![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
![]() |
Tennis a hit on Stickney Courts See Tennis
Singles and Doubles Results at
Thwack, thwack, thwack. Tennis balls make an incredibly
distinctive sound. The air around the Stickney Center Varsity Courts of
Ohio State, thankfully clear of rain, echoes subtly with those very thwacks.
As you sit there, though, you hear so many that the sound falls from your
attention, fading into the background. Tennis is organized into a single elimination tournament, and here in
the early stages, the pool of players is still quite large. All around,
games are running simultaneously, the flurry of activity making it hard
to pick out any single thing from the chaotic background. The players
seem to be, perhaps, more generally athletic than in other events, presumably
because facing another player on the court requiring a measure of confidence
through skill. Make no mistake, being here is nice, and the atmosphere
is nothing if not genial, but the competitive spirit is really showing,
and winning, while not everything, is certainly what the players have
come here to do. In the stands, family and friends gather to watch, and cheer. And as each round passes, the competition gets stiffer, each opponent more challenging. The players tire as the afternoon goes on, and sometimes elimination can offer a much needed break. But the spirit of tennis and sportsmanship is out in spades and everyone can be proud of this hard played and well fought contest. AUDIO: Hear Randy Ward of Syracuse read his
wonderful poetry.
|