Vic Braden on Characteristics of a Champion

Vic Braden died last week after spending a lifetime in Tennis. Lauded as an innovator, educator, researcher, and entertainer, Braden was also an accomplished player during the 1950's. Below are his characteristics of Champions derived from a lifetime in the game of Tennis.

excerpted from Colette Lewis' article on Vic Braden from ZooTennis

• The champions have had a goal of becoming a big-time winner at a relatively early age.
• There also was nothing that seemed to be able to deter them from reaching their goal.
• They were keen analysts when observing the strengths and weaknesses in potential opponents.
• They seemed to have the ability to analyze their own game accurately.
• They seemed to be able to analyze quickly when they were getting the right information from coaches.
• When most players were calling it a day on the practice court, future champions were just getting warmed up.
• Champions talked more about hating to lose than basking in the glory of victories.
• The top players seemed to have a unique ability to focus on execution in tight situations rather than worrying about the outcome of the point, or the match.
• Champions seemed to enjoy the pressure of tiebreakers rather than fearing it.
• Champions gave away nothing: they would beat an injured player as fast as they could.