tennis, life and a few things in between

Leagues with 8 or more teams with 3 divisions: the 1st place team in each division, and the 2nd place team with the most points (amongst all the divisions) will advance to playoffs

The first place team from each division make playoffs (3 spots). The 4th playoff spot is determined by the team having the most points amongst all 3 divisions.

As we were approaching the exit 9P on the Grand Central Parkway from the East to the National Tennis Center, there was a parked car. I kid you not. It’s dark and we were dumbfounded. It’s not the highway shoulder for Pete’s sake. What’s more? The male driver opened his door without the slightest regard to the traffic and fellow drivers. And he got out. By then, we were exited already so I didn’t know what happened. Hopefully all was right.

It’s first round of playoffs for the Manhattan League 3 divisions. We faced the strongest team in the 7.0 mixed doubles flight: they won 122.5 points out of possible 130. The matches were scheduled at 7pm but we were advised to get there 30 minutes prior. In fact, our first and second doubles teams were called to work at around 6:45 as the courts became available. Kai and I was the third doubles, didn’t get on court till 7.

The USTA roving umpire came over performing the coin toss with a nickle. Not a quarter? Guess the economic downturn has severely affect the game as well. He’s new or I haven’t been playing the league long enough to know everyone. He asked each of us where do we live: the farthest got to call head or tail. Although I’m only 10 miles away from the NTC but I got to call because the ump deemed the Bronx where our opponents live is farther. I called head and the head it was. We decided to receive.
The guy looked very neat and composed, Rafa Nadal’s neat. He wore a short that’s more office than court. The trousers has two darker strips lined the inside of the thighs – adductors. For a moment I thought he wet himself. Then his 100+ mile per hour second serve took my mind off his pants. He has the best serve I’ve played so far on the league. Some male players would soften his serve when poor me was on the receiving end, so I didn’t get to experience or handle the real forceful men power .. until this Saturday. I wasn’t intimidated but I just couldn’t get to it -:). He aced me left and right. (AT this writing, the new world record of serving is set by Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic: 251 kmph or 156mph.)

Then couple of shots later when I finally managed to return his serve .. no .. actually it’s when I finally was able to barely get my racket on his serve. My return landed in the mid court. He rushed in for a deadly kill with a loud grunt, and felt on to the ground. The ball went out with a menacing speed, hitting the blue panel with a deafening thud. However, his grunt was very eerie, like a wounded cub or toddler whose favored toy was being taken away; almost girlie. Very contradicting from his tranquil facade.

I have always disgusted by my ugly grunt and wishing if I could trade any stokes for it. I think I’m ok with it now -:) He certainly made me feel my grunt isn’t as ugly as I thought before. SO .. thanks a ton!

Throughout the match, he aimed at Kai all the time, which was often since lovely Irene knows how to set up her partner up. Sight. I did ask Kai if there were marks left from the battle. He just laughed it off.

I were to serve the second and surprisingly held my serve till I was serving for the first set at 5:4, and at 40:love. You’d think Irene can rise to the occasion.

Think again -:(

We lost first set at 7:5. We got swept. Totally.

My Big Bro was there too and he offered similar observation on our opponent. He’s going to go back to Beijing in about three months, permanently. Happy relocating Big Bro!

I took a shower and came out finding my chauffeur and his wife were waiting, to whisk me to dinner. Guess they weren’t too mad at me for losing the match as to abandon me. They even tipped me! Being captain does have it perks. Oh well, hope the league isn’t going to find out about this. I didn’t ask for it !!!

So… we are done with Manhattan.

So I’m happy: being chauffeur to the matches in lux; having good time playing with my kids mates..

So life is good.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone on the team, for your consideration, cooperation and tolerance (of me). I really appreciated your support. We’re a team and we had good time.

The End.

2011 Metro USTA League
Manhattan Mixed Doubles Playoff Regulations

Congratulations on a successful season and reaching the playoffs. Captains and players should review the following regulations PRIOR to their first playoff match.

Venue: Matches will be played indoors at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. For directions, visit here.

Playoff Format: This is a single elimination tournament. Each court is worth 1 point. The team that wins the most points in each match is awarded the win. The team that wins each level will advance to the Regional playoff.

All match times are approximate except for the first match of the day. Matches will be called as the courts become available. The default time (15 minutes) starts when the court is called.

Eligibility: Players must have 2 local matches recorded. Only 1 default may count towards eligibility. Each team must have a minimum of 6 players available in order to participate in the playoff’s.

Once a player participates in this tournament, they may not participate in a playoff match in another region until their Metro team has been eliminated. (Please see Eastern Rule IIIG for additional details).

All players must have government issued photo ID. Random checks will be done throughout the tournament.

