Yes, people.
It's that time of year when I drag myself screaming (but not kicking) to the National Wheelchair Tennis Championships in Gloucester, just so my serve can fall apart, I can buckle under the pressure of playing in public, and come home full of frustration and remorse at losing to people I know I should have beaten. And all for fun.
That's the trouble with tennis. At some point in the first few goes, you hit the ball well. By accident, it may be, but it doesn't stop the brain from setting that as the benchmark by whihc all future shots must be judged.
At least when I played football, it was a fluid situation, where I could run around lots and show willing, even if I was having a bad game. And I could always hurl myself enthusiastically into a tackle to win the respect of my team-mates.
But in tennis, you're all alone. In fact, it's worse than that. You have yourself for company, and that's often the most difficult person to win over.
At least it's a different kind of pain, for a change. And it's all for fun. Wish me luck.
It's that time of year when I drag myself screaming (but not kicking) to the National Wheelchair Tennis Championships in Gloucester, just so my serve can fall apart, I can buckle under the pressure of playing in public, and come home full of frustration and remorse at losing to people I know I should have beaten. And all for fun.
That's the trouble with tennis. At some point in the first few goes, you hit the ball well. By accident, it may be, but it doesn't stop the brain from setting that as the benchmark by whihc all future shots must be judged.
At least when I played football, it was a fluid situation, where I could run around lots and show willing, even if I was having a bad game. And I could always hurl myself enthusiastically into a tackle to win the respect of my team-mates.
But in tennis, you're all alone. In fact, it's worse than that. You have yourself for company, and that's often the most difficult person to win over.
At least it's a different kind of pain, for a change. And it's all for fun. Wish me luck.
Glad to hear that you will be holding up the rich tradition of British Tennis, I look forward to seeing you up there with Henman, Murray and Rusedski ( wasn't he from Canada?) Best of luck and break a racket.
C