Tennis therapy

At the end of July when Evan started getting messages about tryouts for fall tennis, he was not sure how he felt about it.  He had an ok season last year and enjoyed when he got to play but since they didn't have enough guys for a JV team - he didn't play very often. Our encouragement of "maybe you will make varsity if you practice a lot before tryouts" wasn't what he wanted to hear either.  He had visions of being the last guy on the varsity team and getting his butt handed to him every time he played.  We convinced him to at least go to the meeting and then make his decision.  With a new school year starting that was changing on a daily basis and -who knows if you will get to go back or stay home and be virtual and will they have plays or any after school clubs- seeing the team again and getting to play outside with real people was just the encouragement he needed. 

They had so many Freshman boys come out for tennis that they had enough for a JV team.  Evan was partnered at number three doubles with Zach and they soon became a force to be reckoned with. 

It was so much fun to watch them play together.  They have an amazing chemistry and work as an exceptional team.   They communicate well on the court - they know each other's strengths and weaknesses and shift their games accordingly.  They were always encouraging of each other when they were struggling or dealing with off days of play.  When they were "on" and playing great the banter and excitement from them just radiated off the court.  

Quickly after the season started, Evan started changing his hat for matches into a Subway visor that he found under the car during Singing Christmas Tree rehearsals.  The boy likes to find things. 

It was very confusing for all the Freshman boys on the team why he was wearing it.  They obviously needed a bit of time to get to know Evan and his very unique fashion choices.  The first time he wore it I think almost every kid on the team asked him if he worked at Subway.  Needless to say it became a thing and Zach started calling him Subway as a nickname.  It was hilarious. 

Because of Covid, the coaches decided they would not provide group transportation to the away matches.  The fear was if one kid ended up testing positive the whole team would then have to quarantine.  Understandable that you don't want to wreck your whole season with one positive case. 

The bonus that came out of having to drive him to his matches was that we actually got to see all of his matches.  In a "normal" year if he had busing available I am sure we would have let him ride the bus and thought "I am not driving all the way to Holland/Ludington/Zeeland to watch tennis".  I am so grateful that I have learned with still another year to go how much fun and worthwhile attending an away match can be.  Even if things are more normal next year I will still travel to the away matches. 

A beautiful Saturday spent at the Ludington Quad where Evan and Zach took second place playing up in second doubles. 

Playing so hard wears a guy out.  He fell asleep on the drive home from Ludington. 

Speaking of Ludington, in their last match they were playing guys that were a bit better than they were, both Evan and Zach were extremely frustrated.  At one point Evan hit his racquet on the ground loud enough that his coach had to issue him a stern warning to cut it out.  Needless to say - two days later at tennis practice the racquet completely cracked.  Since he had a match the next day we made an emergency run to the store where he purchased himself a new racquet.  Zach fished his old racquet out of the trash and decided to keep it as a trophy. 

 

The boys after their last match holding their broken racquet trophy.  They were trying to look tough but that didn't last too long. 

This flaming tennis ball was on the cardboard frame that came with his team photos.  I just thought it was hilarious to have a tennis ball on fire.  What a weird choice.

I feel a huge loss now that the tennis season has come to an end.  Even back when the season started in August, it felt like a little bit of normal in a still messed up world.  Being able to sit and watch tennis at the school courts - even while six feet apart and wearing masks- felt so good.  To be able to talk with other parents and friends was amazing after being away from groups of people for so long.  I am so glad Evan chose to play.  He had an amazing time this year and made new relationships with new friends.  His playing improved every week and that's saying something because I was amazed during the first match how much he had improved over last year.  His coach from last year was at the first match and I overheard him telling his current coach how much he had improved.  

I am grateful that we still have his senior season for another fall of tennis.  I am still grieving the end of this year though.  If Covid has taught us anything it's that nothing is guaranteed.  Planning anything is basically a joke at this point.  I just have to be thankful for the days we got at the courts and feel hopeful that there will be more.