sherbert wrote:

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Think he's finding it tough out there. Courts are just too quick for Neil. You could get away with a few mistimed forehands against a lot of players here - but not Zhrymont

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Shame today but good luck going forward.

Re the courts being too fast, it reminded me of a funny little story:

I was 'in charge' of a tennis team of 8 year-old boys, comprising my son and his little friend, Cyril.

Now, Cyril was a very good little footballer for his age, and handy with all ball sports, but had barely played any tennis and never watched tennis on TV or anywhere. But it was a small village club, and he was good friends with my son, and there were no other passable players, so they formed a team. Which was all good and fun.

For the matches, it's a key thing (in France) that the kids umpire themselves and parents don't interfere. But (a) some kids blatantly cheat and (b) more importantly, a whole heap of kids of that age get confused, lost, make mistakes etc. so I always thought a little bit of gentle help doesn't go amiss, when needed.

Anyway, little Cyril is waiting to receive serve and the opponent lad, Thomas, serves a lovely first serve, fast, and 12 inches inside the tramline corner (Thomas, I note, is now ranked 3.1). Cyril doesn't move. And after a moment's confusion, Thomas starts getting the second ball out of his pocket for a second serve, as he thinks it must have been out.

Thomas' mother turns to me, a little agitated and says 'but it was in'.

So I shout out " Cyril, did you see the ball in or out?"

And he says "Oh it was well in, definitely, but it was too fast. I can't hit ones that fast. He should do another".

Which we all thought was brilliant and should be a new 'let' call - 'serve too fast, need to play a let'.

NB It was gently explained to Cyril that players are allowed to hit the ball as fast as they want, which he took with very good grace, going "oh really? Ok", and walked over to the other side box, no problem.