Hey Tennis Friends!
It’s USTA Mixed Doubles League time!
As I had mentioned in a previous post, I am on three different teams this season, one of which is in a different “area” within our district. Since my rating has improved to a 4.0, I will be playing on the following rated teams:
In My Local District/Area
8.0 with a partner who is rated 4.0, or less
7.0 with a partner who is rated 3.0, or less
In An Adjacent District/Area
8.0 with a partner who is rated 4.0, or less
The following report is from my first day of the season, in which I had to play two matches, for two different teams, in two different geographical areas, in one day. The major hurdle was that they were 80 miles, and 90-plus minutes in traffic, apart!
Because of an apparent last minute scheduling change, I showed up to my second match a tad late. Everyone was already on court, waiting for me. As a result, not only did I miss out on a warm up, but I didn’t get to do a better introduction to my former mixed doubles partner, Inger.
In my second match, after a clarification from our team captain, there was a questionable interpretation of the rules by our opponents. The lack of “cooperative spirit” resolve from them, resulted in an unfair setback for us in the third set.
In trying to set the example of meeting new Tennis Friends, I am going against my normal conventions, and trying to play with a variety of partners. With the exception of Inger, I will be playing USTA League with all of my other partners, on the other teams, for the first time. This will be challenging, as I am used to practicing with my doubles partner at least once a week during my previous seasons.
I’ll see you next time, with more tennis, . . . outside the lines!
– Marcus Tennis
