Winning at National Public Parks

Posted by T. A. Niles Jul 29, 2007

First Step Taken

Okay, one step at a time. We managed to get past our first opponent, and guess what? A very sweet forehand down-the-line put an end to a match that wasn’t as tough as expected. Both forehands found their way repeatedly to inches inside the sidelines on passing shots that were better than I have hit in years.

Getting in Shape a Key

The bike riding and 12-to-14-pound weight loss might just be helping, because I did some side to side running in the afternoon heat and didn’t wilt. I faltered while serving for it at 5-1, but closed out the match with a break at love. It was good to play well in a match that counted for a change. Hopefully we can do it again in the a.m.

Old Friends Add to Flavor

But more important than that was running into people I haven’t seen since the early 90s. Joel Palmer, an old tennis pal from Moore Park in Miami fell to the No.3 seed in the Men’s 45s, but stuck around and helped me warm up about 45 minutes before my match as I suggested one ought to do in one instructional piece. That played a major role in raising my comfort level prior to my match! I owe ya Joel.

Gladstone Woolcock, also of Moore Park, whom I hadn’t seen in about 15 years, is playing in the Men’s 60s and he has aged not a day. It was remarkable looking into the face of the same player I knew a decade and a half ago. And, he upset the No.2 seed to make it to the semis.

New Friends Made

I even had the pleasure of meeting Charlayne Thompkins of Hialeah, FL. I’d heard about her from Bobby Curtis, who is nothing short of “Mr. Junior Tennis” in Florida, but hadn’t met the woman who brought the Moore Park contingent to Bobby’s Fundraising Dinner, the 17th Annual presented by the Greater Miami Tennis and Education Foundation's (GMTEF).

Finally Some Good Ball

It has taken several months into my "comeback" for MJ (my other half) to see me play a solid match, and I'm glad she had the experience today. But I had help. My old tennis friends John Payne, and my old (and only) coach Phil Gordon back in Hartford, CT were rooting me on. New tennis friends Chuck and Andrea Nelson, Dave Cook, and Marius Espeleta in Fort Myers, and George Frieje in Michigan all provided a boost that helped me play some decent ball for a change. And if Oliver Stenger, Director of Tennis at Park Meadow Tennis Club in Fort Myers wasn’t as generous as he is, I still might not be able to hit a forehand.

Tennis Keeps on Giving

Whether I win another match or not won’t determine the experience I’ve already had at the National Public Parks Championships. For me tennis remains a game that gives so much more than an ego boosts for matches won. It has provided me with a wealth of experiences, a treasure trove of relationships. It truly is a game for and of life!