Tennis update

I intended to make this blog about more than just Cubs updates, so here goes. I enjoy playing tennis and like to think I am somewhat competent at it. This summer I have been playing in a round-robin league of sorts against others of my skill level.



My level is "3.0" and I play against others at that level. Think of it as similar to a golf handicap. It's difficult to explain what a 2.5 or 3.0 or 4.0 player is, and the difference between him and a higher or lower-level player, but much like Justice Potter Stewart said about pornography, you know it when you see it.

Anyway, I played last night against a guy who plays at both the 3.0 and 3.5 levels. Players at the 3.5 level are mostly noticeably better than 3.0. They simply hit with more pace and consistency. Granted, my opponent on Wednesday was not what I'd call an elite 3.5 player, but as you'll see he was good enough to beat me.

My opponent on this evening was an affable Indian fellow who used an unusual grip to generate a confounding spin on the ball. He hit his backhand with two hands, seemingly cross-handed, an always with generous back and side spin. Though the first set was competitive, I failed to close out games in which I had set points, was broken twice and dropped the set 6-2.

I was very much disappointed with that result, and came out smoking in the second set, winning the first three games. I was up 4-1 when he started a comeback. One of the best parts of my game is my serve. I take pride in the big, flat first serve that I often hit for an ace. It was frustrating that my opponent on Wednesday seemed to handle my first (harder, bigger) serve much more easily than my second (kick) serve, often coming up with winners from tough angles. It was his return of serve that evened the second set at 5-all. I managed to hold for a 6-5 lead, and then broke him in a lengthy game to take the set 7-5. The winning point came on a smooth one-handed backhand I hit down the line -- on the run -- for a clean winner.

However, that was about the end of my highlights. I was down 2-1 in the third set when the heat and humidity started bogging me down. If I sat during changeovers my back started to tighten up. I was soaked with sweat and generally exhausted as the match approached three hours. There was nothing left in the tank. I refused to retire, but put up little fight in dropping the final four games. It has taken me a good 16 hours to get re-hydrated and feeling normal again. Clearly, I need to work on my fitness and stamina if I intend on playing competitive singles, because as it now stands, if I don't win in straight sets I'm probably not going to win in three. In this round-robin, I have played five matches. The two wins were easy walkovers over clearly inferior players. The three losses have all been in three sets.