Whoohoo...I'd Like to Thank

[Foraserve]

I won my first USTA league match tonight!! I play singles. This is my first season of league tennis, after a 25 year hiatus from playing.

Anyway, I'm particular pleased because I lost my first two matches: 0-6 4-6 and 0-6 5-7. I was getting worried that I was getting into a rut and couldn't mentally/physically pull it together until the second set.

I want to say thanks to all on the board who helped me from the beginning - picking a suitable racquet, dealing with shoulder wrist pain, the agony of defeat, etc.

As I prepare to attend the Davis Cup competition this weekend, my win tonight is icing on the cake. My win also resulted in a team win. It was great not to disappoint my teammates.

I love this game!!

Cynthia

 

[fe6250]

Way to go! Congrats!

 

[zidane339]

Good job...whoo!

 

[zapvor]

as token of thanks, you should take pics of the davis cup action

 

[kairosntx]

Congratulations! Keep it up!

I toook off almost 23 years so I feel your enthusiasm.

 

[roundiesee]

Congratulations! BTW, which racket are you using, and what is your string set-up?

 

[Foraserve]

Thanks everyone. I'm using a Head Microgel Radical with Wilson NXT 16 multifilament; strung at 57.

I'm thinking of ordering the ProKennix Ki5. I've demoed it twice and really like this racquet for it's pop and arm friendliness. I tend to get shoulder and elbow discomfort from play. It's gotten better with consistent conditioning, more attention to my form and recognizing I need a day or two between play.

I will definitely be bringing my camera to Winston-Salem. I'll try to post pics, but am not sure if I'll have internet access until we get back home.

 

[zapvor]

wooo! thats fine with me i will wait for you to get home. wheres home by the way?

 

[smoothtennis]

Very nice, and a big congrats!

 

[Cindysphinx]

Oooh, what level are you? 5.0?

What did you do differently this time?

 

[Foraserve]

Oooh, what level are you? 5.0?

What did you do differently this time?

Don't I wish I'm self-rated at 2.5 playing with a 3.0 team. My tennis instructor thought it wasn't some complicated mental block, but just me feeling as if I could always catch up in the second set. I'm pretty sure she was right. Last night I took a few deep breaths (sp) prior to the match and said "you've got to come out the gate running, it's the second set already." I also focused on some of the things I've read on this thread - not rushing myself, being relaxed and balanced, not expecting match play to duplicate my lessons or practice and whenever I was feeling anxious or nervous repeating my mantra "no judgment no fear." Oh yeah, I also started reading The Inner Game of Tennis.

I live the North Carolina Triangle area (Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill). So, Winston-Salem is only about 1 1/2 hours away. We're planning to stay in Winston-Salem though. I think it's the hotel where the players might be staying. Who knows who I might catch walking the halls or at breakfast, a glimpse of Blake, Roddick, the Bryans...

One thing I learned is I love the running cross-court forehand. Best feeling in the world!!

 

[Foraserve]

As promised - Davis Cup photos. I know a bit late, but I'm not very versed in technology. Found out my Yahoo photo account was closed and had to find another free photo sharing site. Here they are:

http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm191/fasttennis/Davis%20Cup%202008/?albumview=slideshow

After reading the post about Guy Forget's comments about Gasquet, the photo of Gasquet before his match with Blake appears a bit telling.