tennis, life and a few things in between

Another pickleball tournament features 32 players with fixed pairs in two tiers. My upgrade to level 2 is to stay.

The rules are 10-minute timed play. At buzzer time, complete the point; if tied at the buzzer, play continues till the server wins by 1 point.

Nick is my partner, with whom I have never played. Actually, I don’t even know that he plays. Luckily, we managed to win 4 out of 7 games:

1. v. Yan & Martin: lost
2. v. Joyce & Carlos: won
3. v. Lurline & Jeff: won, came from behind 2-7 deficit
4. v. Angela & Bill: lost (10-11)
5. v. Karen & Richard: lost
6. v. Donnie Ed: won
7. v. Lynn Eoin: won (5-4, perhaps the lowest score)

I’m pretty tied at the end.

A fun evening with pickleball!

No scoring.

Someone reminded me: no lob, no smackdown. But many do lob and smack down: at our level, we play by instinct more than skill becasue we just don’t have the control.

The evening moon at the swimming pool

The second pickleball tourney of the year.

The format: 8 players a group, round robin, playing 7 matches; rally scoring to 15, win by 1 point.

The top four players with the highest points, go to play off: round robin, 3 matches, rally scoring to 11, win by 1 point. The score points decides #1, #2 and #3.

I won 3, lost 4 matches, finished 7th in total points: coach put me in Tier 2 – I’m at Tier 3 level – who kept saying don’t think about tennis … think pickleball -:)

My seven matches:

1. w/ Joyce, 8-15 to Roni, Kathy V
2. w/ Roxanne, 13-15 to Roni, Lori
3. w/ Angela, 8-15 Roni Roxanne
4. w/ Cindy, 15-14 Angela Lori
5. w/ Lori, 15-14 Roxanne Angela
6. w/ Kathy, 8-15 Lori Cindy
7. w/ Roni, 15-13 Joyce Angela

八人一组 轮流 打7场
共四层次, 俺是第三层次
教练硬是把俺升到第二层… 然后俺的得分倒数第二 [Lol]
就没有然后了

哪层次都无所谓
只是俺从来都不练球
怎么和高手打呀？
教练一直说 忘记网球 想皮卡球 [偷笑]

^{the winning team}

We won the final of our 2025 MLP at 9:5 over the 2nd place team Linda’s Dinkers Anonymous. All seven teams (4As, 3Bs) play at the same time 6:30. Bracket A is a tie at 4:4 and Bracket B won 5:1.

The third place is Hell’s Kitchen, 4th is Gherkins 2.0 (Sally & John A and their lineup; I played my first playoff with John in 2023), and the last is Dinkers & Drivers who failed to make the playoff.

A little pat on the shoulder: we B bracket won all our matches: 4 regular weeks and two playoffs. It’s not an easy task but we managed.

Today, my partner and I won both games for the B bracket:

1. w/ Inez def Diane and Donna 25:10
2. w/ Inez def Diane and Donna 25:19

Since it’s rally scoring and I’m on the right hand side, so I served out both matches. The first match was a forced error and the second match I ended it with an overhead.

^{Kim‘s birthday} 

The second match when we were at 24, I missed four points, including a serve: what was going on with me???

One good thing about this tourney is I learned a lot, from my partners and from spectators, who are just more critical, which is good.

Mixing it up: as I was going to warm up in the pool, I saw my ex partner and mistaken her as my current. She said, “Irene, we’re not playing together.”

Me, “Yes we’re.”

She, “No, we’re not.” then showing me the lineup, did then I realize she isn’t Inez. Irene, get a grip, will you?

I,  “oh well, all the white girls are look alike.”  … to cover my embarrassment.

A few players picked on my serve, often. So I practiced it on the tennis court before the match.

Was I nuts? Yes I was … both captains Linda and Ed told me “just forget about it” and go to play as I normally do. “There’s a player who goes into kitchen all the time and no one said anything …” But I’d rather to change my serve because I want to win fair and square. AND I did, which is more satisfying.

