Memorial Day! Duty, Honor & Country! Plus some Tennis.

This weekend is dedicated to all veteran's especially those serving in Iraq and those past and present some with us and some are not who gave of themselves to serve our great nation and other nations for the sake of freedom for all peoples. An unspoken bond of understanding resides in us all.
In order of age our present veteran members include Walter P. (U.S. Army Korea) Loi N. (South Vietnam Forces) Jack S. (U.S. Marines), and Rich Z. (U.S. Army). More to follow.... about tennis tomorrow.
I believe the Beatles had a song titled "Tomorrow never comes." Well it is the day after tomorrow and there was a lot of action down at the Basin Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Saturday was a late start because of the early rain but saw some good action. We almost had a full crew with two courts going with doubles action. Sunday Master (Yoda) Loi was a little off but still won with Zekes consistent play and service game 6-4, 6-2 against Walter and Kevin I believe. Than I went to Cedardale to watch some good men's USTA matches have a burger and some brews while cheering on some friends. I returned to the basin by three o'clock but had to coax Kevin into playing with a twelve pack of Corona. I believe Loi & Kevin squeaked a 6-4 victory over Zeke and little Joe but no one really cared to much as a good time was had by all. I did managed to hold out on buying pretzels however which Kevin tried to barter out of me also for playing. John from WA. also made his annual summer appearance and Victor is back from PA. and in good form. Linda M. from Cedardale stopped by to practice some ground strokes and played in a match with Z. against MasterLoi and Hotdog Harry who prevailed 6-2. All's I can say it was a weekend with too many barbecues and too many beers.

Buddha’s B-Day, Walter delivers & the Return of Ken

This beautiful Sunday saw the long anticipated return of Kenneth P. 2006 Haverhill City singles champion. The action and level of play definitely rose to the occasion. Jack also made his first appearance at Basin since last year and vowed that he would never make his bed again. The cast of characters also included the Toad man, Smithy, Mr. Little Joe, Joe C., Christian, and me Zeke. This left us with nine but we rotated out and everyone saw enough play. Todd’s brother John and girlfriend also showed for some practice on court three.
Walter & Loi vs. Ken & Zeke (7-5) Walter delivers!
This match made the AARP proud. What can I say when Walt & Loi are on they are a formidable team that never gives up. Ken and Z. cruised out to an early 3-0 lead but let up a bit and that was enough for the Mailman and Master Loi to regain the breaks. With a combined age of around 125 years they ran their arses off and base lined, hit passing shots and lobed themselves to a hard fought victory. With the momentum gained they cruised to an easier 6-3 second set. Walter also took down the 4.0+ Toad man in the next match while Zeke and his guitar sang a sad song of tennis wow on the bench. Walter by far was definitely the player of the day.

Buddha’s birthday a day of peace, love and compassion was a bit marred by a mentally ill man deciding to come on the courts to interrupt play. He did not take kindly to being strongly ejected from the courts and heckled us for a bit. But water finds its own level and him and Joe C. developed a bond of mutual admiration and exchanged phone numbers to party together.

Mothers Day Miracles & Jesus Sandals

Some say that Mothers Day is just a practice run for Fathers Day which is usually the weekend of the Haverhill City Open Championships held at Winnekenni Basin. But I would have to disagree. I have seen quite a number of extraordinary things happen on Mothers Day such as the birth of my son for example. But to every one's amazement on Sunday May 11^th, septuagenarian Walter (The Mailman) appeared for first time and then lo and behold Kevin’s (Smitty) car appeared at the courts. All matches were well under way and we hoped he had brought more beer since it was well after noon. He had not played since the winter and was on the disabled list along with Jack who threw his back out while making his bed on the first day of the season (Marines). Kevin suffers from feet and joint problems however and had taken to wearing Jesus sandals and baptizing converts in the basin. First a racquet appeared from his car door and immediately the Toadman yelled out “I am not stringing that racquet!....wait he has a bag....and is he wearing sneakers?” Kev came to play and play well he did. He was the last person off the courts that Sunday and even hit with Little Joe after the matches where over.

Of course there is a price to pay for everything and by the 16-4 Tuesday trashing of Toad & Zeke by Master Loi & Mr. Little Joe, Kevin was back to the sandals, making beer runs and heckling the players. This in no way helped the Toad & Zeke's plight and embarrassment. Victor still remains on vacation in PA.

May Day Tennis 05/01/08

Victor G. and Little Joe vs. Master Loi & Z. (6-4, 6-1)

A bit chilly Thursday Eve. Holding serve was key in these matches with a lot of early breaks. The first set the tone and momentum for the second set for the 6-1 win. Severing at 5-1 Z. pulled out some tough fought and long points for a 40-0 walk off win. Loi 's quick handed volleys and put aways at the net were key.

The next match involved Victor and Loi vs. The Semi Pro 5.5 level Toadman and The Flash Little Joe. It was ugly with Joe and Toad losing 6-3 . Toadmans level has dropped at Winnekenni to a very high 3.o, 3.6 perhaps. Hopefully Saturday will be playable. Sunday looks like a wash, we will see and there is always Cedardale.

For people on Plaxo or AIM the link to this website is: http://winnetennis.blogspot.com/