Adversity

“You don’t learn to walk by following the rules. You learn by doing and by falling over; and it’s because you fall over that you learn to save yourself from falling over.” —Richard Branson We at Huskie men’s tennis are in the thick of our season. Conference play is underway, the most vital part of the year. It’s like tax season and we’re paying our dues every day. As head coach, our 7-7 record is nothing to write home about. Our losses already exceed the 18-6 finish we posted in 2024 and nine matches remain. I would venture to say that our current state is the biggest challenge of my career. Not to brag, but “batting 500” is not the norm for me. Batting 500 may get you in the Baseball of Hall of Fame —in tennis—not so much. Whereas our players are making their share of unforced errors, I’ve made a few mistakes of my own: Yet, every day at practice, the team is happy, including myself. We’re an enthusiastic bunch, poking fun at each other, and working on the things that will move the needle forward. We’re not “dominating” yet I’m having the time of my life. During our struggles, I’ve been tempted to call a mentor or two. You know, get some advice. Yet, I’ve resisted the urge because they don’t know our guys. They’re not “in the room” day-in and day-out. It’s my job to find the way forward. Solutions aren’t found in books. There are no rules. And I’m loving every minute of it. Embrace the struggle, — René Vidal