Mental
Tennis is one of the few sports that can be compared to a lifespan: a match can be short, or very long (such
as the one in Wimbledon in 2010 between Frenchman Nicolas Mahut and American John Isner, it finished
after 11 hours in 3-days play and a 70-68 score in the 5th set).
The tennis player must create the game, think, dare, manage stress, regain confidence, nurture his
motivation, suffer fatigue, regain control of the game, and face adversity. It’s a pictorial summary of life, no
matter if ordinary or exceptional.
As a former non profesional player and now photographer, I’m interested in what's behind the game, what
are the players feelings, their struggles, commitments and devotion. Players have an inner fight with
making split second decisions before hitting the ball.
[…]Life, it seems, will fade away
Drifting further, every day
Getting lost within myself
Nothing matters, no one else
I have lost the will to live
Simply nothing more to give
There is nothing more for me
Need the end to set me free
Things not what they used to be
Missing one inside of me
Deathly loss, this can't be real
I cannot stand this hell I feel
Emptiness is filling me
To the point of agony
Growing darkness, taking dawn
I was me, but now he's gone[…]
Fade to black - METALLICA
Being mentally prepared and focused is as important as hitting the ball, controlling the game, managing the
fears, confusion. Bright moments could be followed by dark periods or vice versa.Tennis is about feeling the
ball, and when it happens, the racket becomes an extension of your arm.
As a professional photographer I found a strong similarity between tennis and photography.
Taking pictures is mainly looking for the right moment. Focusing, shooting, controlling the situation, creating
the game, and being mentally connected with body and mind.
The camera could be compared with the racket, an extension of the body - spiritually speaking.
This set of pictures were taken during the ATP Tour venues in Paris, Marseille, Montpellier, Lyon, Barcelona
and Buenos Aires championships and is a chapter of an ongoing project on what’s behind sport values.
