It’s been a strange few days, so much tennis related stuff happening in such a short time. It all started on Friday, coming into the weekend. A weekend that thankfully delivered some warmer weather.
As with so much these days the news arrived electronically. E-mail this time. I had been looking forwards to getting out of Cornwall and playing some age group tennis in Bideford at the Atlantic Rackets Centre Summer Open. Unfortunately the referee had been taken ill and therefore the adult events have had to be cancelled. I sent a note to the organiser thanking them for accepting my late entry the previous week and wished the referee a speedy recovery. First hole in my weekend itinerary.
Meanwhile I had turned down an offer to play league doubles, staying true to my intention to focus on singles this year.
Saturday Aegon League. Truro B away at Penzance A. The score was 12-0 in favour of Penzance. Format 4 singles and 2 doubles.
I was handed a tennis masterclass by Claudio. 0-6, 2-6. I did’n’t really perform, everything was average and I suppose it is that old maxim that average is the best you can expect on any one day. The main shortfall was in my forehand and serve.
Knowing that Caudio is of similar age I knew this would be a good test. Anyway Claudio, similar age, is an artist with the racket, he had my number probably from the second game and probably from the first point.
Sometimes the memory can get hazy, but I think the first game was close, I might even have had a point to hold serve. Thereafter Claudio swept through the first set, only once seeming hurried when I connected with a forehand like I would have hoped to do more often.
First set 6-0 to Claudio. I had no doubt I contributed to the situation with my usual generous array of errors. Converting what I am doing on the practice court seems so far away from what I am doing on the match court. In contrast Claudio was certain and smooth on every stroke.
When I play it back in my mind I can see those shortened strokes and chopped backhands I have been trying to smooth out. Not today. Maybe the different surface, astro turf with its low bounce contributed. If you asked me I would say I like the surface, not that much different to the faster low bouncing acrylic courts. No excuses to be found there.
Second set. An awareness that I have to get rid of the errors. First game to me. A foothold.
Whenever I am watching a match and I see a one sided set marked by the red marker on the scoreboard and then the start of the second set marked on the opposite side by a yellow marker, it is a moment of anticipation. Maybe something will be different in this second set.
On this occasion not really. Claudio remained imperious to my challenge and swept along to 5-1. I was trying my best. While the scoreboard was pointing the wrong way, I was trying to stay in the match. I was pleased with my speed of movement reaching some shots that formerly would have been out of range, though less pleased with some of the shots that preceded the need to move and stretch so much. Mentally I was still in the match staying positive trying to play decent tennis in the face of being outplayed and outthought.
One thing to change. After any shot move for the next shot. My shortfall in this was made obvious as I played an approach to the backhand side. I then moved hopefully toward the net continuing to occupy the middle of the court. I know that the percentage shot is down the line and before I could respond from my initial hesitancy the ball was indeed passing me down the line.
I do wonder when losing so heavily that it might be natural to lose a bit of belief, a bit of uncertainty, translating to slowness of movement? I think this is probably the case.
Anyway back to the match. I manage a hold for 2-5. Don’t remember anything more about it than that, maybe it included a lucky net cord in my favour? Not sure.
Mentally I was pleased with how I performed. It’s not always externally visible I don’t think. I was believing and competing until the last shot, well nearly anyway. A forehand dumped in the net and a floated backhand out the back is hardly the type of challenge to worry anyone serving for the match.
Claudio duly served out the match 6-2, finishing with a flourish. A well placed first serve and excellent angled forehand volley away to my backhand side. No chance of reaching that. And wasting no energy whatsoever having played the winning volley, Claudio was already at the net in a position ready to shake hands. Masterclass completed and a really nice guy to boot.
So much to absorb from this match to take forwards, things I need to improve for sure as well as things to notice in Claudio’s game. He was never rushed, always in position and even if not in exactly the right position had full control of racket and ball to still make the best shot possible.
It is always disappointing to lose. I don’t think you ever want to lose that. The ability to place this match in the context of what I am trying to achieve, is helping me look at it objectively and use it for the next bit of improvement. I think this is helpful, in the past I might have just seen this as a bad loss and skulked off to lick my wounds.
Bizarely after this match I find myself more keen to get back on court than ever. It feels as though the enthusiasm has gone up a notch.
Meanwhile another e-mail has arrived. This time from the MIlford-on- Sea tournament over 55s. The draw is full with higher ranked players and I am on the reserve list. Do I want to withdraw or wait and see if anyone drops out. I decide on the latter. Another gap in the calendar in about 10 days time, seems likely.
A text follows. Monday practice is cancelled as no one can make it with it being a bank holiday.
Ah well there is plenty to do in the garden, now the weather has warmed up!
