Status: ITF senior world champion.
Tennis Inspirations: My tennis inspirations are Billie Jean King, Brian Cheney, Kirk Moritz and Neal Newman. All awesome competitors who get what the game is all about. They taught me that winning is not everything and that doing the right thing is better than winning.
First Tennis Memory: Was playing on the black asphalt courts at Great Neck Estates park. My dad, who was a college baseball player, needed a sport to play after we moved from Queens to the suburbs. He started to hit balls at the park and got hooked up with a bunch of guys like himself. I used to go with him and sneak on a court, use a spare racquet and fantasize that I was playing. I would shadow play. I remember that the courts, which were black as night were so hot that my feet would burn through my sneakers.
Last Book Read: I am currently reading The Talent Code which is in the same genre as the Malcolm Gladwell books of Blink, Tipping Point and Outliers. Both authors create a theory based on something that goes on with consistency in the world. The Talent Code addresses why their are certain hot spots in the World that produce an out of proportion number of highly successful people in one area, i.e. – a two court tennis facility in Russia that had produced six top-20 players or women Korean golfers or artists in Florence during the Rennaisance. It is interesting in that it addresses how learning can be sped up by what he calls “deep learning” in conjunction with an “igniting” experience. He also addresses coaches and how many of the great are ordinary people who are “talent whisperers.”
Favorite Movies: The Godfather I and II, Dances With Wolves and most Woody Allen movies.
Favorite TV Show: Is Friday Night Lights. I also love Entourage, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Modern Family.
Musical Tastes: I listen to a Sirius radio station called “Coffee House” which plays acoustic covers of songs, mostly by the original artist. Bruce Springsteen is my favorite live performer. I was moved by just about every performance in the Hope for Haiti concert, especially Hallelujah by Justin Timberlake.
First Job: Although I worked for my dad at a lumber yard for a number of years and shoveled snow in the winters to make a few bucks, my first formal job was at Kings Point Indoor Tennis Club. I got fired the third week on the job because I thought mopping the floor in the locker room was not in the job description. It is strange that many years later I ran some of the most famous clubs on Long Island and mopped plenty of floors [smiles].
Childhood Dream: Was to live my life with a beautiful woman in a relationship that was as good as my parents’ relationship. After a marriage to my high school sweetheart that lasted thirteen years, I got divorced and found that special beautiful woman and a relationship that exceeded my dreams.
Current Car: Jeep Liberty.
Favorite Meal: I love salmon for lunch and dinner but my favorite meal is breakfast. I have the same just about every day – blueberries, strawberries, raspberries with oatmeal…and one cup of coffee.
Greatest Tennis Moment: My greatest tennis moment was when I refused to play the finals of the World Championships in the 55 & over. The finals were scheduled for Yom Kippur and despite my requests for months that the finals be one day later, the ITF wouldn’t budge. I defaulted even though playing, not even winning, would have given me enough points to be ranked #1 in the world. It was one of the best things ever did in my life, as it put tennis in perspective. Karma must have been in my favor for I won the World Championships and got ranked #1 in the world the following year.
Most Painful Tennis Moment: I have no painful tennis losses as playing always brings me great joy. Losses, even close ones that I let get away, are just part of the game. The joyful wins and painful losses are opposite sides of the same coin.
Strangest Match: Was in the finals of the National 40 Grass doubles against the Bohannon brothers. Ray Lake and I were down 5-0, 40-0 in the third and somehow we got back to them serving 5-4, love 40. We had a point to even the match. We needed one point and couldn’t convert so we lost 6-4. Also strange was a quarterfinal in the National 50 Grass against a player who never makes a bad call. Down and serving 2-6 in the third set breaker, he called a double fault on me on match point. White chalk flew up. I disputed the call. He asked his wife who was sitting on the side and she confirmed that the ball was good. I went on to win the breaker and then won the tournament.
Favorite Players To Watch: I love to watch Federer and Nadal. I loved watching Becker at Wimbledon. Connors and Mac at the US Open.
Toughest Competitors Encountered: My toughest competitors are Brian Cheney, Larry Turville and Jorge Camino of Spain. Although I never play him in competition I find Daniel Montes de Oca very tough.
People Qualities Most Admired: Forgiveness, compassion, acceptance, non judgment and detachment.
Tennis Accomplishments: 2005 Senior World Champion; #1 ITF ranking; 15 USTA national titles; Undefeated in USTA/Eastern tournaments from 1997-2010; Operates “Bob Litwin’s Mental Training” techniques and winning game strategies which teaches players to overcome the inner challenges of competition. Private consultations for juniors, adults, parents & coaches, can be arranged by contacting 516-849-6155.
Bob is also a consultant of Hedge Funds, coaching analysts and traders to be at their best, day in and day out.
You can read more Biofile like this one at www.thebiofile.com
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Malin · October 4, 2010 at 9:11 am
Very interesting biofile – thanks for this one. He seems like a genuinely nice guy.