Last night was really one night I got so infuriated at Social Tennis. The initial arrangment was for a singles match between Penn and I and a doubles match between me and someone else I can’t remember. For some funny reason The Coach doesn’t like pairing Yong and I together and I probably understand the reason now. But the darling dearest had to asked for us to be paired together and somehow with the amount of people not turning up, our singles was changed into another doubles – a womens doubles.
And as usual (even with a blardy elbow band around my injured hand), The Coach and the Mrs. placed too much confidence in me again, by pairing me up with Lady L from the lower section B against Lady E and Penn. I was watching Lady L play her mix doubles and I was already thinking to myself, “OMG, why does Sam always do this to me?” 
I mean “For God’s sake!” even if I were a good player, all the ladies had to do with to keep targeting the ball at Lady L (which they did of course) and it wouldn’t even make a difference. And I was right because we lost 6-3.
During the Mix doubles, Yong and I were actually up 5-3 when we (or a little bit more he) blew it off to a 7-5 loss. Was it the amount of stress that I needed to win that turned his stress levels up I don’t know. I didn’t show much emotions during the match – cause I just wanted to concentrate. A lot of my shots which my Prince racket could usually get in (like my favourite baseline lope shot) has hardly worked since I changed to the Babolat and to be honest I am losing the faith in it. Maybe sometimes your Coach’s advice is not the most valuable because he recommeneded a heavier racket. 
And I realised the pain in the bones only started after I changed racket, and I haven’t won any match since the change as well. Does it really take so long to get used to a new racket?
Anyway I think the last shot (in the Mix Doubles) which ended the set really cause the fuse to explode because Yong yet again made his go at the ball which was coming to me and I thought he had got it and so wasn’t prepared when the ball just dropped past him and me without me being ready to hit it. I literally threw my racket on the ground and screamed at him, “Why do you have to do that again!” A simple shout of “YOURS!” might have saved that shot. I was too upset and angry to talk after that and I just stormed off to the car. 
Loses in 1 week is bad enough and for yet another week – I don’t think I was gamed enough for that.
And I have come to the conclusion that Yong and I are not suited to pair together for doubles – and I think the Coach probably thinks the same way too. Somehow we just seem to “lose it” when we play together and because of our relationship, it’s easier to get angry at each other. He has improved a lot since his come-back to tennis this year and he seems to excel when playing singles or doubles with another partner – but somehow when we partner together, it’s only once in a blue moon that he has a roll, the rest of the time he falters. And so for that, we are probably not gonna partner anymore for the district summer comps…
juzmel
jimbo
longy83
jl1989
poyyun19
edlee
Posted by edlee on October 31, 2009 at 2:39 am
Mel, I think you should not worry too much at all. That mixed doubles match was pretty intense … I could see the will of fire to win even from the courthouse itself, haha. I know how important is it to win a match like that, it’s like a match up between two top ranked seeds in doubles. A victory in a close game like this will certainly be a testament to how ‘good’ have you became…(Though I must say, it would be entirely appropriate to judge based on one match alone, but it is still relevant to be taken into account).
On the other hand, it was rather tricky match playing with Lady L. Because I knew I had to keep the points short, otherwise they will take this chance to win points of Lady L’s side. And it is not that I can win ALL the points hit towards me as well. Which makes it all the more pressuring, haha. What I probably would have preferred is that if only I had warmed up just a little bit more… I had new strings and there wasn’t many rallies going on at all so I had no rhythm or whatsoever. To sum it up, it was a huge disadvantage to face Guy J and Lady E. But I suppose it was good enough we managed to stretch it to a tie break … the only consolation out of it, haha.
There is a very gray and fine line regarding all these, as I for one would not have liked to lose either. However, the last thing I’d want to be is those many snobbish and spoilt tennis players whom I have encountered in the past, one that wouldn’t so much as look at you if you aren’t on par with their level. I wouldn’t mind playing with Lady L or Guy S once in a while …but certainly not with in a competitive level haha! Now I only hope that they strive to further improve and if we’re paired again in future, they will win those matches for me!
I’d say just try to look at things positively for now and give some time to warm up with your new racquet and also for you hand to recover. Sometimes it makes perfect sense to take a step back to look at the bigger picture, and then advancing with ease. It could be something like jumping off the cliff, don’t we build some momentum first … and then make a giant leap? Jumping headfirst would have otherwise lead to a horribly tragic end …:P
Posted by Melissa on November 5, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Wow you compare us with top ranked seeds, I’m flattered haha..
I think you were trying to say entirely “inappropriate” to judge based on one match alone? And I kinda agree with that, somehow sometimes when you’re just so close to winning, a few small faults and you’re on the other end of the bench again. :\
Haha I know what you mean about not being snobbish and looking down on other players, I’m happy to have a hit with beginners who like to improve as well, but like you said, definitely not in competitive play because they will really bring your game down. If not, your opponents will just target him/her because they are weak and you’ll hardly get the ball.
It’s a long explanation as to why this means a lot to me – the story from the last social comp season plays a big part. Let’s strive hard for tonight and get our wins ok? The hand is still playing up a bit and I’m probably going back to my old racket for the time being cause I find it’s more forgiving with my laziness to move sometimes.
Catcha..