Sunday, September 1, 2019 (Court Day #302)
61st day out playing lefty. Tennis elbow.
As I walked out my front door, it was already warm. It would be a hot one.
I arrived at Derby Park shortly before 9 to set up and there were already a few players there ready to go.
It was a good day. Yes, I made occasional wild lefty shots, but they were more the exception. My serves went back to landing consistently short with a few even landing in the net.
In a game with Charles against George and Allan K. I was on the left across from George. Allan hit a sharp crosscourt shot. I left it bounce wide outside the court, then hit a forehand drive low and deep, the ball landing in the corner. Successful around the post shot!
Later, with Charles as my opponent, I hit another ATP, this time, as a backhand around the right post but also landing in the corner of the court. A first. Two ATPs in one day! And both left-handed! I was quite pleased with myself.
On one slam coming from my left to my backhand, I was able to return it and return it crosscourt just inches over the net. George, my partner, asked, “How did you make that shot?” “Dunno. My body just does it.” Of course, my body just hits balls out too!
Allan K. said, “I can’t decide I you lay better right handed or left handed.” I can’t decide if that’s a compliment or an insult! (I’m sure it was intended as the former.)
A definite compliment was from jerry. “You’ve got to stop playing like that left-handed, you are making the rest of us look bad!”
The last game of the day was Eric (not Eric S.) and me against Charles and Bruce. I have to say, Bruce is playing better. He had some great passing shots and handled some fast volley battles well. Overall, he played quite well. It was a close battle, but Eric and I lost. I had to stop in the middle of the game, my eyes were stinging from sweat and sunscreen. I jogged over to my backpack and poured some water on a towel and washed my eyes. It was better but not perfect. Very annoying and very distracting.
I left the court at 1:18. Cal was another class going. Sue—whom I’d met Thursday night—was one of the students. Janet and Bruce were in a game when I left. When I asked, Janet said she’d stow the net—I’d stowed everything else.
A woman named Stacy, who has played for a couple of months, stopped by the courts and I chatted with her a bit about her friends who were considering trying pickleball. She’s encouraging them.
Number of days on a court: 302
Number of total hours: 836
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