Confidence Playing in Big Tournaments - an example

I'm always a tad jealous when I see players who are excited about playing in upcoming tournaments that I know I would be super anxious and nervous to play in.  

I believe (still) this stems from the "test anxiety" issues I've had all my life. I have freaked out due to nerves before many big exams in college and also for job interviews. And so I have talked a lot about how I had jitters before almost every big tournament. I honestly feel I would have won BCAPL and ACS State tournaments much sooner in my pool journey if I didn't have "test anxiety" or "title tournament jitters."  I would just get psyched out before even making the drive to the events, lol.

So, when I read on Facebook a friend of mine, Tyler, was excited to play in the US Open 9-Ball Championship this year, I was like, "look at him - how cool is that that he's excited."  

If you haven't heard, the US Open 9-Ball Championship is no longer held on the East Coast in Virginia Beach in October.  It is now headed by Matchroom Sport and it moved to Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas this April.  Here is what their website says about the tournament:

The US Open 9-Ball Championship comes to Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas as America’s most prestigious billiards tournament is relaunched by Matchroom Multi Sport with a record-breaking prize fund.

One of the biggest titles in world 9-ball, the US Open sees the best players on the planet battle it out over three breathless days to reach to the final 16, after which all matches are sudden death knockout played under the TV lights in front of an international audience.

The US Open roll of honor is a who’s-who of billiard legends and is now under the banner of Hall of Fame promoter Barry Hearn, whose Matchroom Multi Sport company are renowned in billiards for the Mosconi Cup, World Pool Masters and World Cup of Pool.

Tyler won a Qualifier in February to the US Open. Here is that flyer and a photo of him from the tournament that I stole from Facebook for this blog post, lol:

I congratulated him on the win of the qualifier and he replied, "Thank you! Going to be neat to go to that event! I'm excited."

I thought to myself: Excited? Dude, you are playing top pros of the world! Aren't you scared and nervous? "Excited" is not the word I would use. "Petrified" or "Crazy" maybe. hahaha.

See, there's the difference - I would be nervous, apprehensive, and be shaking already and yet he's freaking excited. 

However, I admit I am thrilled and get impressed by that mentality and really love to see that type of positive, confident attitude, because it's so opposite of mine.

But, it got worse! Someone shared on his Facebook page this article about the "Unprecedented field for US Open 9-Ball," stating, "Upcoming US Open 9-Ball field is hands down the strongest field we've seen."

And of course Tyler exclaims, "Going to be an awesome event! Stoked to be able to play against the best players in the world!"

If only I had a smidgeon of his confidence and excitement to play in tough events...

Go get 'em, Tyler!