The Importance of Being Ernests

There's a lot of things you can say about Ernests Gulbis: his tendency to break racquets, his all-out offensive style of play, his all-too-often comparison to Marat Safin, or his newly growing beard.  The list goes on.

But one thing stands out.  It was apparent in his match today in Cincinnati against Andy Murray, and it's been apparent in his play since he emerged on tour.  It's his ability to stay true to his own game, to his own mentality, to himself.  His ability to remain earnest to Ernests.

You see, Gulbis has never been afraid to portray his emotions on court.  Whether he's breaking his racquets, yelling at himself, or rejoicing in an incredible passing shot, Ernests is undoubtably extroverted on court.

Watching him, some may say he's unable to control his emotions.  Instead, I say, he's grown to allow himself to experience all the emotions a tennis match presents to a player, while also not allowing them to overtake him mentally.  This was apparent today, and his been increasingly discernible in Gulbis' game.

Yes, he breaks racquets.  Lots of them.  Yes, he has outbreaks on court.  Too many to count.  They present themselves, and just as quickly vanish.  Ernie no longer lets bad points get to his head.  A string of unforced errors no longer causes him to breakdown mentally.  A bad point, a bad game, no longer affect him like they did earlier in his career.  He quickly gets upset, but just as quickly reverts himself back to a neutral mental state.

Ernests understands that his offensive, aggressive style of play will bring in errors, but plenty of winners too.  He wouldn't have it any other way.  That's simply Ernie.  He wears his heart on his sleeve, but won't let it control him for long.

That's what so significant about Ernests Gulbis.  He stays true to himself and true to his aggressive game, even when he's not playing his best tennis.  Anything less and he wouldn't be "Earnests".