Check-in and Scorecards:
Captains are required to check in at the tournament desk upon arrival. Captains must present their lineup 30 minutes prior to their scheduled match time. If a player is late, the captain must put the missing player in the 3rd doubles position before the lineup is submitted.

All players must be present and ready to play 30 minutes prior to the start of their match. When the court is called, all players must report to the tournament desk, introduce themselves to their opponent and then proceed immediately to their court. Players who delay the start of a match will have a penalty point accessed.

IMPORTANT: Players will receive a 30 minute rest period between matches at the same level. Players who elect to play at 2 levels are NOT entitled to a rest period.

Officials:
USTA roving umpires will be present during the matches to maintain warm-up and rest periods, resolve disputes and enforce the rules of tennis. Officials will call foot-faults and penalize code violations. A referee will also be present to answer questions about tennis rules.

Match details:
Warm up: 10 minutes, including serves.

Games are regular scoring, with a set tie-break (first to 7 pts) when 6-6 in games is reached during the first 2 sets. If you split sets, a 10-point tiebreak will be played in lieu of the 3rd set. In doubles, order of serve and receiving order can be changed after each set.

Coman tie-break procedure is used for all tie-breaks: players change ends after the 1st point and after every 4 points thereafter.

Breaks: A 2 minute break is permitted between the 1st and 2nd set. Play is continuous between the 2nd set and 3rd set tiebreak unless there is a changeover. A maximum of 90 seconds is allowed on changeovers, 20 seconds between points.

All matches are played to completion.

All players (winners and losers) are required to turn in the balls and report their scores to the tournament desk IMMEDIATELY after their match finishes.

Captains must sign the scorecards after all courts are completed.

Player Etiquette:
Players must follow the USTA Code of Conduct at all times.

The server must call the score loudly and clearly before each serve. Players are responsible for ensuring they have heard and understood the score. If all players on a court forget the score, go back to the point that everyone agrees on.

Make all line calls clearly and immediately on your side of the court. If there is doubt, the ball is good. (A ball that is 99% out is still 100% in). Officials will overrule bad line calls.

All cell phones and electronic devices must be turned off during matches.

Bathroom breaks may be taken, but should be on a changeover and with the official’s knowledge. Players may not talk to their teammates, coaches or spectators during a bathroom break.

Spectator Etiquette
Spectators, family and team members are encouraged to attend our playoffs, as long as they abide by the following:

• May not talk to players on the court. Coaching is not allowed, and talking to players will be treated as coaching.
• May not comment or make visual signals on line calls.
• May not cause any distractions to the players.
• May not engage in any form of verbal abuse against players, spectators, or tournament staff.
• Must limit clapping and cheering as it disrupts play on adjacent courts.
• MUST turn off all cell phones and electronic devices.
• May not approach the officials to discuss matters relating to play or the players. They may, upon the request of a player, alert the official that a court needs assistance.
• May not use flash photography nor videotape matches.
• May not enter a tournament court without the permission of the tournament staff.

Spectators who violate these rules will be asked to leave.

A warning and/or a penalty may apply as a result of any player, captain or spectator interfering with match play and abusing the code of conduct. This includes disruptive behavior on or off the court.

Spectators who violate these rules will be asked to leave.

Refreshments
The tournament staff will provide snacks (i.e. bananas, granola bars) for the players. Please make sure your players bring their own water and any other dietary requirements.

The City View Tennis Club is near the LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, inside of a warehouse with large and slow elevator. The surrounding area is very crabby and dirty, and the parking is difficult. The club itself is pretty new, nicely done but somehow, I felt the craftsmanship (bathroom, etc.) is sub par. The little wooden chests that hold hand towels, tissue boxes, etc. between courts are comical. Why don’t they invest more in the chair/seating instead? The white plastic lawn chairs were out of place there.

Unless invited by the opposing team, players may not cross to their opponent’s side of the court to check a mark.

My partner and I finished our match quickly (against two 3.0s) and were playing on court #5 against our own mates. The first doubles on court #4 was still being played out. During a game, I saw our pairs were on their opponents’ side of the court, they were all standing around the net near the middle. I briefly thoughts, oh no, dispute.
After that game, my pair were still there.
How serious could it be?
I wondered and walked over.
No dispute but the young guy had a painful cramp, and he couldn’t move. So the three other players were standing there with him. Good news was that after a prolonged period of time, he was able to move and play, and played well.

I looked over at the opposing captain who was playing with his teammates. This is the third time that an opposing team has injury time out. All three times were cramp and I was there all three times, including my very first league match.

As for the injury time out. At this level of play the rule is that an injured player has a reasonable amount of time to try and recover and continue play. The only circumstance the time out is timed is when an official is present.

Good thing is my team or I had always waited for the player to come out of the cramp. Good sportsmanship should come first.

