Good Morning! Here's hoping the sunshine we see this morning indicates the cold and rain of yesterday are a goner. Crazy to go from eighty degrees to thirty-five in a twenty-four hour period of time.
Made our way to the courts yesterday morning so that Natalie could help with a kid's clinic. A local elementary school sent over about sixty students for some mini tennis activities. After a brief exhibition by Natalie and fellow American Jenn Ellie the kid's games began. There was a lot of heavy breathing and giggles happening. The best kid's question asked of Natalie....."how do you hit the ball between your legs?". Yes....she was hitting tweeners during the exhibition. Nat's reply, "after many years of practice". Always a very proud mom moment when you can watch one of your own giving back to a sport that has given them so very much.
Following the clinic, Nat put on her ear muffs.....yes....her ear muffs and went out to practice. Following practice we met up with another player and her escort to discuss our France trip. For she and Nat will play doubles together and she wanted to see if Nat would extend her trip another month or two. Becoming travel buddies if you will. Unfortunately, can't give many details for the tennis world is a small place and "corporate espionage"is ramped. As we found out again the other day. I was talking to another American player about our France trip, a foreign player over heard part of our conversation. While we were still engaged in the convo, said foreign player sent a text to the player I was speaking to that went something like this....."do you want to play dubs when you go to Europe, just wanted to ask you before Natalie did?" Now mind you the American player told us about it later and we never asked to see the text message....sooooo......was the American trying to stir the pot?? That is the kind of thing that divides the women's side of tennis. And what these young and sometimes foolish players don't understand is that they are only holding themselves back for there is room in the tennis world for all of them.
Our evening was of mellow content, which we throughly enjoyed. Our host Major Lee, cooked us a yummy pasta dinner. We enjoyed getting to know him and his gal Courtney. The ole Major flies Apache helicopters and works with our young men and women during their training processes. Don't know about you but I think it would be amazing to fly on one and the fact that Lee has and does is pretty darn cool. We thank you Major Lee for your service to our country and keeping us safe and sound. And of course for a great dinner and fellowship!
Today, Natalie and Nicole Melichar will team up to play the third seeded team of Moleniro (ARG) and Coyg (PAR). Natalie has faced both opponents in the past with mixed results. Should be really good doubles. They will play today, third on after ten....soooo ....that is code for 3ish. Here is the link to the draw and the live scores:
http://www.itftennis.com/procircuit/tournaments/women's-tournament/info.aspx?tournamentid=1100031500
See you on the flip side of the lil yellow ball bouncing....Love and Blessings....Sherry!
P.S. Nana is doing well and seems to be on the upswing! Thank God! Your continued prayers are appreciated.
