Have you heard the one about the funny tennis player? You probably haven’t, by the nature of their work, they are notoriously serious people; but one man can vouch for them. Michael Kosta was once among the top-ranked tennis players in the world and now he’s a successful, Emmy-winning comedian. His journey is as unorthodox as it is fascinating, and he says that it’s tennis that made him funny, although he wasn’t laughing much at the time. Kosta made it up to number 864 in the ATP singles rankings, which certainly makes him one of the best tennis players in the world. “Just to give you some insight into how proud I am of that,” he told CNN Sports, “I’m 45 years old now, I’ve been a comedian for 22 years and number 864 is still my email signature to this day.” But as he explains in his new book “Lucky Loser,” there is nothing glamorous about the life of a tennis pro who is struggling to make it. He recalled a tournament in Mexico City where he had partnered with a college friend to split the cost of a hotel room: “The draw came out and we were playing each other. I went to bed that night and said good night to my opponent, who then beat me the next day. “He said, ‘Well, now that I’ve qualified, I get a free hotel room. Do you want to stay with me?’ So not only did I stay with the guy I was about to play, I then stayed with the guy who beat me. For some reason, I don’t feel like Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Nadal) are managing that.” Despite having won so many junior trophies that his family had to rent a storage unit to keep them, he found himself living on a shoestring budget to try and keep his dream alive. Kosta traveled all over the world to try and make it as a professional. But in the end, he ran out of money and self-belief, he’d barely made $11,000 on the ATP Tour and he knew it was time to try something else. “It’s very, very tough,” he surmised. “It sucks.” Kosta might not quite have realized it at the time, but the grind of being a wannabe tennis pro was preparing him for life as a comedian. “You lose a lot when you’re 864 in the world,” he told CNN. “I would lose on a Monday or Tuesday, that would give me five or six days until the next tournament. Instead of obsessing over my matches or the difficult life I had chosen, I would write down these ideas, jokes and interactions that I thought were funny. It was a good way to decompress from the stress of it all.” Not only that, he understood that the tennis circuit was an interminable slog through some questionable establishments in backwater towns, the comedy circuit for a beginner would be no different. “You’re alone, you’re problem solving,” he said of the similarities between the two professions. “Playing tennis, dealing with difficult situations, gets you ready for the real world. “I’ve done a bit, it’s going great, and then the waitress trips and drops all the glasswear, or you get heckled, or the microphone goes out. I felt comfortable handling those situations because of tennis.” Is there any other sport where the loser has to give a speech? Tennis players learn to be good communicators. Kosta felt as though he had an advantage over many of the fledgling comedians he encountered at the start, he’d been coached to tuck his shirt in, shake hands with strength, look people in the eye and project confidence. He noted in Lucky Loser that the people telling jokes for a living were often the complete opposite. “Comedians are dressed very poorly, many are noticeably drunk, half are not speaking clearly or are mumbling, they aren’t making eye contact with the audience,” he wrote in the book. When he exchanged tennis sets for sets on stage, he brought an athlete’s mentality to his craft. “I remember these older comics would say, ‘Man, it seems like when you have a bad set, you just keep going, it seems like it doesn’t bother you.’ And I go, ‘Oh, I didn’t know I was supposed to sit around and be sad about it, I just thought it was time to go practice!’ “The whole reason I’ve been able to climb up the comedy ladder is because I experienced loss and disappointment over and over again as a tennis player.” That’s not to say that he ever enjoyed failing in either profession, but he discovered that a bad night on stage was much worse than a defeat on the court. “Physically, emotionally,” he explained, “to be a professional tennis player is harder than being a professional comedian. But to bomb a joke, the rejection is personal. When I lose, maybe my opponent played well, maybe I was injured. But to bomb a joke that came from your soul, when a group of people say, ‘Absolutely not,’ that hurts way more than losing 6-0, 6-0.” So, are tennis players funny? Kosta thinks some are, but they just can’t show it. He recalls the impersonations that Novak Djokovic used to do at the start of his career, which he stopped because it was only fueling his opponents. “I believe Iga Świątek is actually pretty funny, but when you’re No. 1 in the world, everyone’s trying to bring you down, she’s reluctant to share it,” he said. “Coco Gauff is remarkably light-hearted and goofy for someone who plays at such a high level, and I appreciate that so much.”
