31 - Sunday, May 20, 1990 - North Shore News

Grant Connell’s sports

psychologist to

THE SPORTS psychologist who has helped North Van-
couver tennis ace Grant Connell improve his game will be
the featured speaker Wednesday at a YMCA seminar in

West Vancouver.

According to Connell, Dr.
David Cox has helped him cope
with the mental pressures of the
international tennis circuit.

Connell, long typecast as a dou-
bles expert with (ennis partner
Glenn Michibata, is now coming
into his own in singles play.

According to the latest ATP
(Association of Tennis Profes-
sionals) ranking, Connell has
climbed to 75th in the world for
singles — his highest career rank-
ing yet — and 30th in doubles with
Michibata.

But Connell, 24, doesn’t plan on
stopping there.

“In singles, it is the highest
ranking so far, but | think I am
capable of going much higher. I
have beaten a lot of people who
are ranked 15 or 20 in the world,”’
Connell said in a recent interview
with Shyam Hira at his alma
mater, the North Shore Winter
Club.

“It’s just trying to get consistent
results every week,”’ he said.

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Numbered among his recent
on-court victims have been such
high-profile players as Miloslav
Mecir, Amos Mandorf and Andres
Gomez. He also took Ivan Lendl
to three sets last summer before
fatigue got the better of him.

Connell credits his success to
current coach Louis Cayer, and
Cox, who helps him with the men-
tal side of his game.

“David Cox and I have worked
a lot on imaginary and relaxation
exercises and just take time for
every match,’’ Connell said.

Busy on the professional circuit,
Connell will be playing in the
French Open next week before
travelling to England for
Wimbledon. Then it’s on to the
U.S. Open before the Davis Cup
tournament in Canada this
September.

A word of advice for juniors?
Just keep hitting the ball, Connell
says.

“f think I would advise them to
play in lots of tournaments. When

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& COKE

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speak

1 was a junior, | used to play in
lots of tournaments including the
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On Wednesday, May 23, Cox
will be speaking on the Head
Game at the West Vancouver
YMCA, 1735 Inglewood Ave. The
seminar is yeared to help athletes
in the mental preparation for
sports.

Tickets cost $12 and can be
reserved by calling 926-5541.

Grant Connell’s
psychologist will

players.

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LOCAL TENNIS ace
Sports
be
speaking on the North
Shore. In this story, Con-
nel] talks about his rise in
the world of sports and
gives advice to aspiring

NEWS photo Cindy Goodman

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