My first tennis match in Gay Games VI certainly went my way, with a 6-2,
6-3 victory over Team Vancouver's Ken MacDonald. Pulling off a first-round victory on a surface with which I am unfamiliar
provides extra satisfaction. Ken, a lefty like me, started the match strong with some excellent serving, pulling me
wide and pumping up the pace. But I fought back in typical style by getting the ball back and sapping some
of the pace from his shots, which in turn forced him to overhit many times. Fleet footwork provided the rest of
what I needed to win the first game of the match.
The match progressed with both of us palying somewhat cautiously and going
for winners only when they seemed most likely to succeed. My trusty lob worked to good effect on several occassions,
resulting in the Canadian often trying overhead smashes that sent the ball into the net. My serve did not feel up to
its full potential throughout much of the match, but perhaps saving some in reserve for future matches is a good idea,
since it was enough to see me through this one.
After amassing a 6-2, 4-1 lead, Ken fought back valiantly to make the match 4-3.
In a few instances, the tricky surface got the better of me, including several slips and a few near-falls. After some
fear that I would face difficulty closing out the match, I ended up holding serve to make it 5-3. Ken then served a
see-saw game that ended when he double-faulted on Match Point, handing the match to me.
I must say it was a distinct pleasure that this, one of the most important
matches of my life up to now, was also one of the most friendly matches I've ever played, with Ken and I joking and laughing
between points. We then talked about his role on the board of the Federation of Gay Games, and he shared with me the
exciting news that Vancouver is organizing and will host the first-ever Winter Gay Games in January 2004. So tell your
friends!
After my match I watched my mixed doubles partner, Jacqui Kinder, play
some very smart tennis to win her first singles match on the same court that I played on earlier, 6-2, 6-0. Then I joined
Jacqui and some of her deligthful Aussie friends for the bus and train ride to Homebush, the site of the Sydney 2000 Olympics
and location of many 2002 Gay Games events. On the train I found myself surrounded by five Australian
women Jacqui and her friends -- feeling as if I was among cousins.
At Homebush -- a huge, space-age-styled sports campus -- we watched Jacqui's
girlfriend's team, the Sydney Spikers, make short work of a Dutch team on the volleyball court. Then I hitched a ride
with a Homebush ranger to the Olympic Tennis Center to see what it was like, and saw a bit of mixed doubles action.
As the day drew to a close, I ran into two English tennis friends and three of their Team London friends on the way back to
the train and took the ride back into town with them. Surrounded this time by five amiable Englishmen, I once again
felt I was among cousins.
Tomorrow I face a Team New Zealand player, Greg Hopa, in the round of 32 in Men's
Singles. I met him today and saw a little of his playing style He's about 6'3", thin and somewhat speedy.
I'm developing a gameplan and I plan to put it to good use tomorrow.
Check back here for the results. Until then, thanks for all your support!