What’s so funny about tennis? Daily Show’s Michael Kosta says it could prepare you for a life in comedy
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Michael Kosta Discusses How His Tennis Career Influenced His Comedy Success"
CNN
7.5
TruthLens AI Summary
Michael Kosta, a former professional tennis player who reached a ranking of 864 in the ATP singles, has transitioned into a successful career as an Emmy-winning comedian. In his new book, "Lucky Loser," Kosta reflects on his experiences as a struggling tennis pro and how they inadvertently prepared him for the world of comedy. Although he faced financial hardships and a lack of self-belief during his time on the professional circuit, Kosta found humor in the challenges he encountered. He recalls a particularly memorable tournament in Mexico City where he ended up sharing a hotel room with his opponent after losing to him. Despite his struggles, Kosta's journey through the tennis world taught him valuable lessons in resilience and creativity, which he later applied to his comedy career. He used the downtime between matches to jot down jokes and observations, allowing him to decompress and channel his experiences into humor.
Kosta draws parallels between the worlds of tennis and comedy, noting that both require a unique set of skills and an ability to navigate difficult situations. He emphasizes that the tennis circuit instilled in him a strong work ethic and the ability to handle unexpected challenges, such as hecklers or technical issues during performances. Unlike many comedians who may struggle with basic communication skills, Kosta's background in tennis equipped him with confidence and poise. He believes that the emotional toll of performing comedy, particularly when a joke fails, can be more intense than losing a tennis match. Through his experiences, Kosta argues that while some tennis players may possess a sense of humor, the pressure of their sport often prevents them from expressing it. He admires athletes like Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff for their light-heartedness, acknowledging that the competitive nature of tennis can stifle their comedic sides. Ultimately, Kosta's journey illustrates how the discipline of sports can enhance artistic expression and resilience in the face of adversity.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents an intriguing intersection between sports and comedy through the journey of Michael Kosta, a former tennis player turned comedian. It highlights how the challenges he faced in tennis contributed to his comedic development, ultimately delivering a narrative of resilience and adaptability.
Underlying Purpose of the Article
The piece aims to explore the less glamorous side of being a professional athlete, particularly in tennis, while also illustrating how those experiences can translate into other fields such as comedy. By doing so, it seeks to provide a relatable perspective to audiences who may not be familiar with the struggles of lesser-known athletes. This focus on Kosta's unique life story serves to inspire and engage readers, showing that success can come in various forms.
Perception Creation
The article cultivates a perception that success is not solely defined by accolades but also by the journey and the lessons learned along the way. Kosta's experiences in tennis, filled with financial constraints and personal challenges, are framed as foundational to his eventual success in comedy. This narrative can resonate with individuals who have faced setbacks in their own lives, promoting a message of perseverance.
Potential Omissions
While the article emphasizes Kosta's humorous take on his past, it may downplay the broader systemic issues within professional sports, such as financial instability for many athletes. By focusing on Kosta's personal anecdotes, it might inadvertently obscure the larger context of the challenges faced by numerous aspiring professionals in tennis and other sports.
Manipulative Elements
The language used in the article is light-hearted and humorous, which may lead readers to overlook the serious undertones of Kosta's struggles. This could be seen as a form of manipulation, as it frames a difficult life experience in a comedic light, potentially diverting attention from the harsh realities many face in pursuit of their dreams.
Comparison with Other News
In comparison to other articles that highlight the struggles of athletes, this piece stands out by linking sports to the entertainment industry through comedy. The connection made between the two fields is unique and not commonly explored, potentially attracting a diverse readership.
Impact on Society and Economy
While the article itself may not have immediate implications for the economy or politics, it could encourage discussions about the mental health challenges faced by athletes and the importance of support systems in sports. Additionally, it could inspire individuals to pursue alternative career paths, thereby affecting educational and professional choices.
Target Audience
The content appears to resonate more with audiences that appreciate humor and storytelling, particularly those who enjoy personal narratives of resilience. It may particularly appeal to younger demographics who are navigating their own career uncertainties.
Market Influence
As this article is centered on an individual’s story rather than economic data or market trends, it holds minimal direct relevance to stock markets or economic forecasts. However, it could indirectly influence sectors related to sports entertainment and comedy.
Geopolitical Relevance
The article does not directly address global power dynamics or current events, but it reflects broader themes of personal struggle and triumph, which are universally relatable. It connects to the ongoing discourse about mental health and career transitions in various fields.
AI Involvement in Writing
The writing style appears to be influenced by a narrative-driven approach common in human journalism. However, it is possible that AI models were used to structure the article or generate initial drafts, particularly in organizing Kosta's anecdotes and framing them in an engaging manner.
Conclusion on Reliability
This article presents a reliable account of Michael Kosta's experiences, supported by his personal reflections and anecdotes. However, the light-hearted approach may gloss over some of the harsher realities of professional sports. Overall, it provides a meaningful exploration of how the challenges of one profession can inform success in another.