Tennis season begins

It felt so good to be on the tennis court today. I attended a meetup at the Southampton Tennis Club and played on clay courts for the first time. Not only did I have to shake off the rust of not playing all winter, I had to readjust from racquetball. I'm still playing that too, so maybe the transition back and forth will be easier after doing more often. The clay surface was definitely different; unfortunately, I didn't get comfortable with it to the point where I could slide much.

I met some nice people, but I don't expect to see them again until another meetup as none live near me. But, you never know.

US Open: Afterword

A train… another train… a friend… a subway… another subway.

The morning sun was shining and the temperature was comfortably warm. I walked along a tree-lined path to the line where I was to meet a friend who was a long-time US Open veteran. I found myself wondering things about the other people in line, some of which I could deduce from observation… was this their first time visiting the Open? Did they come from far away? Were they there with friends or family? Who were they there to see?

It was strange not having any idea what to expect, but since I would have the benefit of a friend’s experience, I was able to enjoy that feeling. Three of us met up, and when the gates opened, we ran (or jogged, depending on who you ask) to the grandstand.

Then I was there. At a tennis court at the US Open. It took a little time for me to realize where I was, after processing the unfamiliarity and anticipation of what would be my deepest immersion into tennis, to date. Eventually, the realization set in, but part of me was still amazed that I was there. Fortunately, there was time before the first match and we were there early enough to get good seats.

So began my US Open experience.

I’m not able to adequately describe my experience over the two days I was there. It was fun, exciting, and I was amazed by many things. I learned things I can use the next time I go, and as well as things I was able to use on the court. Saying that being there in-person adds an entire dimension feels like an understatement.

Needless to say, by the end, I decided that I definitely want to go back.

For reference, here is a list of the matches that I watched partially or entirely (13 total):

Thursday (day 4)

• Men's Singles - 2nd Rnd. - Andy Murray (GBR)[19] def Jonas Bjorkman (SWE) 5-7 6-3 6-1 4-6 6-1
• Women's Singles - 2nd Rnd. - Patty Schnyder (SUI)[11] def Severine Bremond (FRA) 6-3 6-0
• Women's Singles - 2nd Rnd. - Victoria Azarenka (BLR) def Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 6-2 6-2
• Women's Singles - 2nd Rnd. - Maria Kirilenko (RUS) def Katarina Srebotnik (SLO)[22] 6-4 6-3
• Men's Singles - 2nd Rnd. - Sebastien Grosjean (FRA) def Max Mirnyi (BLR) 6-4 6-7(6) 6-4 6-3
• Men's Singles - 2nd Rnd. - Tommy Haas (GER)[10] def Philipp Petzschner (GER) 4-6 6-3 6-2 7-5
• Mixed Doubles - 1st Rnd. - Victoria Azarenka (BLR)/Max Mirnyi (BLR) def Lisa Raymond (USA)[1]/Nenad Zimonjic (SRB)[1] 6-7(6) 6-3 [10-3]

Friday (day 5)

• Women's Singles - 3rd Rnd. - Dinara Safina (RUS)[15] def Ahsha Rolle (USA) 6-4 6-3
• Men's Singles - 2nd Rnd. - Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) def Marat Safin (RUS)[25] 6-3 6-3 6-3
• Men's Singles - 2nd Rnd. - Robby Ginepri (USA) def Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 6-2 6-3 6-1*
• Women's Singles - 3rd Rnd. - Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[3] def Alize Cornet (FRA) 4-6 6-2 6-3
• Men's Doubles - 2nd Rnd. - Lukas Dlouhy (CZE)[9]/Pavel Vizner (CZE)[9] def Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS)/Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 6-4 7-6(5)
• Men's Singles - 2nd Rnd.
  Agustin Calleri (ARG) def Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)[16] 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-2

* Pictured ball came from this match. (more US Open pics)

US Open: Prologue

I'm about to embark on an adventure which I suspect will be made more enjoyable by the work I've been doing: two days at the tennis US Open, my first time watching live, professional tennis.

I have no expectations. I've had a non-attached perspective to this trip, which was made evident when other people started telling/asking me about how excited I am about it. I hadn't really been thinking about it that much, which has allowed me to avoid the unpleasant limbo of not being in the present because I'm focused on what is to come, and enjoy a more even-keel mood. Since I don't really have an expectation, I expect that I will "go with the flow."

