Spraying Latic on Clay

Played my first tournament match on at the local Monty Tour series today.  The Monty Tour http://www.montytennis.com/ is a local series of tournaments in Catalonia (the region that Barcelona resides in. e.g. like how Bukit Merah is part of Tanjong Pagar district).  They have tournaments every other week.

I was drawn with #4, and from the get-go, I was genuinely struck by how beautiful her strokes were.  She was only 13, but had an astounding forehand and a fierce single-backhanded that simply looked like a replica of Justine Henin's.  I think I paid more attention to her follow-throughs than the ball.  

Still, I was pretty happy with how I played.  As my first full match played since I've come over, I pushed my opponent pretty hard.  I could see what her weaknesses were early into the match, and even though she had an insane top spin (average net clearance per rally was 2.5m, sometimes 3!) I managed to break her from the first game and continue the pressure persistently.  Worked up 4-2 40-30 in the first set, but eventually lost 4-6, 1-6.

The only thing that didn't hold was my fitness.  

Unsurprising considering my knee lay out, but also gratifying to know.  I know what I need to work on.

When I got back to my bungalows, I had to sort out my racquets (had burst one set of strings during the set).  Here I am examining the tape:  

As a rule, I like to clear my strings before I send them over to be wired up again.  This time, because I had protective tape on because of the clay, I had to tear it off.  I never realised how useful tapes were until I peeled it away...

flipped it,...and surprise surprise!!  Was astonished to see how the clay had 1) folded itself into the grooves of my racquet, and 2) sealed itself correspondingly onto the tape!

Here is the partnering mould... :)

Closer look.  Cool right??  Note also, the small tear in the tape.  There were actually a few across the head.  I would have never known I put so much stress on my racquet head had it not been for the tape.  Thank God for my "brudder", Ryan Lee (aka best stringer in Singapore) for it.

And so finally, racquet finally ready for restringing.  Well, almost.  Love colour in this picture.

I play my next Monty tournament next Monday.  Though today's session left me totally sloshed and boshed, I didn't have energy to go for afternoon practice.  Still, I'm looking forward to improving what I need to do, and am already psyched for the next match!