Both opponents are very nice. I called their ball good when I wasn’t sure, early on, which is what I always do: 99% out is still 100% IN. It was probably out because my partner asked about it. Then it was Donna who gave us a close baseline call. At the second game, Diane called an out ball good. I’m generous on line calls but I won’t contradict a call during a competition – the cardinal rule.

My partner  has experience and is awesome. During many long rallies – that is what Irene does who knows not much, Inez would come in and put it away. The practiced we’ve yesterday helps.

If there is one thing that I take away from this tourney is how much I learnt from everyone, my teammates, my partners and spectators: thank you all. Some are more critical than others but I benefit from it nevertheless.

In the second match, I returned the ball without bouncing – feeling utterly dumb and inadequate. My partner said that she does that too: a great partner who’s supporting you however they can. Kim is forever complimentary, which gives me confidence.

All in all, thanks to the organizers, my captain, teammates and the spectators: it was a great run.

• my two matches
• my serves
• Sally & John A
• my overhead shot seals the 2nd match win
• the tourney day

For the final, I’m teaming up with Inez, which is the first for us.

My serve needs improvement.

We play well together, don’t we?

^{Getting into the mood – one of our opponents}  

The regular weeks are over (I didn’t play the last week due to the book event), here comes the semis: us against Gherkins. The last two weeks’ playoff score is independent: winner takes all.

Our A bracket did well (6-2) but our B bracket swiped (6-0), winning all six matches.

1. w/ Kim def Shmulik & Pattie (s)
2. w/ Kalina def Shelly & Pattie (s)

Next week is the final, we’re playing against DD ..

A good evening for my team: we swiped the 2nd time: Bracket A and Bracket B, which puts us in the lead, with 5 wins. Although our wins is the same as Dinkers Anonymous but we’ve one more week to go and they don’t: next week is their bye week. We definitely will be in the playoffs: the rest of other 3 teams have the win of 1, 2, and 3.

The B Bracket played first. It’s a tie, so we played the tie break – the Dream Breaker – the skinny singles.

Each player rotates to play four point. The first team reaches the 25, wins (albeit on their own serve.)

Our A Bracket played Dream Breaker during the first match, unfortunately lost.

1. w/ Carlos v Angela & Ava – 25:22
2. w/ Chris E (sub) v Tony & Carol – 13:25

25:22 seems close but we were comfortable from the beginning. The second match loss, luckily again, was absorbed by the dream breaker 25:19.

The second match I played with a substitute who’s a beginner: her athletic ability made her a bigger liability. However, she did marvelously well at the Dream Breaker – winning all her serves at the first round, and served out at 24 and won. In the dream breaker, I broke even with Angela (2-2) in the first round and won 3-1 the 2nd round.

The unsportsmanlike conduct occurred in the 2nd match when the opponents messed up with scores. Instead serving to me, the serve went to my partner, resulted in a winner. Tony was nice who timidly offered to replay but his partner said NO righteously. I was going to offer them a concession even we were behind. In tennis, concession is always offered. During the match, there’s a sea of red (the color of their t-shirt) and they yelled loudly when they won a point from Chris. It’s beneath me to cheer for a point that was won over a weak. I only applaud for a worthy point. They won the battle but lost the war.

Regarding this, I asked the coach Byron Freso who replied:

Hi Irene,

I appreciate your thoughtful questions—they always keep me engaged! It’s great that you ask for clarification rather than making assumptions, so please don’t hesitate to continue.

Regarding the scenario you described, I understand why a player might feel upset. Here’s how the rule applies:

1. Incorrect Score Called Before the Serve

If the server calls the wrong score and serves the ball, the receiver has the option to hold the ball and not return it. In this case, the rally is replayed.

2. Incorrect Score Called, But Rally Played

If the receiver returns the serve, the rally continues, and the outcome stands. The reasoning is that the rally was played in good faith, even if the score was called incorrectly or the wrong player served. In such cases, there is no replay.

3. Mid-Rally Interruption Due to Score Dispute

If a player stops the rally midway to argue that the score was incorrect or the wrong server was in play, that player is at fault. As a result:

The opponent wins the rally.

