Professional Amateur
"The Professional Amateur is someone obsessed with the sport; someone who trains like they’re going pro while playing at a highly mediocre level. We are nowhere near the elite, yet we’ve left the beginners far behind. We are simply dangerously average, fueled by bags of enthusiasm. Our swings exist somewhere between pure genius and absolute disaster—often within the same rally.
But no matter how chaotic it gets, we keep playing. Because somewhere in that mess, there is a lot of joy. And maybe—if we just keep swinging—the racquet will finally do its job."
— Grant McMurtrie
Grant McMurtrie
We linked up with our Scottish “Professional Amateur” friend, Grant McMurtrie. He first grabbed our attention on our Instagram feed with his iconic video defining the life of a professional amateur. It resonated with us immediately, as we believe every hobby or amateur athlete can relate—whether you are a golfer, runner, cyclist, or tennis player. We also felt it connected to Nibbi, where the main focus is to enjoy the process rather than striving for results, especially when playing at our level – the amateur level.
The Scottish Highlands
On our drive from Aboyne to the Braemar tennis court, we face all four seasons within minutes: sun, snow, wind, and the inevitable North Sea rain. The balls are flying and we are shanking as we try our best to keep the rally going, yet we are still making highlight reels. And that’s the perk of the lifestyle. It’s a constant highlight reel. The clean winners are attributed to the “Professional” side, while the frame-hits belong to the “Amateur.” In the Professional Amateur world, both should be equally appreciated.
To the uninitiated, a “Professional Amateur” sounds like a contradiction, but it’s explained well—it’s the quiet discipline of someone who trains like they are trying to go pro, all while playing at a highly mediocre level. It’s shanks and winners side-by-side—one day you feel like a pro; the next, you’re struggling to even find the strings. I have to remind myself: I’m not going to be a professional, so why am I being so hard on myself? I should just relax and remember to enjoy it a bit more.