of a long and arduous journey. 6 years it has been since i first picked up the racquet. Lost today, probably the last competitive tennis match I would ever play. Lost 3-2 to ACS (international). Turned out that my match was the decider and I lost it at tie break. Despite the scumminess of the cheating and underhand tactics employed by both sides, I played. Perhaps not the best, but was my better form in a long time. For the first time I was shaking, not in fear but in excitement. Yet didn't quite perform as well as possible. Double faulted a whole game away. Screwed several returns. From 8-7 up to tie break. Damn shitty feeling lah. Broke down for the first time since when my father passed away. Felt so shitty words just couldn't come out for 20minutes.
Sorry to everyone in the team. I know we could have won and entered 2nd round for the first time in 7 years. My match was the closest and most possible to win but we gave it away.
But amazingly the sadness was only there for awhile. Encouragement, consolation and cheers came. Then I realised, "Sure it is shitty to lose at tie break for a decider in a decider match up. But looking around at the team, I am grateful and happy to be part of this team." We may not be the best, but we are definitely the most harmonious. Thank you all from tennis, Yuming, Leonard, Samuel, Yien who have been with me for 6 years already. Nigel, Brian, Jeremy, Woankeng for 5 years not forgetting Darrell with your more useful than coach by 1 million times advice. Cunbin, and last but definitely not the least Justin. I will definitely remember the days we train till the sun sets, play for 7 hours, wake up at 7 each saturday to train. Thank you guys, and once again am deeply sorry for letting you guys down at the last moment. Truly sorry.
Now that I got that out of the way... fuck, acs international had the shittiest home audience ever. They jeer during points, call us farmers (totally dunno why when half their team are viets) and verbally abuse our players. We were all saying during the post match bonding session that we would definitely have won at home ground. But what's done is done.
HC 2-3 ACS(international)
9-4, 6-9, 9-3, 8-9(7-1), 7-9
I think all of us played well despite the result. Especially the winners obviously, Darrell, Jeremy and Brian. Yuming(one of the many, "Suck on this!" and owned your opponent with the lob) and Justin (who yelled "shut the fuck up" to the audience who chanted "double fault" and aced them clean with your second serve) who under pressure was able to fight back and own them. I am proud to be in this team and the only regret I have is letting you guys down at the crucial moment.
Hwachong! Ah- HU!
Good luck to the rest of the HC sports... and if you do meet ACS(international) during your competitions, crush them without mercy.
posted by `-ryoken # 11:02 PM
