Hello all!

Unfortunately, the team lost the match today.  It was an all day affair that lasted until 5:00 pm.  The good news is that after a slow start I was able to represent and win both my singles and doubles matches.

In singles, I got off to a very slow start and got hammered in the first set 6-2. My opponent was a good player and had a big serve and forehand.  In the second set, I started getting more comfortable and played much better.  My focus clicked In and I was able to zone in on my plan.  Sometimes against really good players, it takes me a little time to solve the puzzle and figure out how to win.  The team I'm playing on is a 30 and over team so the guys are younger and play with more power.  Once I figure out how to neutralize their power game and get them to play to my strengths, I can turn the tide of the match in my favor.  That's exactly what happened!  I won the next two sets 6-1, 6-4.  There were some intense moments closing it out but it was awesome to win for the team.

You will all be glad to know that it's possible that everyone in The south western part of Germany knows about Kansas City now because every time I hit a winner or a great shot, my team mates would shout....LETS GO KANSAS CITY!  I'm sure the other team was wondering what the heck they were talking about!  For one day at least, Kansas City was the most well known city in the US!

After the singles matches were completed, the team was down 4-2.  That meant that we would have to win all of our doubles matches to win the overall match.  The partner I played with was a really strong baseline player but wasn't so experienced at the net.  He told me to just tell him what to do and he would do it.  I told him to crush his ground strokes and try to set me up at the net because I was going to be really aggressive.  The combination proved to be very effective and we crushed a really good team 6-1, 6-0!!!  My partner was so excited and was laughing at the way I was playing at the net.  I literally was a Net Monster!  Doubles is so fun when you are aggressive at the net.  That's why I coach it that way.  I have always said......"The party is at the net!"

The other two doubles teams were not as fortunate and lost close matches.  The team was a little disappointed but the mood quickly turned more upbeat as we had the traditional after match meal with the other team.  This is one of the cool things about German league tennis.  Win or lose, the home team always hosts the post match meal and the teams get together to eat and drink and talk about the match.

Overall it was a great time and a great day for me.  Tomorrow will be a more relaxing day.  I'm going to take a day off from practicing to let the body rest.  The plan is to sightsee a little in Wiesbaden and spend some time with my German friends.  Tomorrow I leave for Barcelona.  Talk to you soon!