April 18, 2017 by admin

‘Mental strength makes you a champion’

New Delhi, To be a force in tennis, it is not enough to be the tallest or the strongest but being mentally sound is the most pertinent quality of a champion, said Spanish great Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. Sanchez’s 1989 triumph over German Steffi Graf in the final of the French Open is a part of tennis folklore. At the age of 17, she won her first Major trophy at Roland Garros and went on to collect 14 Grand Slam trophies, including four women’s singles.
The game is getting more and more physical with insane training schedules and disciplined diet but the 45-year-old, who is now a commentator, says being physically strong is not enough. “You don’t have to be the tallest or the strongest. Tennis is a very mental game and that’s the most important thing. If you have that strength, after that you can be physically conditioned and then comes the technique. What makes a champion is your mentality, capacity to play right points at important moments and tenacity,” Sanchez said.
The winner of six women’s doubles and four mixed doubles titles is in New Delhi to conduct tennis clinics for the junior players as part of Rendez-Vous, an event to give the kids an opportunity to compete at the junior French Open. Asked if champions can be created or are they born, Sanchez said talent is a must which can be polished. “You have to have something when you play, but after that, you can train and be a champion.” She gave an example of her famous 1989 duel with Graf at the French Open final. “My mentality was very strong, I never gave up. I used my strength and defence but also played attacking, went to the net. I explored different options to play my best and win,” she said.