Every "Hard Yard" is a Mile...

I read an article in the last few days about the most recent "scandal" involving up and comer Bernard Tomic. It had something to do with his association with some criminal/underworld types back home in Australia. Reading this got me thinking about some things. Tomic is no stranger to controversy. He can't seem to figure out how to drive a car within the limits of the law, punches friends and does various other things that could be chalked up to youthful stupidity. However, he is also widely viewed as frequently wasting the large amount of tennis talent he has. His own Davis Cup captain and advisers have labeled him as having a poor work ethic and a lack of commitment.

Tomic is not alone. When I think of him, some other names come to mind. Ernests Gulbis, Richard Gasquet and Donald Young are a few that come to mind immediately. All of these guys have large amounts of talent but seem unwilling/unable to apply the necessary steps to capitalize on it. Gulbis and Young say really stupid things publicly and Gasquet fluctuates between playing incredible tennis and incidents like the one where he had to fight a drug suspension by saying he tested positive for cocaine after kissing a girl in a club (seriously?)  They all are also widely viewed as having poor work ethics.

There was a great quote about Andy Murray's off season training this winter that talked about him putting in the "hard yards." To me, that perfectly sums up what separates the big 4 from the field and especially the aforementioned players. Each of them are consumed by a desire to be great. Federer is well known for having a tremendous competitive fire. Djokovic has transformed into a monster in the last couple years. Nadal has shared how he finds pleasure in the painful moments on court and Murray broke through last year and transformed his game's weaknesses. Each of them has a passion for tennis that goes beyond just the on court hours. Tennis is a part of who they are, not just what they do. It is these "hard yards" that result in them seeming to be miles above their competition. Tomic, Gulbis, Gasquet and Young seem to be content to be where they are (still amazing compared to any of us hackers), but don't seem to grasp what is necessary to be great. For them, tennis has office hours and an off season.

To me, the hype surrounding a lot of these up and coming players (Tomic, Raonic, etc) needs to slow down. Somebody will break through at some point. For now though, the big 4 are clearly beyond the rest of the tour when it comes to commitment and desire. Talent is nothing without the will to apply it. It will be a race to see which younger player can figure out that puzzle first.

"Champions keep playing until they get it right." -Billie Jean King