Serena!

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

Tennis: US Open - Serena William Tantrum
On The TunneySide of Sports September 17, 2018 #710 Up next…Serena!

After further review…It was certainly an unfortunate occurrence in the Women’s final tennis match on September 8, 2018, in the U.S. Open tournament played at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, New York City. Naomi Osaka defeated Serena Williams 6-2 6-4 to be the first Japanese woman to win a Grand Slam tournament. Williams came from the 17th seed to advance to the finals and was heavily favored as well as being the 27,000-fan favorite. Osaka, seeded 20th, was clearly the underdog.

The confusion (AKA controversy) happened in the second set. While most experts agree Osaka was playing better than Williams, it was Williams that, in frustration of losing her serve, smashed her racquet on the ground at her baseline, destroying that equipment – a violation. Chair umpire Dr. Carlos Ramos immediately issued a violation for that act. It was the second violation for Williams in that set. The first was for a “coaching” violation from her coach sitting in the stands. Most observers agree that Serena did not see the coaching act by her coach, Patrick Mouratogula, but Ramos did. More on coaching in tennis later.

With the smashing of the racquet, her second violation, Umpire Ramos gave a point to Osaka. Williams lost her composure and accused Ramos that she was cheating. “I don’t cheat,” said Serena. That’s not the point. The coaching violation was admitted by Mouratogula. Others commit coaching violations and some chair umpires ignore it. Ramos was only following tennis rules. Could he have ignored it, perhaps? Was he wrong in enforcing it? No! Ramos is a 54-year-old gastroenterologist from Miami. Did he issue those warnings and the ultimate loss of a game for Serena because he was prejudice against women? The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has supported Ramos and has fined Williams $17,000 for her behavior.

Not in defense of Ramos — but until you have sat in that chair and had to make those calls, be careful of your criticism. Having worked in that capacity for World Team Tennis, created by Billie Jean King, some 40 years ago, I can attest that women and men were treated alike. It is a lame excuse to say that men can berate the umpire, but women cannot. This writer doesn’t buy that. Having been berated by Romanian Ilie Nastase in WTT and penalizing him for his egregious on-court behavior, I can attest to that. Had Coach Patrick been courtside during Serena’s outburst, he might have settled her down and prevented the chaos. Let coaches sit courtside!

Will you log-in: do you think Serena was penalized because of gender or race or behavior?

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My book “It’s the Will, Not the Skill”  can be found here for $20 with free shipping, a free bookmark and is autographed by me.

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To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com.

Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more.

Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports

Be sure to get Jim’s book ‘Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ by clicking this link or using the email above to contact Jim directly.

These TunneySides take issues from real-life situations and relate them as inspiration for the betterment of others.

Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!

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Doing the right thing!

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On The TunneySide of Sports September 10, 2018 #709 Up next…Doing the Right Thing!

After further review…While the intent of the TunneySide of Sports is to promote the positive aspect of sports, usually from sports stories themselves, often an issue inspires this writer to take life lessons from other sources and apply them to sports. Such is the case of the late Senator John McCain’s characteristics that were attributed to him during his funeral. Of special interest was his collaborative efforts and his personal emphasis on telling the truth. However, the late senator would be first to admit mistakes he made during his lifetime.

Senator McCain worked with “both sides of the aisle,” as his political acumen was evident in tributes paid to him from all political parties. He stood his ground, maybe to the offense of his own party, when it was important to maintain his integrity. He fought for what he thought was right. He defended an opponent when words spoken were not so – in his mind. Can we speak about our athletic opponents with civility, even they may be fierce competitors?

McCain’s presidential campaign (circa 2008) carried his theme: ‘Straight Line Express’ with his persistent statement: “I will never lie to you!” How often do we hear that from our politicians? Those words are emphasized in the poem “The Man in the Glass.” While McCain had to make some statements that were heard throughout the world, it is the thinking here that he could always look at himself in the mirror and know his integrity was intact. Can we rely on our athletic coaches, players, and officials to do the same? This writer believes: “If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters!”

