People have been congratulating me on my upcoming book (thank you) but I don’t want you to think it’s going to be all high fives and gloss. It’s actually not going to be either of those or any of those – quite the opposite. So I thought I better share the preface with you now, so you have a hint of what’s to come.
The Preface to SMASHED
I’ve been advised to give readers a warm welcome and build their trust in this initial part of the book. I’m supposed to write about who it’s for and what impact it’s going to have on them and their lives. But expectations are silly things, and I really don’t like giving people advice, despite making a living from telling people what to do as a tennis coach. So, instead of starting by slanging out empty hope and promises, let me state a few things and tell you who I’m absolutely not interested in being. That ought to build some trust.
Vengeance, dissatisfaction and a lingering sense of injustice have compelled me to write a highly self-referential version of the gentleman’s game. Within the realms of elite sport, the content of this book is not uncommon, but will be considered wildly controversial regardless, and I must emphatically state I have no interest in entering public debates, offering the industry any solutions, or trying to change people’s minds about any of the matters. I see no value in trying to awake people who would like to remain asleep.
I do not wish to become a spokesperson, motivational speaker, or mental health advocate of any kind. I’m not a philanthropist or courageous activist, nor am I Mr Moral rectitude who thinks he is holier-than-thou. I don’t want to be branded into a particular type of self-image that doesn’t resemble my own flawed humanity, and I do not want to feel obligated to march in people’s pep rallies.
I implore you to filter what I’ve written through your own experiences, to glean from it what you will. Take what you like, leave the rest.
So yes, SMASHED is coming. Thank you for your support.
