--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was a very good tennis player in…" description: "\"I was a very good tennis player in Ottawa, Canada - nationally ranked when I was, like, 13. Then I moved to Los Angeles when I was 15, and everyone in ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b7/matthew-perry-5674_canada_i-was-a-very-good-tennis-player-in-ottaw_1150900.jpg" --- # I was a very good tennis player in Ottawa, Canada… ![“I was a very good tennis player in Ottawa, Canada - nationally ranked when I was, like, 13. Then I moved to Los Angeles when I was 15, and everyone in L.A. just killed me. I was pretty great in Canada. Not so much in Los Angeles.” quote by Matthew Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b7/matthew-perry-5674_canada_i-was-a-very-good-tennis-player-in-ottaw_1150900.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b7/matthew-perry-5674_canada_i-was-a-very-good-tennis-player-in-ottaw_1150900.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b7/matthew-perry-5674_canada_i-was-a-very-good-tennis-player-in-ottaw_1150900.jpg) > “I was a very good tennis player in Ottawa, Canada - nationally ranked when I was, like, 13. Then I moved to Los Angeles when I was 15, and everyone in L.A. just killed me. I was pretty great in Canada. Not so much in Los Angeles.” [Matthew Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-perry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on how moving to a new city disrupted his athletic success despite prior national ranking. **In simple terms:** A move changed his tennis performance. Key Takeaway Adapt to new environments quickly. Themes sports relocation identity competition adjustment Mood reflective determined realistic Type personal anecdote motivational When to use this quote - changing cities - sports training - mental resilience - seeking new opportunities Key Concepts self-efficacy environmental influence performance pressure Questions to Reflect On - How can you maintain confidence after a major change? - What strategies help you adapt to new competitive settings? A Different Perspective Success in one context doesn't guarantee success elsewhere. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Canada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canada/) [Los angeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/los-angeles/) [Ottawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ottawa/) [Tennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tennis/) [Tennis player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tennis-player/) ## Related quotes > [If you go to Canada or Los Angeles, you will get to see many South Asians there, but on screens, they are so less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhika-apte/if-you-go-to-canada-or-los-angeles-you-will-get-to-see-many-south/) [Radhika Apte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhika-apte/) > [I'd much rather people knew me as a good tennis player than as an aboriginal who happens to play good tennis. 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