~ Fire dominates the finalists at the US Open ~

Would it really surprise anyone if they knew that right now the element of fire dominates the vast majority of tennis players who have qualified for the finals on the men’s side of this year’s US Open? When you’ve made it this far in one of the biggest and most prestigious tennis tournaments, your inner fire is lit and this not just because of the heat in NY.
But you know what? Elite tennis players are very different when it comes to their drive and the elements that dominate their game.

When I started studying the principles of the 5 elements, it was like embarking on an exciting journey that has continued to excite me and provide me with lifelong learning. Are you ready for me to take you on an adventurous journey? This blog post will be a mix of tennis on ATP and WTA level, the 5 elements in chinese philosophy and chinese astrology.

Its all about keeping your own rhythm, while you break the rhythm of your opponent

The ancient Chinese observed the influence of the elements in various contexts in their lives and used this knowledge. Not least, the combination of the elements and astrology was used to gain an understanding of the possibilities for planning an upcoming event etc. The 5 elements are the world´s oldest personality type system. They are water, wood, fire, earth and metal.

In fact the 5 elements and Chinese astrology has a lot to do with life in general, but it also has and more to do with tennis than you could actually imagine. When you step onto the tennis court you will try hard to keep your own rhythm, while you try to break the rhythm of your opponent.

The 5 elements helps you to undertsand better how to maintian your own rhythm in such a way, that it makes it more difficult for your opponent to keep theirs. On a mental level this is what the game is all about.

(If you haven’t yet read my blog post, “Can you read the game“, I recommend you do so first to get some basic knowledge).

Fire in the game of tennis

This blog post is more about the Fire type itself in relation to the 5 elements than about any specific tennis player. But allow me to use some examples of how we can shed new light on the game and understand things with more clarity.

If we look at all the quarter-finalists, all 8 players (with the exception of Daniil Medvedev) are dominated by fire or where fire is in combination with another dominant element. They are Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Ben Shelton, Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe, Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz,

Let’s start with Andrey Rublev, who recently was defeated in the quarterfinals against Daniil Medvedev. The reason I’ve chosen Andrey is because I see him as one of the most fiery players on the ATP Tour. This drive is a really good example.
We have no doubt that Andrey is a great tennisplayer, especially when he hits his top level he defintely is one of the best players on the tour. What a drive and what aggressive drive he brings to his game.

Andrey was born in the Year of the Ox and the Month of the Dog. His fire element is supported by the metal element. All together it makes him a great game builder. He has really learnt to anticipate well and positions himself incredibly well in relation to the bounce of the ball, allowing him to hit forehands and backhands with great power and acuracy. His shots have great depth down the court and he tries to angle his shots to increase pressure on the opponent etc.

Fires are present in the here and now

Fires are incredibly present in the here and now and are drawn to one thing now and another in the next moment. They are playful, spontanious and their strength lies in connecting with people, making friendships and creating joy and love. They love to crack jokes etc. Their zest for life and their “feel good drive” rubs off on others. People are drawn towards Fires because they are so carefree and passionate.

Watch players like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton and Andrey Rublev they are all over the court. They fill the entire repertoire of strokes in tennis with great excellence, and they are quite aggressive in their endevour to take advantage of it.

It’s all about self-control in crucial situations in the game. It is the factor that determines whether you win or lose, especially if you got the drive of the Fire element. Fires need to train precision and improve their timing skills to be able to deliver with their aggressive drive, otherwise they will fail. For Fires their game is like moving on a razors edge.

Fires need self-control

Fires have some major challenges that they deal with, which we also can recognize in the game. At some point Fires may tend to lose focus. Fires are lit from the inside and by nature they are adventure-hunters and they live for the moment. They always seek chances on how to challenge their opponent. It takes a good deal of self control to do so without fail. If they start to fail, they sometimes panic or act frantically.

Sometimes Novak loses his attention because of the cowd or his team etc. These things happen when you are so much connected to what the present moments brings on. Sometimes Andrey lose focus or the right timing on seemingly obvious chances, and he loses the point. Carlito has also shown that he can sometimes be paralysed for a brief moment by things that is happening in the game.

Occasionally Fires runs into yet another challenge. Their fire becomes too intense in the heat of the battle and then they start losing control. Gradually the power seeps out of them and their precious fire burns out and they end up losing the game.

“Can you reconcile yourself to the idea that you sometimes make mistakes? Failure is not the problem. But it is, of course, a problem if you repeatedly fail without correcting the mistake. Learn from your mistakes when they happen – then let go and move on.”

~ Lars Christian Schmith

Water balances Fire

When the Fire is out of balance it need the influence of water to heal. If we take Andrey as an example again he has really worked on getting more control on his temper this year. In a way this is how the water element influences fire – water dampens fire.

Players like Andrey can sometimes get stressed if the pressure is too much. When the fire element is out of balance, it needs the influence of the water element.
This can be done in several ways. But the best way is to bring some of the qualities that characterise the Water element into play.

Some of the qualities from water that affects Fires positively is deep reflection, evaluation during the game and after. Space and time for rest and renewal is equally important. Deep breathing and QiGong pratice.

Each Fire type needs to find his or her own way to invite the influence of water into their life.

Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton are both fire- and water types

Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz has the combination of Fire and Water in their drive. Both players are well balanced because of this combination. They are very dynamic in their game and they bring a lot of power to the court. Both players really master most facets of the game and they seem to handle pressure situations and stress pretty well in the heat of battle.

Will Ben Shelton be able to beat Novak Djokovic in the semifinal? Hardly, but in tennis you never know. Ben Shelton is a rising stars, and rising stars sometimes has what it takes to make an upset.

I would say the chances that Ben beats Novak is 1/4.

We’re sure to see more of this young left-handed tennis player as he breaks into the top 20.

Examples of Fires are Bette Midler, Jim Carrey and Tom Cruise.

Thank you for your time….

If you reached so far I like to thank you – you probably found this topic worth spending time on. I have the same feeling – it´s so exciting.
During this year’s US open, It is so exiting to watch which tennis player best hits the Zone. Everything is open and everything can happen in tennis.

– And I am here, ready, to help you if you need a consultation. 

I currently offer 1:1 sessions in English and Danish

I am a mental supervisor. If you are professional and have a team, I offer Add- ons to what you already have. If you’re on your way to becoming a professional, I can help you too.

>Clarify your competences through your particular constellation of elements and astrological aspects.
>How to best prioritise your resources in the Year of the Water Rabbit. We also look further into the future.
>Get the tools to empower your game.
>Simple QiGong exercises as a supplement to your training.

Try a free 30-minute info call on ZOOM and learn more about what I can offer you, and how this can become the gamechanger you have been looking for.

Contact me today.

Lars Christian Schmith, Fulltime QiGong instructor, educational manager and mental supervisor.

Blog post: Can you read the game.

Blog post: How to balance the earth element in the game of tennis and in life.