One of our core principles, or "Court Principles" as we call them, is SHOW THEM LOVE. It's at the heart of what Too Good is all about. And there's a beautiful double meaning built into it.
First off, it starts with the very important lesson we learn as kids from all of our coaches--be a good sport (or a Too Good sport, as we like to call it).
Be someone everyone enjoys playing with and against. Be a gracious winner. Give credit where it's due. Lose with dignity. Don't cry and whine, scream and shout. Don't throw fits. Don't be dirty. Don't be a punk.
In tennis, that means make honest calls (don't be a hooker), assume opponents are making calls with good intent, give your opponents credit for great play, don't make excuses for your errors or their better efforts, don't chuck your racquet against the fence (or the net or the ground or the bench), lose with grace and always give it your all.
All of that is showing your opponents, partners and teammates respect and kindness. That's showing them love.
But SHOW THEM LOVE also means killing them with that same kindness. The ultimate sign of respect between athletes is going all out and giving it your best.
So, yeah, try to kick their ass on every single point. Refuse to lose on every single point. Try to stop them from scoring on every single point. Literally show them "love"--as in zip, zero, zilch. Skunk 'em, smoke 'em, roll 'em. Feed them bagels. Love bagels.
If you take this approach, you will be incredibly hard to play. Not only is it really hard for an opponent to want to summon their killer instinct against "Mr. Nice Guy or Gal," it is exhausting to play someone who gives it their absolute all on every point, whose sole purpose is to never let you get a point. No one wants to face that player.
TIP/TRICK: Instead of beating yourself up next time you flub a shot, try complimenting your opponent on something they did during that point--good shot, good hold, good game. You'll be surprised how giving credit to your opponent for their effort, rather than blaming yourself for your mistakes, starts to positively affect your frame of mind.
So, next time you're on the court be a Too Good sport and SHOW THEM LOVE.