I was curious about a particular match I had played in the summer. I couldn't remember the scores, so I searched my record on the USTA website. As I was scrolling through numerous listings, I became curious; how many matches had I played?
Next Sunday will mark my last match of the year. It will be my 85th match of 2010.
All I can say is, wow.
This does not even include the matches I played for the suburban league, which is not recorded on the USTA site or all the ITA-sanctioned matches I played, matches where I endured swift beatdowns by college players in order to better prepare myself for the USTA summer season and the 30s tournaments.
85 matches.
My tournament year ended with the National 30s Clay Court Tournament in Fort Lauderdale, Florida the week after Thanksgiving. What a way to burn off some of that turkey, huh?
I had gone back and forth about going for a few months. Following my hectic August, I felt I needed a break. I wasn't exactly burnt out, but I could see myself going that way if I didn't do something to downshift. So, I didn't commit to any fall tennis; agreeing only to "sub" if I felt like it on a couple of teams. I threw myself into my ice hockey season and allowed myself to enjoy my teammates and practices and the fun of being in a locker room with a crazy group of women!
Slowly, I began to attend tennis clinics now and then, dropping in when time permitted and oftentimes when I just had no desire to actually go to the gym and work out.
The decision to go to the National Clay followed the death of my Uncle Johnnie. I didn't see him as much as I wanted to over the last year. Working and worrying about stupid things had preoccupied my time and I told myself with everything I've been neglecting, I will just do it later, do it tomorrow and do it next year.
Still, now, I don't know if there is a balance. I don't know if its possible to sacrifice time and enjoy the present, but I am definitely going to start trying.
At any cost, Florida was my best trip ever!
I was most concerned about playing an outdoor tournament when I have been in wonderfully cold Michigan where the last time I was outdoors playing was in October, which of course was the last time I was able to play on clay. I arrived two days before my first match and spent both days acclimating myself to the outdoors and the clay. I am proudest of how I dealt with the adjustment. It was almost seamless.
I was determined to go to Florida and work hard, but also enjoy it. And I can honestly say, I enjoyed the pre-tournament court time. I enjoyed watching the guys compete and other women in the draw. I met some cool people. I got a glimpse of my "class" of tennis players. Most of the women in the draw have been around 38 years of age. But this time, I got to see the future of the 30s, women like myself, on the younger side of 30s group, some of them playing their first or second 30s tournament. We talked and exchanged information and looked forward to seeing each other at the next tournament.
I am excited.
I got bumped out of the main draw of singles early and played poorly in the back draw despite a couple of wins. I also got bumped into the back draw of doubles with my partner, Chris from CA, another 30s newbie. But we made it to the consolation final where we won 6-0, 6-2. I also played the best tennis of the tournament there. Pretty good for someone whose favorite quote is "Oh, I suck at doubles."
I received a lot of compliments from pretty established players including a lady who is a teaching pro in Juniper, Florida. Chris and I played her in the second round of doubles and she told me she was amazed by my consistent second serve aces! Big props from a lady who was awesome in the doubles draw!
The clay nationals also marked the first time I'd been away from Mark for a whole week. (I'm a baby, I know.) But I missed him so much!
I came back fully expecting to be exhausted from the week, exhausted from the travel, exhausted from 85 tennis matches in 2010!
But here I am, eager to work harder, eager to hit the gym and looking forward to the first match of 2011. Here I am, number 8 in the nation in women's 30s singles, partial sponsorship from Adidas, Wilson Racquet ambassador. Pretty amazing for someone who just picked up a racquet 10 years ago and tried out for her college team.
85 matches.
Stay tuned,
KS
