CrosscourtCO

I was so excited to start using my new tennis racquet I got as a gift from my parents. Sure, I was in my mid-20s, but I felt like a kid–getting his first bicycle! I had my racquet and tennis balls… but now I needed to learn how to play.

I decided to take summer tennis lessons at the Pueblo City Park. I paid $15 for 3-weeks of instruction. And from that moment on, I was hooked!

I signed up for lessons again the following year and played in my very first tournament. Well it was a tournament between the lessons players. My doubles partner Sarah and I made it to the final round. The final match was against two older women–who I instantly brushed off as weak competition. I was a bit cocky, thinking Sarah and I were gonna school them… Boy was I wrong. I can’t remember the final score, but they beat us and took home trophies that night. I was humbled by the experience.

There was another tournament that summer. Sarah and I signed up as double partners again and guess what?? We made it to the finals again!! And so did the older ladies who beat up last time. It was round two… and I wasn’t going down with a fight. I remember it was a close match, but I wasn’t gonna let a granny (no offense to older players) beat me twice!! Sarah and I gave it our all that night, and it paid off!!! We beat them!!! We won!!! And we got trophies!!! I was so proud. I wanted to show it off right away to one of my tennis instructors who was playing a match on a nearby court. I remember saying “Hey look what I won!”… she responded “You won that playing what?”… “Tennis!”-I said. Geez. What little faith she had. But I was so excited. It was my first tournament win and my first tennis trophy!

I’ve been playing ever since. There have been more tournament losses… and unfortunately no more trophies to add to my collection. There have also been moments of frustration, but I haven’t lost my love for the game. Sometimes all it takes is an old lady to beat you… to motivate you to keep trying and keep getting better.