Depending on the format, this could mean a point for the opponent, a second serve, or a side out.

In Major League Pickleball (MLP), this results in a side out and a point for the opponent.

While the partner’s decision might have seemed harsh, it was correct according to the rules—there was no basis for a replay.

I hope this clarifies the situation for you! Let me know if you have any further questions.

After the tie break, which we clinched the win, Tony said

“Oh, you’re a good player.”

Kim praised me also. and I said, as usual, humbly “it’s everyone’s effort.” Tony said, “just take the compliment.”

Yes Sir.

Today, it’s the first time the opponent questioned my rating. Ava asked if I’m tier 2. When I replied that I’m a mere 3, she said, that’s not fair. Well, that’s my rating from Byron Freso.

皮卡球比赛 我们队是第一.  还剩2个比赛周

Go team [偷笑]

So 今晚的吃相难看是

对手打乱了比分. 出现了不道德的行为. 这很重要, 因为他们发球给不同的球员 – 我的搭档非常差. 对手托尼很友善, 胆怯地提出重发, 但他的搭档理直气壮地说不. 我没有出声.
比赛期间,一片红色（他们的 T 恤颜色）的海洋, 当他们从我的搭档克里斯特手中赢得一分时, 他们大声喊叫 – 助威. 我很不肖 – 我只为值得祝贺的分鼓掌.

其实大妈的体育精神挺不错 很少争 而且总为好球鼓掌 尤其为对方的 (上个星期一对手在赛后 谢谢俺为她们鼓掌 I was like, seriously? Where were you from …)

So 可以想象当我们大获全胜后 我的开心.
为了区区一 2 分而失去人格 是在不划算
…
但有些人不觉得失人格是回事儿… win at all cost
Oh well – that’s SO not me 俺的人格也没什么了不起
只是自己有底线

附带说一下 克里斯特娃在tie breaker 打的非常出色

Good night n sleep well 💤

顺带说一下 2: 我们的队长是老公 他的媳妇是另外一个强队的队长… oh well

A wonderful practice with my teammates. I won both sets played with Bette and Lynn.

I watched a few pickleball serve videos on YouTube. Pickleball evolves quickly. Among many pointers, I see that full swing serve motion is IN or, it has been but I didn’t know.

Depth is more important than power when serving. A short serve, unless it’s a winner, it will bring your opponent in quicker …

• lob deep, bend the knees
• 5 legal serves: under spin 3:13; 13:18;
• bounce
• legal or illegal

I volley serve.

Our 2nd game of the MLP, defeating DD 2-1 Bracket B scores.

I watched a few pickleball videos on Youtube, and learnt that the serving hand should be lower than the paddle when serving: a new concept. So essentially, I served with my paddle vertical for the first time. Luckily, I’ve no double fault.

Round 1 of the A bracket is 2:1 and R2 4:2.

My B bracket is 2:1. I’ve the same teammate, to play mixed doubles and  doubles:

1. w/ Carlos v Ronni & Jerry (sub): 25:20
2. w/ Karlina v Amy & Linie: 14:25

My court’s loss was erased by two other courts’ win.

One of the rules is, at 24, you’ve to serve out to win the 25. We were leading 24 to 15 and lost the last 5 points. Ehrrrr … the player on the right hand side will be serving at 24, which was me – my bad. So think about it before taking sides with your partner.

Two partners have very different outlook for this MLP. The more experienced plays with strategy and shoulder more shots, which I happily to concede.

But the lesser experienced one won’t do. Like the last match, the opponents hit all the ball to my P. I could have returned many of them but the partner won’t let me. Perhaps the player felt slight or what? In a team, there is NO ‘I’. I want to win.

The second game, one of the two girls said to me, “Oh Irene, thank you for applauding my shots.” I was bit startled: gosh, where were they from? This is very common courtesy and I offer it freely to all, especially my opponents. Oh well.

My teammate reminded me that I need to stay out when my partner serves.

It’s the first time I heard/learnt that the paddle should be held vertically, instead horizontal when dinking. I’ve taken Byron F’s private lesson but he didn’t correct me – said nothing. Oh well.