That little pause!

Today in the morning, I was watching last quarter final match of US Open 2006 in men’s group between James Blake and Roger Federer. The match was dominated by Roger Federer for most of the time. But then that is expected of him. He managed to carry this year’s form in US Open also. His consistency is just amazing. His game is marvelous and dominating, but not ruthless.

Roger Federer is my current favorite in men’s tennis. Before Roger, I liked Pete Sampras’s game. I think, they have lot of similarities between them. Both have emotionless, blank face. They enjoy their game. Their celebrations after a win are very controlled. Very mature personality and a much matured game. Their calm and quiet nature adds to that maturity.

On the other hand, James Blake is a new kid on the block. His game is also amazing. I liked his attitude too. But then, he still has few things to learn. But the signs that he showed in today’s game were remarkable.

Blake managed to win one set in the five setter quarter final match. In the fourth set, Roger was 5-1 ahead and Blake was serving in the 7^th game of this fourth set. The battle was almost won by Roger. All he was required was to break James’s service and take the set 6-1 and in turn advance to the semifinal.

But Blake showed lots of character today. He managed to save his own serve. And the set was 5-2 and it was time for that small break. I am not sure what all was going through his head during that break. But he was very quiet. As he sat on his chair, he must have thought about breaking Roger’s server in the next game and keep the match still alive for him. On the other hand, Roger was same old calm but confident fellow. He got up from his chair before Blake and was ready to serve. Even then, Blake was still on his chair. May be he was trying to boost his self confidence.

And when he got up from his chair, I felt a different confidence level in him. The difference was the way he walked to his part of the court with some extra confidence and that “never to say die” attitude, that was evident from his face. Some how, he was pointing to the fact that “all was not lost”. He can still come back in the game and there are lots of chances of it. That extra time for which he was still seating on his chair, that extra pause changed him tremendously.

But when Roger served, Blake could not return his serve. Crowed went mad for Roger and they were all thinking as that was the last game of that match. But Blake bounced backed in the game and in the end he broke Roger Federer’s serve. Then he managed to keep his serve and from 5-2, the scores became 5-4.

The change was not only in score, but the way Blake played in those two games. He was just looking unstoppable. The commentator who had already declared Roger’s win now started praising Blake. And this new found confidence of Blake caused some problems to Roger’s confidence. He had few unforced errors in those two games.

That little pause was still working for Blake.

After 5-4, they had one more break and once again Roger was to serve. But this time, Roger managed to hold his serve and ultimately won the game and a spot in the Semifinals of US Open 2006.

I was happy for Roger, for advancing into the Semifinals. But I did learn few lessons from Blake as well. I got the importance of that little pause. The importance of that little analysis, which he may have done. That attitude of not accepting defeat till the final whistle is blown. Though in the end, James Blake could not win the set, he definitely proved his guts and confidence.

In our everyday life, we do need to take such small pause. Pause to think, to analyze and understand, different situations we are in or we see around us. Collect all the energy and control of the rhythm of our life. And may be this little pause can make wonders!

So, once in a while, take some time off to think and take control of our situation before it is too late!