I've noticed something with rankings. The more I care about that number, the farther down into the toilet it goes!
The first time I noticed this phenomenon when I was younger, I decided
our club ranking system was all wrong. I was below my dad and
that must be a mistake! I had recently got the best of him.
I got flustered with this list of numbers, and watched as mine in
particular got larger and larger. I am sure I played worse the
more I worried about it, and I'll bet many people can relate.
Eventually, I realized it's not the math that's wrong, it's me that's
wrong. It doesn't matter what number I am. If I don't beat
the best players, I don't deserve to be at the top. I love this
quote from a song by the Tragically Hip, "No one's interested in
something you didn't do". The ranking gods don't care if you had
a close, exciting five setter with the numero uno, and they are sort of
indifferent if you beat someone a few spots ahead of you.
Recently, I was thinking I need to get my ranking up so that I can get
into the big WSA tournaments. Fair enough. But this is a
catch 22. Yes, I can concern myself with the fact that my ranking
needs to be higher to play in these events, but to what end? The
main issue here is this: what little thing do I need to work on and
improve that will help me challenge the players above me, and hopefully
get a win. Or two or three. I have had a couple wins
recently and so I'm thinking this approach is helpful. Although
this battle certainly isn't over. I am sure I will have to remind
myself of all this in the future.
This ranking hype follows people from club level, through juniors, and
onto the pro tour. Rankings are never, ever perfect from what I
have observed in my 23 years. Please let me know if you have the
perfect formula, as I know it will help ease a few troubled souls, and
help with team orders, etc. In the meantime, I'm going to focus
on beating the best!
Sam Cornettis the Canadian national champion.
What's On My Mindis a column by rotating authors. Contact: DailySquashReport@gmail.com
