seleswannabe
Rookie
I play 3.0 women's USTA league tennis and typically play #1 singles. The match I played today was by far the strangest and most mentally distressing match I have played to date. Let me just paint the picture for you. My opponent is around 60 years old, maybe 100 pounds overweight, arthritis in her knees and massive support braces on them. During warm-up, the poor things is hobbling around picking up balls wincing in pain. After warm-up she tells me all about her arthritis and how the braces help some. She also informs me that she is playing #1 singles because nobody else wanted to.
Let me just say straight away that I NEVER underestimate anyone based on their looks, their strokes, warm-up etc. Truly in tennis you can never judge a book by it's cover.
So on to the match. I spin, win and serve first. My first serve is a nice deep serve into the corner and she frickin' smacks a massive forehand crosscourt winner. 2nd serve, same but to her backhand, we rally I win the point. On to the deuce court. Same serve serve as first and same flippin' blazing forehand crosscourt winner. She is painting the lines. I end up holding serve. As the match progresses, I realize this woman is playing with no reservations and is just completely going for all her shots. She is playing with such intensity - like her life depended on this match. Not only that, but she is tracking down short/wide balls in lighting speed. Seriously, I could not believe how fast she was. I win the 1st set 6-1 but I was completely on edge and not comfortable at all with where my game was at. I fully expected her to take the 2nd set with the way she was playing.
Not only was she playing great, but throughout the match, when I did win a point, I felt bad. She would look so dejected and would hobble (yes, hobble) back to receive or serve, shoulders all slumped. I just could not get into this match. I was miserable.
I talked to my coach afterward and she told me that it can be hard to play someone like that. Kind of like when you are playing someone and they get injured. It knocks the wind right out of your sails....
I ended up taking the 2nd set 6-1 but honestly, this was the most unsatisfying win of my pathetic 3.0 career. I give this lady all the credit in the world. She showed tons of heart, played aggressive and absolutely NEVER gave up until the last point was played. If I were sitting in the stands I would have been rooting for her all day. Has anyone else experienced this? How do you get over it during a match? This is a first time experience for me.
Let me just say straight away that I NEVER underestimate anyone based on their looks, their strokes, warm-up etc. Truly in tennis you can never judge a book by it's cover.
So on to the match. I spin, win and serve first. My first serve is a nice deep serve into the corner and she frickin' smacks a massive forehand crosscourt winner. 2nd serve, same but to her backhand, we rally I win the point. On to the deuce court. Same serve serve as first and same flippin' blazing forehand crosscourt winner. She is painting the lines. I end up holding serve. As the match progresses, I realize this woman is playing with no reservations and is just completely going for all her shots. She is playing with such intensity - like her life depended on this match. Not only that, but she is tracking down short/wide balls in lighting speed. Seriously, I could not believe how fast she was. I win the 1st set 6-1 but I was completely on edge and not comfortable at all with where my game was at. I fully expected her to take the 2nd set with the way she was playing.
Not only was she playing great, but throughout the match, when I did win a point, I felt bad. She would look so dejected and would hobble (yes, hobble) back to receive or serve, shoulders all slumped. I just could not get into this match. I was miserable.
I talked to my coach afterward and she told me that it can be hard to play someone like that. Kind of like when you are playing someone and they get injured. It knocks the wind right out of your sails....
I ended up taking the 2nd set 6-1 but honestly, this was the most unsatisfying win of my pathetic 3.0 career. I give this lady all the credit in the world. She showed tons of heart, played aggressive and absolutely NEVER gave up until the last point was played. If I were sitting in the stands I would have been rooting for her all day. Has anyone else experienced this? How do you get over it during a match? This is a first time experience for me.
