So how did you get your start?
When I was 12, I lived on a military installation in Germany. My housing unit was right next door to some tennis courts that belonged to the Junior High School. In March of that year, I started noticing a guy out playing on the courts by himself. He would spend hours rotating between serving and then hitting against the backboard. As my curiosity increased, I went from my bed room window to standing out side the fence. After a couple of days, he asked me if I wanted to learn. Eagerly I said yes. So he taught me a forehand, two-handed backhand and how to hit a flat serve. During our conversations I came to find out he was preparing for the qualies for the French Open. Unfortunately, I totally lost touch with him and never found out how he actually did. But the rest is as we say, is History.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mark T. on
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You know, I cannot remember. That is the sad part. I have always wondered how he did, if he ever tried again, or what. Pretty sad on my part, being taught by someone and then losing all contact. Kind of makes me a loser of sorts.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Dong on
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No, definitely not a loser of any sort Mark. I have forgotten many things from my childhood as well. Hmmm from Germany huh?!!! Now wouldn't that be crazy if this person had the last name Becker?! First name Boris? hahahha Now that's a cool story! What if......it WAS him?!!!!!
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Permalink Reply by CoachV - William Vazquez on -
NYC - City Parks Foundation Free Summer Tennis Program.
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Permalink Reply by Mark / The Mayor on
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Great story!
I was lucky in that my dad played tennis seriously. He didn't get me into it really until I was about 10 (which seems late these days). Dad is a good player and still plays 4.0 today, and turns 70 today actually! Happy birthday dad! And thanks for introducing me to tennis!
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So...it wasn't Boris Becker. It was an enlisted Air Force military guy. Hispanic descent. Great guy. It would have been cool to have been taught by BB. But no such luck.
Mr. Mayor, please do extend a Happy Birthday from me as well. And what a life time gift he gave to you. I hope you treat him well for that alone. ; )
Is there nobody else that has a great story of how their own passion for this sport began?
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Permalink Reply by Cordell on
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I only wish my skill level even remotely mocked the passion I have for the sport lol! I remember the first tennis match I watched was the '99 mixed double's quarters with v.williams/gimelstob vs. mcenroe/graf. Even as a kid, I've always been extremely impressed with women that can compete well in sports, ESPECIALLY when its a mixed event (bball, volleyball, etc). I'll never forget the venus backhand to mcenroe lefty forehand rally where venus hit a blazer past him! Something came on in my head and from that moment on I've loved the sport. In my household, basketball and football are generally the only things that are loved, so I was always alone in my love for the sport. My first "tennis" racket was actually a racketball racket lol. How was I supposed to know the difference at 10?? Well I learned to rally with it for a whole year before my friend and second father gave me a real racket. He also taught me how to play the game and the attitude involved. Winning isn't everything, and that was something that I was very used to doing in basketball (currently 6'9 lol). Its interesting that I always get sentimental when I have this discussion haha. I guess its cuz tennis really is more than just the sports, it becomes interweaved in your actual life. But yeah..I digress! But that was my start to the sport!!
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Permalink Reply by CoachV - William Vazquez on
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I played Gimelstobs Brother in a qualifier for a Challenger event at the Bronx Borough Classic. I lost it was back in the days before I developed into the player I am now.
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Awesome story Cordell. Thanks for sharing. Never know when that moment will occur do we? And you are absolutely correct about Tennis being woven into our actual lives. So much can be learned on the courts that can be transformed into normal day to day life. Fair play, honesty, positive attitude, the list goes on and on. Well done.
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Permalink Reply by John Spoerl on
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I was rallying from baseline to baseline when I was 4
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Word. I gott pictures
I also switched to my left hand when I was 17
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