INTRODUCING TENNIS & LIFE COACH BLOGGER JONATHAN GOLDFARB
At 12 years old in 1986, I, Jonathan Goldfarb, was the U.S. National Tennis Champion on
clay courts. My friend and rival Vincent Spadea was the U.S. National Tennis Champion on hard
courts that same year. Ten years later, I was near the bottom of the barrel on the ATP tour at
number 968 in the world. Vince, that same year, was number 54 in the world on his way to wins
over the world’s best, including Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, and Roger Federer. Comparing
Vince’s superior results next to mine pushed me to answer challenging questions such as: How
come people with similar results early in their lives vary so much in accomplishments later in
life? Where could I devote my talents, achieve new successes, and feel happy?
One main reason why some people attain greatness in their respected profession or craft
stems from fortunate circumstances such as level of talent. However, the knowledge about what
it takes to become a great teacher at something is not contingent on reaching greatness in one’s
field. Due to the importance, I previously placed on the credential factor as a teacher, a difficult
challenge for me was learning to let go of the idea that I personally needed to be one of the best
tennis players in the world prior to reaching greatness as a professional tennis and life coach. In
time, I learned how to judge myself based upon my progression from past to present. I also
realized that if world renowned tennis coach Nick Bollettieri could become one of the greatest
tennis teachers without ever playing competitive tennis, then my tennis results more than qualify
me to be a great teacher.
My initial transition into the world away from professional tennis though created a brand,
new set of challenges for which I was not initially prepared. Stepping away from old, comforting
habits for the pursuit of new challenges was difficult for me. Despite maturing in many ways, it
wasn’t easy for me to throw away my idealistic side. Could I have been one of the best tennis
players in the world had I absorbed more wisdom around me? As much as I sought to answer
questions pertaining to my highest potential in professional tennis, my mission of helping others
in and out of tennis became much more important.
Thanks to tennis, I was given a full, four-year tennis scholarship to Rollins College, a
beautiful school with a rich history. I traveled the world competing in tournaments. I developed
healthy lifestyle habits necessary for on and off court success. My lifetime of experiences as a
competitor, coach, mediator, and student of the game has allowed me to incorporate my beliefs
into books which are finally at the ladder stages to publish. I look forward to sharing them with
you and continuing this dialogue. My blog series at the South Florida Tribune is dissected into
two completely different genres called tennis and life, even though in reality they both relate. For
any questions, please contact me at [email protected].
