old head … young shoulders or young head … old shoulders

There is a phrase … “you can’t put an old head on young shoulders” … well, at the recently completed US Open Tennis Championships this phrase not only is challenged but also the reverse !

Let us look at the meaning of ‘old’ (head) – mature, learnt from life, experienced adversity, job knowledge, clear thinking under pressure, sacrifice, love, support, determination, motivation, acceptance, knowing what you want.

In the case of the Women’s winner, Sloane Stephens, the above experiences have all crossed her path through expectations, injury, influences from many directions, disappointments, self analysis, family, decision making, health choices … a US Open where four of her seven matches were 3 x setters and a final of complete dominance … her shoulders only 24 years.

Now lets have a look at ‘young’ (head) – excited, bullet proof, energetic, fast, powerful, in the zone, emotional, quick, no doubts, go for it, high expectations, single focus, stubbornness, bring it on.

The Men’s winner, Rafa Nadal, typifies the above, in a way re-born to do what he does so well with renewed energy after the past few years of setbacks and after many observers writing him off as a serious contender for major events … oops ! Unstoppable at the US Open on 31 year old shoulders that have no right to do what they do – pushed but no limit.

Tennis continues to defy the norm and at Vintage Tennis we are definitely in line … new tennis is coming from anyone, from anywhere !