My Tennis Challenge: Playing With Friends

After posting my challenge on the patch a friend from years ago saw it and sent me a Facebook message offering to help me out!  Nate Rector is the Small Groups Pastor at Graystone Church in Loganville, and is also a heck of a tennis player (4.0 USTA and A-4ish in ALTA).

Nate and I met at Brookwood High School on a beautiful sunny morning so that he could give me some basic tips about strokes and answer some of my questions.  He suggested some tips which I tried to implement (with about 32% success rate).  After hitting and practicing for a bit, I was ready to challenge him in a quick set.  Immediately, Nate knew he was in big trouble, then went on to easily defeat me 6-1.

I was encouraged by the fact that Nate didn’t think I was terrible.  In fact, he thinks I have some potential.  I’m not sure for what (getting a first serve in at some point? Hitting the ball over the net more than I hit it into the net?), but at least he sees something that I can work with.  Nate was gracious to me when I completely whiffed on a serve attempt.  Nothing.  Didn't even tip the ball.  Of course, the sun was in my eyes.

I was also able to play with two 6'5" friends, Steve and Jeremy (at separate times).  Steve actually coaches high school tennis, so he helped me out a lot too.  He also pounded me unmercifully 6-1, 6-2.  Unfortunately for Jeremy, he became my first victim.  I was able to beat Jeremy 6-3, 5-2 (then we got run off the courts).  Jeremy wants a rematch soon.

I played with Nate again, and lost 6-2, 6-1 which brings my total record of games won to 18 and games lost to 35.  An 18-35 record is not good anywhere.  I’m thinking about playing some 4th graders just to get my record in better shape.

Main takeaways:

1. I’m not terrible, but I have a long way to go.
2. I now have some idea of what I’m supposed to be doing when I strike the ball, but the game is moving so fast that it’s hard to remember everything that I’m supposed to do.
3. Nothing is more important than simple practice.  Repetition, repetition, repetition.
4. I’ve got to find some 4th graders to play.