the entertaining write-up! - United States Court Tennis

one of us goes down then we would be compelled to forfeit!
Luckily, he shook out the cobwebs and was able to continue.
After practice, we took a quick trip to the Arc de Triomphe with
the hope that a little “triumph” would rub off on us and carry over
to our tete‐a‐tete versus the Empire. The day ended with a
cocktail party at the club, in part to celebrate the club’s Centenary
, and featured an Jeu de Paume photography exhibition and
an
exhibition match featuring Matt Ronaldson and Spike Willcocks.
Finally, the first day of competitive matches had arrived and we were ready to battle. Even though we
were outmanned and outgunned, I seem to recall a similar historical scenario where the Colonies came
out victorious! Kris was to play first against the amazingly talented Spike Willcocks. The anticipation of
the first match was not only eating away at as us but at head professional Matt Ronaldson as well, as it
was 10 minutes until our scheduled match time of 11AM and Spike was nowhere to be found. Under
strict rules, if Spike didn’t show up within a certain amount of time he would have to default the match.
The English team didn’t look terribly worried as they probably felt they could, in the worst case scenario,
afford to spot us a match and still win the contest fairly easily. Kris and I had to smile again thinking
about the possibility of reporting back to the States that we had split 1‐1 with England after the first
day! But any dreams were quickly vanquished as Spike arrived and was on court within the allotted
time.
Kris played well in his first match, albeit in blinding sunlight on the hazard end. The tournament
organizers passed out Jeu de Paume baseball caps when we first arrived and what I thought was just a
kind gesture was actually a survival tool as the sun shines brightly through the skylight onto the hazard
end in front of the grill and tambour from about 11AM‐1PM. Kris played steadily, trying not to make
any unforced errors and thus allowing Spike to win easy points. This tactic actually worked and Kris shot
out to an early lead (by winning the first game). Spike settled in quite quickly after that and it was clear
who was in charge. For every two steps Spike took, he would make Kris take ten. Kris was moving and
defending the best I had ever seen him and while he lost the match in straight sets, he did win many
compliments from the English side and Matt after the match saying that Kris played much better than
his handicap (click here for video highlights). It should be noted that Spike has been working on a
“railroad” return of service, where he takes his opponent’s railroad serve and hits what appears to be a
railroad forehand which curves into the side galleries! (click here to see)
Down one match, it was my turn to try to level matters. I had met my opponent, David Woodman, a
few months earlier in Tuxedo at the Gold Racquets. As it turned out, we were both billeted at the same
house so I got to know David a bit during our time there. I thought surely I could use this personal
knowledge to my advantage. For instance, I could subconsciously tip the scales in my favor by casually
inquiring on a changeover how much pressure he must feel having to “shoulder” the burden of victory
(knowing full well that he has a bad shoulder). Default by injury was the only plausible scenario if I was
to be victorious on this day I’m afraid and I almost took him out on one shot (click here to see). At the
end of day one, England was in the lead 2‐0 (click here for video highlights).