Power of Joy with Pro Jaume Martinez Vich

If you’ve never seen this guy play you should!

In today's Bite Size Pickleball newsletter:

1. The Power of Joy with Jaume Martinez Vich

THE POWER OF JOY WITH JAUME MARTINEZ VICH

In our last newsletter I featured the full article The Power of Joy from Pickleball Magazine. Below is the entire interview I did with one of the players featured.

When I first witnessed Vich in person, I was at the PPA in Utah last summer when he jumped into the arms of one of the Brascia sisters after a match victory. Come on, that’s fun! Not sure how Brascia’s back felt about it however.

The guy always seems to have a smile on his face, winning or losing, and I appreciated the level of enthusiasm. On with the interview this is it!

BSP: What brings you joy about pickleball?

JMV: Pickleball brings me joy in many different ways. I love that there is competition and you get to improve and be better than you were yesterday. Also, I really appreciate the community that has grown behind me and the sport. I maintain the joy for the sport because it’s not every day you have the chance to play a sport for living, and I am very grateful for having this opportunity.

BSP: Are there athletes from other sports you admire because of the joy they play with?

JMV: Yes, I come from tennis so Rafa Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz are great examples of having fun while competing at the highest level.

BSP: Are there times when your sense of joy is challenged on the court? Like, as you get closer to the finals matches? Or if you lose a big match? If so, how do you get back to the joy?

JMV: Yes, absolutely. Every match is a roller coaster of emotions and every day you have different sensations. I always try to remind myself where I come from and how far have I made it to be where I am. It’s a privilege to be in our position and nothing can change that.

BSP: Have you worked with a performance coach?

JMV: I have not worked with a performance coach yet. I am very lucky to have people around me that keep me positive and motivated during my competitions. They believe in me and I want to make them proud of me.

BSP: Do you practice any form of mindfulness, or positive self-talk?

JMV: No I don’t practice any of that. My go-to method is that I can always do better tomorrow. If I suck this week then there’s a week right after that I can do things better. I dont spend much time in matches that I lose or win. I take the important details out of them and move on so I can do better.

I really like the part about not spending much time in the matches after they’re over. Take what you can from them, and move forward. Why is this a good approach? Because it will keep you more in the flow. You’re not in the flow if you’re sitting home brooding from a loss that occurred two weeks ago. The same thing with a victory. So, great, you won a match. Guess what? There’s another one coming! Keep moving forward.

And that same philosophy of flow goes for in-match play. Great! you won a fantastic point! But there is another one coming fast. Oh sh*t! You made an unforced error and you’re chastising yourself once again between the point. NO!!!!!! (As I chastise you) Move forward. Flow. That is where you’re going to find the magic in your play. And, coincidentally, the joy.

“That’s all folks!”