“When you go out there and compete, absolutely bring all of yourself. Pay the price.”
— Ilana Kloss, CEO and commissioner of World TeamTennis. Over breakfast this morning with Kloss and Karen Durkin, the CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation, we chatted about the topic of today’s post on Postcards: how to stretch your talent. Kloss, who once ranked No. 1 in doubles tennis worldwide, and Durkin, a former standout swimmer and golfer, said that doing everything in your power to win–and knowing that you tried so hard–breeds the confidence that distinguishes champions. And this advice applies off the court or the field as well. When Billie Jean King, who runs World TeamTennis with Kloss, is prepping for a speech or appearance, “She drives us crazy, absolutely crazy, planning for everything and anything to go wrong,” Kloss said. “She’ll say, ‘What about this? What about that? What if this happens?’ By the time Billie gets on stage or on the court, she’s laid out every possible scenario in her mind. And at that point, she’s totally calm.”