
From Code to Court
- Xander Chu
- Thoughts
- December 6, 2023
The past weekend was a true blessing. I had the privilege of attending a community tennis coaching course on the Gold Coast and met some amazing ladies with super doper gal pal energy.
Upon settling into my seat and Coach Emily Burns’ introduction to the course, something magical occurred. I instantly felt relaxed and at ease, realizing I was in a safe, welcoming, and friendly space. Over the next two days, I forged friendships with remarkable women who I would never have encountered in my daily routine. Learning in an environment where everyone contributed collaboratively without the need for prompting was refreshing. It was a level of happiness I hadn’t experienced in quite some time.
There’s something magical and metaphysical when a group of ladies from different cultural background and different walks of life coming together supporting each other when their paths crossed. It was such a healing experience for me after I have been in the highly competitive throat-cutting tech industry for years. I was so very touched by the celebration of womenhood, connectedness and gal-palwer.
Together, these ladies have shown me that we bring out each other’s best in a positive reinforcing, encouraging and supportive environment. And that’s exactly how we would want to train and develop tennis players:
Motivation Over Fear: Choosing inspiration and passion as driving forces, rather than instilling fear.
Encouragement Over Punishment: Fostering growth through positive reinforcement and support rather than punitive measures.
Flexibility Over Rigidity: Embracing adaptability and openness, recognizing the importance of flexibility over strict rigidity.
Long-term Goal Over Short-term Gain: Prioritizing enduring success and development over immediate, short-lived victories.
The memories of those two days will forever hold a special place in my heart. Thank you all for showing me the environment where one can just flourish and be.


