Sunday, March 6, 2022 (Court Day #475)

My right shoulder was pretty sore last night and this morning, but I didn’t expect it to bother me that much today and it didn’t.

I arrived at Derby Park about 10 minutes before opening time at 9 a.m. John was there drilling with a woman. He called through the chain link fence, “Want help setting up?” How could I turn that down?

Wet Court

There was one court that was wet. (Middle on the right as you walk in.) A net was already set up on it, so I left a net bag and a towel on the court as a sign that it was too wet to play on. There were a couple of instances where people removed the bag and towel anyway and I had to dash over from my game, explain, and put the items back. Eventually, everyone knew what was going on. Later in the morning, it dried out enough and I allowed play on the court.

First Game

My first game was with a new woman against Dave Allenbaugh and Tom B. After I returned several of Dave’s slams and my side won the rally, Dave kidded, “You’re making me mad!”

Rank Beginner

Midmorning, someone came to me and said there was someone hoping to learn to play. This newbie was Susie. When I went to find her a club paddle to borrow, I found out that she had already purchased her own. She said she is a friend of Lulu—whom I didn’t know—who was visiting today down from the East Bay. I told Susie that I was signed up for a game already, but once that was done, I’d give her a lesson. In the meantime, the two of us warmed up outside the courts, volleying the ball back and forth. She had decent hand/eye coordination. Not stellar, but decent. Then my game started and I told her she could watch and learn.

When I finished my game, I went to find Susie, but she’d vanished. Had she seen the level of play in our advanced game and freaked out? I asked around but she was indeed gone. Later, I found Lulu and asked her. “Oh, no. She’s fine. She’ll be back.” Not today, but in the future. That’s a relief. There’s always a concern that a newbie was offended, overwhelmed, or otherwise had a bad experience.

Compliments

I got into some fun games with Renee and Rick and Eric (Ann’s boyfriend). Renee gave me a compliment as we walked off after one game, “You have some of the quickest hands I’ve ever seen. I hope to be that fast someday.” Later in another game, Eric said, ”Those were some pro dropshots”, which I had done off of Rick’s slams.

Elbow

In a worrisome development, on a backhand downward volley, felt mild pain at my elbow . . . the outside, yes, tennis elbow. But it was mild and I hope it stays that way!

Out at 1:41 p.m.


Number of days on a court: 475
Number of total hours: 2,258.5

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