During his presidential campaign while in the state of South Carolina, he came up short! By his own admission, he was not honest, when commenting on the Confederate flag and statues of Confederate civil war heroes. He “looped-it” as it were, as opposed to “straight-lining.” Reflecting on what he had said, he soon realized that he had violated his own standards and, as soon as he could, went public with his error. He said he became more interested in winning that state than in being true to himself. This is where McCain’s beliefs place him above others.

How often do athletic personnel place integrity above winning? In today’s athletic events, is winning the only thing? Where does integrity, good sportsmanship, civility, respect for your opponents, and for the game itself tend on the old Golden Rule?

Will you log-in on where winning falls in the order of what’s important in sports?

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My book “It’s the Will, Not the Skill”  can be found here for $20 with free shipping, a free bookmark and is autographed by me.

51kATS+kmIL._SX398_BO1,204,203,200_

To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com.

Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more.

Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports

Be sure to get Jim’s book ‘Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ by clicking this link or using the email above to contact Jim directly.

These TunneySides take issues from real-life situations and relate them as inspiration for the betterment of others.

Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!

Posted in Current Affairs, Tunney Side of Sports Columns | Leave a comment

Labor Day and Opportunities

Posted on September 3, 2018 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

Labor Day and OpportunitiesOn The TunneySide of Sports September 3, 2018 #708 Up next…Labor Day and Opportunities

After further review…As we take a moment to give thanks for the opportunity to “labor,” that is, have a job, I recall some 70 years ago my summer job. I was privileged to work as a ticket-taker at Del Mar Race Track in Del Mar, California. It was known then, as it is now, as “Del Mar — where the turf meets the surf.” The turf track was just a few hundred yards from the pounding surf. It was a job between my high school graduation and Occidental College, in Eagle Rock, California. I was looking forward to college, but thankful for a summer job.

My family has been in thoroughbred racing most of my life; not me, except for that ticket-taking opportunity. My father was in thoroughbred racing for 20 years, after he left school administration. He was a steward, having served as a paddock and patrol judge. The stewards are responsible for the proper running of the race, e.g., the locating and calling of infractions, which may occur during the race. My dad, who had never even been on a horse, decided to take this opportunity to improve living conditions for his family. He had 4 children who were college-bound. His brother, Willard, was the first general manager of that Del Mar track.

My brother Peter followed in dad’s footsteps, but on the administrative side. After serving in administration at Del Mar and Hollywood Park (Inglewood, CA. – where the new Los Angeles Rams football stadium is being built), Pete became the general manager at Golden Gate Fields in Albany, CA. where he served for 40 years. My son, Michael worked at Del Mar and other California tracks for 40 years. My uncle, Willard, and his family also worked at Del Mar and other Southern California race tracks.
Except for my dad and Peter, these race track opportunities were mostly part-time positions. We have been very fortunate as well as grateful for these opportunities, but also have an eagerness to delve into something unfamiliar. There are many such racing stories involving owners, trainers, jockeys, and yes, even the thoroughbreds themselves that became successful.

Seabiscuit and other horses, not given a chance to succeed, have risen to great heights. In 2000, Julie Krone, at 4 feet, 10 inches was the first woman to be inducted into National Racing Hall of Fame as well as the first female jockey to win the Belmont Stakes as part of racing’s triple crown.

Will you look for opportunities by expanding your vision?

My book “It’s the Will, Not the Skill”  can be found here for $20 with free shipping, a free bookmark and is autographed by me.

51kATS+kmIL._SX398_BO1,204,203,200_

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com.

Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more.

Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports

Be sure to get Jim’s book ‘Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ by clicking this link or using the email above to contact Jim directly.

These TunneySides take issues from real-life situations and relate them as inspiration for the betterment of others.

Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!

Posted in Tunney Side of Sports Columns | Tagged | 1 Comment