This is not the first time that Dimitrov has exchanged views with Gawain, nor is it the first time that Gawain has expressed that the pursuit of perfection can easily become a shackle. From Indian Wells to Monte Carlo, they have been in dialogue and communication, promoting and motivating each other to make progress together.
Dimitrov thought he had understood what he meant. After all, the principle was not complicated and everyone understood it.
However, what is the reality? Gao Wen's clay court season has experienced some twists and turns, and all the experiences and lessons have turned into soil, and finally bloomed at Roland Garros.
Dimitrov's clay court season also experienced ups and downs, but he realized that he was still standing still after being eliminated in the first round of Roland Garros.
After stumbling and bumping, Dimitrov finally realized that understanding is one thing, but mastering it is another thing altogether.
Some truths are easy to understand, without any twists and turns, and are clear at a glance; but precisely because they are simple, even if they are heard again and again, they ultimately fail to leave an impression. People often subconsciously think that because they are simple and obvious, they will subconsciously think that their own changes will be a piece of cake, but they continue to make the same mistakes.
Among the vast number of people, some people suddenly realize their mistakes after hitting a wall, and are able to understand the truth only after experiencing unforgettable lessons; but more people are trapped in their own prisons throughout their lives, and even at the end of their lives, they are still unable to glimpse the true wisdom behind simple truths.
"It is easy to change the country, but difficult to change one's nature."
Perhaps this sentence is not accurate here, but it does explain many things.
Dimitrov thought he understood, but in fact he still knew nothing.
As a coach, Rashid is good at adjusting tactics and improving technical levels, but his psychological adjustment is a mess.
Over the past six months, Rashid has been looking for loopholes in Dimitrov's technology and tactics, constantly pursuing perfection within perfection, trying to break the vicious circle of depression that has bound Dimitrov. However, they did not realize that the more they pursued perfection, the more they fell into a rut.
After many twists and turns over the past few months, they are still standing still.
So, now what? Subconsciously, Dimitrov wanted to say, "I get it."
This was always the case when facing Rashid, because Dimitrov could feel the irritability and anxiety coming from Rashid, forming an invisible oppression, so that he just wanted to end the conversation quickly, put an end to this exchange, and then look back and slowly calm down and think deeply.
The question is, does he really understand? Looking at Gawain in front of him, words were already on his lips, but Dimitrov hesitated a little.
"……I see."
Reflexively, the words finally came out of his mouth, and then Dimitrov saw the sincerity in Gawain's eyes, so frank and so bright.
"No, I don't really understand."
Looking at Gawain, Dimitrov noticed that Gawain was listening attentively and patiently waiting for his next words. The words flowed out naturally. He thought this required courage, but in fact, it didn't seem that difficult.
"I understand what you mean."
"When we are in great shape, we just need to play according to our own style and habits. Anyone can do it. The result of winning or losing depends on our strength."
"But when your condition is only six points, if you still play as if you were in good condition, the batting effect may be messed up due to the counter-effect."
"I understand, I get it, but my problem is..."
Dimitrov paused for a moment and thought carefully.
"If I'm only six points, I know I can't win the game, facing Rafa, facing Roger, facing the top 10 and top 20 players in the world, this is obviously not enough, so what should I do?"
"Just play at six points? Yes, in that case, I can play a passable game and not be in a mess, but is this definitely not surrender?"
The words were slightly confusing.
As he was talking, Dimitrov himself became confused. For a moment he didn't know how to express his meaning clearly, which made him a little annoyed. He subconsciously looked at Gawain's eyes.
Then, Dimitrov saw Gawain's encouraging eyes. There was no anxiety and eagerness as he had imagined, nor was there the anger and depression as he had worried about. Instead, he looked patient and focused the whole time, which eased Dimitrov's nervousness a little.
"…Do you know what I mean?"
Gawain waited patiently to make sure Dimitrov had finished speaking, and then nodded slightly, "I'm not sure, but I understand it in my own way."
The sarcastic words made Dimitrov feel a little embarrassed, but he couldn't help but chuckled.
The corners of Gao Wen's mouth also rose.
"Standing on the court, I never thought of surrendering, but I didn't expect that in your eyes, I would surrender."
Dimitrov opened his mouth slightly, looking at Gawain with a sad face, dumbfounded, and waved his hands repeatedly to deny, "Misunderstanding, this is all a misunderstanding."
As a result, a smile appeared in Gawain's eyes. It was obviously a prank.
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Dimitrov: ... "Can I swear?"
Gao Wen shook his head seriously, "No. I think it might affect my public image."
Dimitrov: Phew. I almost failed.
Gao Wen remained calm and continued to speak.
"No, I don't think it's a surrender."
"In my opinion, this is an adjustment based on your own status. When you only have six points, you should build the entire tactical system based on the six points, and then look forward to adjusting the tactics and playing on the spot, and try to play at the level of seven points, or even eight points."
"But on the other hand, if you only have six points but you plan according to ten points, the result may be only four points, or even two points."
"Adjusting according to the state does not mean playing passively, but analyzing the game and the situation down to earth, and then formulating the most appropriate strategy, giving full play to the six-point state at 100% or even 120%, burning the little universe, and seeing if it can unleash potential and awaken the dormant state."
In fact, just like the "half-glass-of-water theory", if you switch your perspective on the same thing, you can see two completely different worlds.
"Grigor, don't forget that tennis is a game of competition."
"Your status fluctuates, and so does your opponent's status. We must analyze the game with a view of continuous change and development. Maybe at the beginning of the game, your status is six points and your opponent's status is eight points, but at the end of the game, the positions may be reversed."
“In pursuit of perfection, we should not compete with ourselves on the state level, but should maintain fighting spirit on the tactical level, state adjustment, and confrontation with opponents.”
Federer and Dimitrov are not the only perfectionists on the tour; similarly, other players are not obsessed with perfectionism, but that doesn't mean they don't pursue perfection.