It's taken several days for me to face up to the weekend's events. I have been brooding, asking myself what went wrong? Could I have done anything different? and where does this leave my future plans?
OK, here we go.
My tennis coach Stuart arranged a surprise opponent for a match on Saturday evening, and I turned up at the National Tennis Centre with a keen sense of anticipation.
The match was not my best, I served too many double faults, and failed to take the break points when I created them. I lost the match 2-6 3-6. My opponent Alfie was just too good for me on the day.
As I'm sure many people will gleefully testify, this is not the first time I have lost at tennis.
However, it is the first time that I have been beaten by an 11 year-old.
In my defence, he is an exceptional 11-year-old. His technique is good, as is his shot selection, and his reading of the game is particularly astute for his age. The funny thing is, all the talk in most sports is focused on 2012 when he'll still be only 14, although if his progress this far is anything to go by, he'll certainly be there or thereabouts.
But this tale serves to highlight one of the great things about wheelchair tennis. Until you get to the very top level the sport acts as a great leveler, where strength or speed don't always win out. If you can put your opponent on the 'back foot' as it were, then you make them do all the work. I know this, because people often make me do all the work.
So, once again I left for home feeling crestfallen. Still, at least when I got there I could enjoy a glass of malt whisky, check my lottery ticket and stay up as late as I wanted...
OK, here we go.
My tennis coach Stuart arranged a surprise opponent for a match on Saturday evening, and I turned up at the National Tennis Centre with a keen sense of anticipation.
The match was not my best, I served too many double faults, and failed to take the break points when I created them. I lost the match 2-6 3-6. My opponent Alfie was just too good for me on the day.
As I'm sure many people will gleefully testify, this is not the first time I have lost at tennis.
However, it is the first time that I have been beaten by an 11 year-old.
In my defence, he is an exceptional 11-year-old. His technique is good, as is his shot selection, and his reading of the game is particularly astute for his age. The funny thing is, all the talk in most sports is focused on 2012 when he'll still be only 14, although if his progress this far is anything to go by, he'll certainly be there or thereabouts.
But this tale serves to highlight one of the great things about wheelchair tennis. Until you get to the very top level the sport acts as a great leveler, where strength or speed don't always win out. If you can put your opponent on the 'back foot' as it were, then you make them do all the work. I know this, because people often make me do all the work.
So, once again I left for home feeling crestfallen. Still, at least when I got there I could enjoy a glass of malt whisky, check my lottery ticket and stay up as late as I wanted...
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