Wow! This was a terrific effort
from all. This was one of those games that makes coaching so
much fun. You never backed down, in spite of repeated efforts
by bigger players to take you off your game. You let them hit,
then calmly, methodically, deliberately, passed around the hits,
and played a power game to the net. There was nothing they could
do to stop you today; they had a difficult time trying to hit
what they couldn't catch. I am really pleased with the overall
improvement in all of your individual play this season, but
its all secondary to the pride I have for your incredibly, unselfish
team play. Our pass totals were way, way up today. When all
work to make others look good, we all look good. They tried
to play to their strengths -- size, size, size and intimidation.
None of it worked. You didn't let it work. You played the game
the way it's supposed to be played. Great effort! Great game!
When
I was 12, I was throwing my racket all over the place and cheating
all the time. I was a real nut case. Hitting balls over the
fence -- everything. My parents were ashamed and finally refused
to come to a single match. Suddenly, I was suspended for six
months by the Swedish Association. I lived in a very small town
and the news of my suspension spread quickly. People whispered
behind my back. I took it very much to heart and it was devastating.
I remember as if it was yesterday. Now if my opponent cheats,
or if I get a terrible call, I don't say a thing. I guess the
memories have stuck with me so that I'll never do anything crazy
or unsportsmanlike in front of a lot of people. I'd hope I wouldn't
do it anywhere, crowd or not. --
Bjorn Borg