Tennis really brings out the true nature of different people. It is a sport that is a great litmus test for how a person responds to losing. A win in a game of tennis will always feel better than a loss, and I think that’s one of the things this sport is so great at gauging: how an individual responds to a win/lose situation. It is very psychological and highly mental, as the saying goes. In a way, it is a reflection of life as well. In relationships, in our careers, in school, we win at things and we lose at things. Overall, life is never a strictly fair playing field; yet, how you respond to your situation is key.
For instance, I’m a pretty good tennis player, and good student, and a decent artist; however, it is quite clear that there are other people better than me. I don’t necessarily lose sleep over that fact and I don’t aspire to that level, unless I perceive there to be a necessity. However, some people are just wired to be more competitive and these individuals may actually lose sleep over the feeling of being lesser. Men, on average, are said to be a little more competitive than women, and I can definitely sense that in my youth that competitive fire from–mostly heterosexual–men around me. It’s a fascinating phenomenon because putting someone like me, who’s relatively talented with a group of highly competitive, lesser talented men is not necessarily a great mix. It can actually be an explosive situation. (What is bro?)
The Ivory Tower 
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