Aug 24, 2008

Niles Spurns Opportunity

Written Saturday, 8/23/08

I believe the saying is, “There’s no wrath like the wrath of a woman scorned.” If there’s anything to that saying, then I’m sure that Opportunity is a woman. I foolishly rejected Opportunity today and suffered the sting of her wrath. The bottom line is that when Opportunity comes knocking you had better answer, or she’ll go next door.

In my match today, I broke serve in the third game of the first set, then promptly lost my serve, committing the unpardonable double-fault sin en route. Opportunity was on her way down the driveway, but she hadn’t yet knocked next door.

Serving at 4-5 in the first set, I held off multiple set points and earned a game point. I played the point well…until the easy forehand volley that I plunked pathetically into the net. “Absolutely no excuse,” frowned Opportunity, and knocked on my neighbor’s door. He answered the knock.

Once my opponent, Al Hernandez, realized that I had no intention of embracing Opportunity when she knocked, he relaxed and courted her at every opportunity. Apparently my first serve and Opportunity are related, because it, too, abandoned me in the second set. I held serve just once in three attempts, as Al jumped all over my ineffective second serve.

Other than the disappointment of failing to display the mental toughness required to win tennis matches, my intro to grass court tennis was a pleasant one. The Philadelphia Cricket Club is a lovely facility, the weather was spectacular, and I‘m spending time with M. J., as well as nieces and nephews whom I haven’t seen in years. It ain’t all bad and I hope to perform better tomorrow. Until then, game, set, match…