I am confident. Three words: New York subway. (First time on my own.)

I am self-reliant. This entire trip is my decision. Not to downplay the support I've received from friends, it would be entirely different without it. But nonetheless, I saw an opportunity to do something I wanted to do and I'm doing it. It's not a big deal, but I need to recognize that my decision to do this was completely independent from anyone else. No one asked me to go; I'm not going for anyone but myself. AND, I need to recognize that this is separate from how the trip actually turns out. There was a time that, if I took a trip like this and didn't enjoy myself, I would blame that outcome on the fact that I did it independently from others, and therefore shouldn't do it again.

I will enjoy the moment. A break from my "self-work," to be, and do.

I am doing this for me. I play tennis because it's fun. Not because I have a specific goal or feel any obligation. I enjoy watching tennis, but of course, it's not quite as fun as playing. ;) There was a time when I thought, "oh, I shouldn't go to a tennis tournament because I don't belong there. I don't know enough history of the sport, I don't know many of the players, and I'm not a good enough player, myself." But then I realized, I go to football games. I don't play football, and I don't even enjoy watching it all that much. My (il)logic broke down pretty quickly at that point.

As I may have eluded to before, tennis is the first sport I've enjoyed. Having only started a year ago, I may have "found my sport" later than most people. So what? From my perspective, tennis is my sport. Just because I don't have a long history with it doesn't mean I should downplay my enthusiasm or suppress any sense of belonging. However, it also doesn't necessarily mean that there is some connection to all other tennis fans. Which I state only to exemplify another generalization that's bad to make, not to point out a false motivating factor.

Delicious Defeat

Being new to a sport I care about, nothing could have prepared me for the unexpected outcome of a competition. Experience is everything.

I was challenged to play a set of tennis, and lost 6-1. Although I would have liked to win, it wasn't a big deal for me because I didn't really have anything to lose. But the effect of losing so badly was one of the most emotionally confounding I've ever experienced. In fact, two days later, I'm still not sure how it's going to affect my outlook.

Is it time to set a goal? This can motivate my continued improvement, which will provide more enjoyment the better I play.

Should I just give up? I'm well past my prime, and there will be a limit to how well I can play. If it's not good enough, there's no reason to continue.

Or should I just linger somewhere in between, hitting a ball around with the couple of people who would do so? As with all things, this arrangement will come to an end, so I should enjoy it while I can.

I guess time will tell because the answer will only come after taking things day-by-day. I'll just go with the flow and play if I want, when I can. Now that I've had a small taste of the bad stuff, I'm more experienced than I was, for whatever that's worth.

I bought tennis shoes

A friend’s enthusiasm, a coincidence, and whim serendipitously merged into a moment that would bring happiness that I couldn’t have suspected. Having swatted at a fuzzy ball only a few times in my life, I lacked the basic knowledge of the game of tennis, therefore any real interest. Just recently, someone defined tennis as a game where two people hit a ball back and forth until someone misses, and although I cannot accept that as even the most basic explanation, there was I time when I could. Ironically, the person who said this enjoys watching Nascar, which is just a game where people drive in a circle until they crash into a wall. ;)

I started playing last summer (from not being able to keep the ball in the court), and I began tennis lessons this week, so it appears I’m committed on some level to improve my game. Perhaps it’s just my “interest of the week” considering how quickly I bounce from one thing to another, but I’m not going to let that stop me from enjoying it as if it’s something I’ll stick with for a long time. Next post: I'm a scuba diver!

Best Birthday Ever

Last Wednesday was a beautiful, sunny 72 degree day. This was the first year that daylight savings time changed earlier, so the day also offered more sunlight after work than those the week prior. It was the 34th anniversary of my birth.

Tom and I played tennis, I with my new tennis racquet he surprised me with on Tuesday.

We went out to dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant, and I was surprised by four of my friends who were waiting for us. My friends are awesome. They even pitched in and bought me a new Trek 7200 hybrid bicycle! I just picked it up last night after getting it fitted and "souped up" with things like a computer to track speed, distance, etc.

We took the bikes out for a ride today. Then we played tennis. And it was wonderful.