{"id":46703,"date":"2025-03-25T19:20:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T19:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tennis.ireneeng.com\/?p=46703"},"modified":"2025-03-26T18:13:33","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T18:13:33","slug":"the-final-of-mlp-2025-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tennis.ireneeng.com\/?p=46703","title":{"rendered":"The final of MLP 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>the winning team <\/sup><\/em><\/p>\n

We won the final of our 2025 MLP<\/a>\u00a0at 9:5<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

The third place is Hell\u2019s Kitchen, 4th is Gherkins 2.0 (Sally & John A<\/a> and their lineup<\/a>; I played my first playoff<\/a> with John in 2023), and the last is Dinkers & Drivers who failed to make the playoff.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Today, my partner and I won both games for the B bracket:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. w\/ Inez def Diane and Donna 25:10<\/li>\n
  2. w\/ Inez def Diane and Donna 25:19<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    Kim<\/a>‘s birthday\u00a0<\/sup><\/em><\/p>\n

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

    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.<\/p>\n

    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.”<\/p>\n

    Me, “Yes we’re.”<\/p>\n

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

    I, \u00a0“oh well, all the white girls are look alike.” \u00a0… to cover my embarrassment.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    A few players picked on my serve, often. So I practiced it on the tennis court<\/a> before the match.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    My partner \u00a0has 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<\/a> helps.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    All in all, thanks to the organizers, my captain, teammates and the spectators: it was a great run.<\/p>\n