January 28 - Tennis

What can a partially sighted person get from “watching” a live tennis match? I am a tennis fan and also a partially sighted person so the question is one that I have often pondered. Lyle and I are both tennis enthusiasts. We follow most of the big major tournaments and we are familiar with the names of the top players. At one time we looked into purchasing tickets for one of the big tournaments, but the price of the tickets was quite high and we weren’t sure just what I would see and get out of it all. 

 

Well, as of this past weekend, I am now a little wiser. Our friend, Dave is also a tennis fan and he discovered a small tournament not too far from where we are staying. So, we packed our little cooler with some drinks and treats and set off to watch the men’s semi-finals.  It was great.

Lyle and I arrived early enough to secure a seat near the base line. We were in time for the US National Anthem, and to see the flurry of red and blue as the ball boys and linesmen took their places. From where we sat, I was able to see the closer server, although not the net or the opposing player. It was enough. I often follow a match on TV by simply listening. The gasps and intake of breath from the crowd frequently signal whether the shot has gone in or gone wide. I also listen to the sound of the ball on the racquet and can usually tell if the return has been good and clean.

When I interviewed Judy, a partially sighted golfer in Regina, I remember that she also remarked on this phenomenon. She said that when she heard the thunk of her club as it hit the golf ball off the tee, she could nearly always tell whether or not it was going to be a good shot or whether the ball was just going to drift off into the bushes.

So, what did I get from watching the live tennis match? First there was the atmosphere. Many of the spectators knew each other and I would venture that one hundred percent of them were tennis fans who were knowledgeable about the game. The pregame chatter was exciting and I was there in the midst of it. I could hear the thud of the balls on the players’ racquets, their cries of either jubilation or disappointment, the squeak of their shoes on the court. I could feel the breeze in my face, the sun on my shoulders and the firm seat of the bleachers.  Then to top it off, after the semi-final match, Lyle treated me to a delicious sloppy joe burger. Really, it couldn’t get much better than that.

I realize that up to this point, I could have written the last few posts on this blog from nearly anywhere, so to show you that we really are in Hawaii, I am going to add a photo that Lyle took from our balcony. For the past few mornings he has been out there watching some whales frolic around in the bay, but this picture is of a great sunset with a couple of palm trees in the foreground. It has been a great holiday for sure!