It wasn’t The U S Open, just a small junior tennis tournament in Kansas City.
Spencer was in his first final and could not get over the nervousness that seemed to follow him like a cloud.
Maybe it would have been better if his father didn’t sit so close to the court and wear his emotions on his sleeve. Dad had been a nationally ranked player in his glory days and regrettably seemed incredulous whenever Spencer made an error.
When the junior double faulted on match point, his father went ballistic.
He later apologized but the damage was done. Spencer was still shaken an hour after the match and didn’t know if he’d ever play another tournament.
Maybe his dad’s constant talk about Spencer being talented enough to play in college was well intended, but the youngster viewed it as additional pressure and finally asked his father to stop.
Too often a parent’s expectations take the play out of the game and turn it into a struggle for self identity each time the junior takes the court.
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