loving parent could ever face. Children are supposed to bury their parents; not the other way around.
I have no words of wisdom to share. I have no advice to give. All that I can do is to pray for them.
This is one of life's hardest and most cruel tragedies; one that some new families were forced to face today.
At least for Mr. & Mrs. Winehouse, they have each other to hold onto, to cry together, to discuss this tragedy and to recount fond memories of experiences that they shared together with their daughter, Amy.
The couple who buried their daughter were no longer together. As a consequence, during their daughter's funeral service and also at her grave side, each one was not willing or able to reach out to the other. They were geographically together but yet they bore their grief alone.
Sometimes just the tender touch of a loved one is enough.
It lets you know that someone cares what you are going through.
It lets you know that someone wants to share your load.
It lets you know that someone wants to help you to carry your burden.
I hope that tonight when the darkness of sorrow envelopes mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, cousins, friends and neighbours who will never again hear a familiar laugh or be blessed with the dearly departed's beautiful smile, someone will be there to provide them that caring, loving, gentle touch that they need to make it through this storm.
Two Saturdays ago, I attended the funeral service of a 22-year-old woman who drowned on Canada Day (July 1st). Her untimely death was a major shock to her parents, siblings, grandparents, uncles, aunts, other family members and close friends.
I've never really thought about this situation before now. However, burying your child has got to be the worst possible tragedy that a loving parent could ever face. Children are supposed to bury their parents; not the other way around.
I have no words of wisdom to share. I have no advice to give. All that I can do is to pray for them.
This is one of life's hardest and most cruel tragedies; one that some new families were forced to face today.
At least for Mr. & Mrs. Winehouse, they have each other to hold onto, to cry together, to discuss this tragedy and to recount fond memories of experiences that they shared together with their daughter, Amy.
The couple who buried their daughter were no longer together. As a consequence, during their daughter's funeral service and also at her grave side, each one was not willing or able to reach out to the other. They were geographically together but yet they bore their grief alone.
Sometimes just the tender touch of a loved one is enough.
It lets you know that someone cares what you are going through.
It lets you know that someone wants to share your load.
It lets you know that someone wants to help you to carry your burden.
I hope that tonight when the darkness of sorrow envelopes mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, cousins, friends and neighbours who will never again hear a familiar laugh or be blessed with the dearly departed's beautiful smile, someone will be there to provide them that caring, loving, gentle touch that they need to make it through this storm.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Margaret Trudeau: 'Changing My Mind'
Margaret Trudeau shared her insights on living successfully with bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) with a full house at the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon in the Toronto Reference Library.
Her journey to good mental health was a tumultuous one. Her motivation in writing her third book, 'Changing My Mind,' was to give hope, encouragement and to shed some light on the path of other individuals who have bipolar disorder and their families. When one has bipolar disorder, it touches the entire family in a very profound way.
According to one of Margaret's psychologists, when you admit that you have a problem, you are half way on the road to recovery.
Another very important thought that she shared is that, "Denial keeps you from getting the help that you need."
Margaret Trudeau is an inspiring speaker. She is living proof that with God in your life, a solid personal social support network, the willingness to press on and do the hard work, you can survive and grow through any adversity.
November 10, 2010
Her journey to good mental health was a tumultuous one. Her motivation in writing her third book, 'Changing My Mind,' was to give hope, encouragement and to shed some light on the path of other individuals who have bipolar disorder and their families. When one has bipolar disorder, it touches the entire family in a very profound way.
According to one of Margaret's psychologists, when you admit that you have a problem, you are half way on the road to recovery.
Another very important thought that she shared is that, "Denial keeps you from getting the help that you need."
Margaret Trudeau is an inspiring speaker. She is living proof that with God in your life, a solid personal social support network, the willingness to press on and do the hard work, you can survive and grow through any adversity.
November 10, 2010
Saturday, 13 November 2010
What does it mean to love?
It's very easy to talk love but what do you when it's time to put love into action?
When it's 3 o'clock in the morning and the baby's crying again, do you pretend that your asleep and wait for your wife to get up to take care of the baby?
When your friend is homeless, do you let them crash at your place until they can get back up on their feet again? Or are you more concerned about what your peeps would think or say? Or are you worried about how you'll get your friend to leave once you let them stay?
When your friend has no food or bus fare, are you willing to surrender the money that you planned to use to pay for your concert tickets or your new outfit?
Are you really a friend (or just saying so)?
When times are tough for your friends, can they count on you? Are you there to support them in every possible way? at the same time, holding them accountable, sensitively, sensibly, respectfully and in love and not becoming codependent.
"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
Proverbs 17:17 KJV
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| Photo credit: Adobe Stock Photo |
When your friend is homeless, do you let them crash at your place until they can get back up on their feet again? Or are you more concerned about what your peeps would think or say? Or are you worried about how you'll get your friend to leave once you let them stay?
When your friend has no food or bus fare, are you willing to surrender the money that you planned to use to pay for your concert tickets or your new outfit?
Are you really a friend (or just saying so)?
When times are tough for your friends, can they count on you? Are you there to support them in every possible way? at the same time, holding them accountable, sensitively, sensibly, respectfully and in love and not becoming codependent.
"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
Proverbs 17:17 KJV
Sunday, 5 September 2010
In Praise of the Metropolitan Toronto Police
For the second time this summer, I had the opportunity to observe some of Metro's finest as they provided a traffic escort during a march. The officers stopped traffic as needed during the annual Scarborough Seventh-day Adventist Church anti-drug, anti-violence march. As always, the mounted police officer's horse stole the show.
 |
| Awaiting the start of the Scarborough SDA Church anti-drug, anti-violence march on Saturday, September 4, 2010 |
A couple weeks ago, another team of officers provided a traffic escort during the West Toronto SDA Church's annual anti-drug, anti-violence march.
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| Saturday, August 14, 2010 at the West Toronto SDA Church's anti-drug, anti-violence march |
During both marches, the officers were friendly, courteous and professional. They were a pleasure to be around. Today, one or two of the officers cheerfully complied when asked to photograph march participants before the event commenced.
I have lived in Toronto since 1967. Toronto is not what it once was, but in my opinion, Canada is still the best country in the world in which to live. I am proud to be a Canadian citizen and I count it both a blessing and a privilege to live here. A significant part of the reason why Canada (in general) and Toronto (specifically) is one of the best communities on earth (in my opinion), is because of the protection and security that is provided on a daily basis by Toronto's finest.
Sunday, 15 August 2010
Rain delay in the Rogers Cup 2010 final: Federer versus Murray
A second rain delay has temporarily preempted the Rogers Cup men's single's final. Federer fought back from a 2-game deficit in the first match to tie at 5. Murray won the first set 7:5. Federer leads the second set 2:1 but Murray leads the fourth game 30:0. They will be resuming in a couple minutes.
Yesterday, Federer fought a 3-match battle against Novak Djokovic. Murray had a straight set win over Rafael Nadal. Hence strictly from a physiological standpoint, the rain delay favours Roger.
Rain delay no. 3 just began but the fans are going nowhere. There is once again a sea of umbrellas around the court.
Yesterday, Federer fought a 3-match battle against Novak Djokovic. Murray had a straight set win over Rafael Nadal. Hence strictly from a physiological standpoint, the rain delay favours Roger.
Rain delay no. 3 just began but the fans are going nowhere. There is once again a sea of umbrellas around the court.
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