This morning when I update the scores did I realize that our (last night) opponents were both 3.0. We didn’t feel good at winning such a match and now .. feeling cheated.. .. in light of time we committed and fee paid, we or everyone would want some competitive games for all to enjoy – at least on paper if not in reality.

Only the following pairings are allowed:
6.0 = 3.0/3.0 or 3.5/2.5 or 3.0/2.5
7.0 = 3.5/3.5 or 4.0/3.0 or 3.5/3.0
8.0 = 4.0/4.0 or 4.5/3.5 or 4.0/3.5
9.0 = 4.5/4.5 or 5.0/4.0 or 4.5/4.0

This is not a nice thing to do to my team or any team. If a team doesn’t have the appropriated combo, they should forfeit the court. Dragging us out there to play a such ill fitted match is inconsiderate.

The Manhattan League regular season has concluded and we made the playoffs with the lowest points among the three divisions. The three first place teams/2nd in terms of points:

Div I: 92/82.5
Div II: 95.5/89
Div III: 122.5/83

The wild card belongs to Div II Bricker/Ford. DIII Team 17-Dawes scored an eye popping 122.5 out of possible 130 points (10 matches). My goodness gracious. My 2010 Queens team raked in 122 out of 11 matches (143 possible pts).

Last night our Queens team did poorly, lost first and second doubles. One of the pairs had bagel in the first set and was leading 3-0 in the second but ultimately lost the match. The mates didn’t have a good evening. The opponents played well.

Last night’s match was very enjoyable. The opposing captain was late so I didn’t get to meet him afterward. We filed into court #1, #3 and #5 (bit odd .. oh well..) without exchanging the lineup sheet.
The vibe on the court was positively joyful and we played with great enthusiasm. I served really well but one double fault, made all my overheads (odd too bec I’m lousy at it), and didn’t miss too much volley.
The opposing team’s girl was bit nervous at the match who played well during the subsequent sets when the match was over. She has a pair of endless long legs and made good overheads smashes. For some reason, Kai lost control and accidentally hit her couple of times. We, I felt bad but she was very gracious about it. I knew the feeling when I hit some one. It’s always unintentional but due to my skill that I don’t really have a good control of the ball. In any case, she showed cheerfulness and joked about getting even.
I need to learn how to win a closely contested matches!!
Mental!

There are moments during a match that you could rise to the occasion, meet the challenge. And there are moments that one couldn’t, no matter what. I had that second moment in life last night at Queens first match. After winning the first set at 3, I lost all my mind and will. I was so disgusted … and disappointed; feeling very sorry to have let my partner down, who worked and drove us there .. Over all, the matches were well played and I enjoyed our opponents. (At least someone was happy .. wink .. wink .. wink ..)

It wasn’t the best time for traveling/driving due to the icy condition last night. But the road was rather empty at around 7pm, normally would be crowded with rush hour traffic.

It ain’t over until the fat lady sings ..
I’ll mull this over and over for a while.
Second string for our 9th match of the season. Our opponents were he 4.0/she 3.0 combo. During the warm up, he hit so hard that I called him to the net and joked begged for my little dear life:
“Please don’t kill me.” ha ha ha .. very funny.
Somehow we played well and won the first set at 6-4. Then she was severing at 2-4. I played aggressive, hit a smart backhand and .. .. we suddenly put ourselves in a pretty secure position: they were 0:40.
What happened next?
Lord knew.
We lost that game.
Change over.
I was severing.
For the first time, I couldn’t hold.
4-4.
The 4.0 killer took next game pretty easily.
At change over, Kai said … “.. oh .. I have to hold .. ” because it’s 10:21. Only 4 minutes remained before the cut off time.
For some reasons unbeknown to me, my mind wasn’t at the court.
We watched a point being played at Court 6. The girl hit a deep shot to the ad court. It’s a very close and my girl called it out. Court 6 change over ensured. Our opponents disagreed on the call and the 4.0 Killer went on to their court telling them the ball landed on line; and he even questioned my guy at water fountain as he was getting a drink.
Hmmmm .. .. not a good right thing to do. I said nothing because the atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly last night. Thanks to all players. On our court, no bad calls on my part (great). Oh, wait, actually there were two out calls I didn’t yell out when Kai was expecting me to shout (not good) .. and he constantly had to save me from behind (when I was too lazy to even try .. .. super bad).
It was an enjoyable match but .. we lost the second set at 4-6. Time was up.
I felt yucky and kicked myself well into the wee hours. I’m speed dialing my shrink now.

Missed opportunity. It’s ours match to lose and we lost it.

Does everyone grab the opportunity by the neck whenever, as in life? It’s the mental part of it separates the good and the better, from time to time. The great has it together all the time.