Legendary Role Models
Martin Blackman is the head of USTA player development program for all professional and top junior players in the USA, a former professional player and a Stanford champion. He is currently implementing character development through the game as the most important aspect of training and development for the future stars of American tennis. Martin is my former coach and mentor, and with his example he is one of the greatest role models for the young generations.
Legendary late coach John Wooden of the UCLA basketball (10 NCAA championship titles):
“The best competition I have is against myself to become better.”
“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?”
“You can lose when you outscore somebody in a game. And you can win when you’re outscored.”
“If there’s anything you could point out where I was a little different, it was the fact that I never mentioned winning.”
“It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.”
“Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”
“Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.”
“Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.”
“It takes time to create excellence. If it could be done quickly, more people would do it.”
“Young people need models, not critics.”
“Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character.”
“Be quick, but don’t hurry.”
“Earn the right to be proud and confident.”
“Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”