I am
a member of the Tennis Baltimore League 40+
division as well as the elite/advanced division which I just got bumped up to
this season.
How long have you
participated in your league?
I started in the summer of
2024, so this is my third full year. I take advantage of all the
season offerings as well as doubles and the tournaments. If you offer it,
I sign up for it.
How did you first learn
about it?
I was struggling to find
consistent partners on my musician schedule and googled "baltimore tennis
league flexible"
How often do you play?
These days I try to play at
3-5 times a week and my goal is to get 20 matches in a season.
What do you like most about
the league?
It's competitive and
flexible. When I tried local tournaments I was locked into weekend times
which were problematic for my schedule. Meeting new people and feeling a
part of a community is really special for me and I've met so many great people
and made new friends.
Tell us about your most
memorable match(es)
My most memorable matches are
the close losses which tend to stick with me, but serve as motivation to get
better. Then, when I analyze footage of the match (SwingVision is
incredible!) and hopefully make adjustments, I can get closer to getting over
the hump against the better opponents. I'm not that competitive
(really!), but the competition serves as the basis for self-improvement.
Brian Wiley and I always have
close and memorable matches. Also Maryam Yamadi who has excellent
fundamentals and always gives me a run for my money. Wayne Bailey is an
excellent complete player who has schooled me in the two times I've met him in
the playoffs, but every time we play I learn a little more and maybe someday I
will be closer to his level.
Do you have any other
interesting comments about your experiences with the league?
When I started 3 years ago I
was at the 3.25 level and was in the lower competitive league and have managed
to move up into the upper leagues and with each bump-up I've eaten some humble
pie at first and eventually got the hang of what each division required.
Currently the elite/advanced is kicking my butt and I feel like I'm barely
treading water with the sharks, but I know in time I will get more comfortable
and catch up to the tempo and skill that the division demands.
How did you get started
playing tennis?
I
grew up in the 80's and seeing the fantastic matches between Borg & McEnroe
sealed the deal for me. From there it was Tennis Camps, Middle School and
High School Teams with some local tournaments thrown in occasionally.
Do you play to compete, or
for fun?
Both, but I'd be lying if I
said that it's fun win or lose. My wife would beg to differ as well
:) It's always fun of course and losses motivate me to improve,
but it's of course nice to get the W.
.HEIC)
In
the league I'm currently at 3.75 I hope to get up to 4.0 someday,
I just have to keep putting in the time through practice, playing matches
and learning from the top guns in the division.
What do you love about
tennis?
It's meditative
qualities. When I'm on the court, I try to achieve a zen state where
nothing else is happening except the tennis match. And if can maintain
that for 2-3 hours AND get a great workout, that's incredible.
Who are your favorite pro
players? Why?
My favorite of all-time will
always be Pete Sampras. He was a no-nonsense genius with a great
game and was soft-spoken with no apparent ego or attitude which always turned
me off with some of the other players of his era. As far as the
players of today, of course watching the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry is great but I
also love to watch Alexader Bublik because he's so entertaining to watch.
I also love to watch Lorenzo Musetti mostly for his one-handed backhand which
is a thing of beauty. I watch tennis to inspire but also try to
absorb good qualities from their styles. I've always been a very visual
person, so I try to pick up little bits by watching and try to incorporate
those elements into my style.
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