Tennis Prose




Mar/11

9

“Tennis is Fun”

By Amanda H. LeMay

At the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis last month I watched as Rainer Schuettler quickly and efficiently put away the first set in a first round match-up against Ivan Dodig. Rainer, a tour vet and crafty player, was rolling along until a few mistakes started creeping into his game and a few bad line calls started creeping into his mind. After he was broken and subsequently lost the second set he looked over to his coach and said, “It’s okay. Tennis is fun.”

Of course, the crowd thought it was funny but I started thinking about the true meaning in this statement. These guys, especially those ranked out of the top 20, are traveling week in and week out, they are training, they are away from their families. Many times they are playing on an outside court, as was so on this day, with no hawk-eye and few fans. Is this really fun?

For “older” guys like Schuettler, there is obviously something that keeps them coming back year after year. Maybe it’s the hope for one more title or the thrill of a single victory? Or could it be simply the love of tennis? I also watched as another tour vet, Radek Stepanek, lost a tough three-setter against rising star Milos Raonic. How frustrating it must be for a seasoned pro to run into a young upstart with nothing at all to lose. But yet year after year, even after injury they come back.

Take Juan Martin del Potro, who also had a good run in Memphis. After his wrist injury in 2009 he admitted that doctors told him he might not ever be able to play again. At this point he had already won a grand slam, been number 4 in the world and had amassed over $6 million in prize money alone. For the average person this would surely have been enough but there is a drive in these top players that makes them want to do anything they can to get back out on that court again. I suppose it is the general atmosphere of the tennis world that draws them in too. I saw several players who had lost in the first round or qualies, just hanging out at the venue later in the week (Malisse, Tipsarevic, Verdasco, Harrison, Phau). They were practicing, sure, but they were also watching tennis, lounging in the players area, even giving interviews!

They live and breathe this life.

Federer by Stephen Burkett

So I guess I am not surprised that during the Memphis final Andy Roddick played three sets and more than two hours with a high fever and a pinched nerve in his neck. Roddick, with 30 titles and over $19 million in prize money surely could have taken that Sunday off. But instead, he fought until the end and finally won the title with an amazing diving forehand passing shot that he even proclaimed, “The best shot of my life.” Moral of the story? Tennis is fun – and moments like this are what keep us, as well as these players, coming back for more.

Amanda H. LeMay is a www.Tennis-prose.com correspondent. The 2011 Regions Morgan Keegan Championships Memphis ATP event was the first professional tennis tournament she has covered.

You can see more of Steven Burkett’s artwork, which are painted onto small cardboard pieces for $12 each, at www.Stephen Burkett.squarespace.com

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1 comment

  • Scoop Malinowski · March 9, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    Very good piece I really enjoyed this Amanda. You have a unique refreshing perspective on tennis.

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