Tennis fandom is a gateway to Taoism
I became a tennis fan later in life. When I was a kid it was baseball, then it grew into basketball. I thought all sports operated similarly. A game is scheduled and on said day everyone shows up and watches it play out. With basketball this is almost 100% accurate. With baseball it might rain but even that doesn’t happen that often. It’s pretty certain that if you buy a ticket you’re going to see the teams listed play at a specific venue at a specific time.
Tennis is a bit different. With tennis, you don’t know who you’re going to see. It’s a tournament so nothing is predictable. You can’t cheat and depend on rankings to determine who will play, except for the first round, and you can’t depend on that until they’ve done the draw. The #1 can lose immediately. Nobody has a clue.
You can’t depend on weather (luckily indoor doesn’t have this issue). You can’t even depend on your favorites being healthy. At least with a team sport, if one or two guys are injured the show still goes on. With tennis, if a guy has a knee problem, you’re not going to see him. Anything can happen–and does.
This week is the SAP Open in San Jose, CA. After five years of tennis fandom I’ve changed my approach to attending this tournament. Last year I wanted to see Milos Raonic. That was dumb. Who knew how far he’d get and I only had tickets to the Final. Luckily, he won the whole tournament and it was the best match I ever saw live but I had no business getting attached to seeing him.
I’ve been trying to see Andy Roddick play that tournament for years. I’ve never even caught a glimpse of him. I used to sigh and kinda paw the ground like a frustrated horse stuck in a stall but now I shrug and think, “Maybe I’ll never see that hilarious, dry-witted Texan play. Oh well. Life goes on.”
I’ve wised up. By disappointing and surprising me so many times, tennis has helped me relax and just go with it. I yield. I let what will be, be.
I’ve been planning to go to the SAP Open tomorrow, Friday, for the quarter-finals. I have no idea who I’ll see. This time I’m looking at getting tickets through players. I decided that if they win, maybe I’ll go. If they don’t, maybe I won’t. Either way I’m going to make the most of my Friday.
One of the players lost in a heartbreaker in the first round. The other one is scheduled to play tonight, Thursday. It’s 100% up in the air what will happen and it’s cracking me up. Oh tennis, how you help us give up expectations and accept what is.
The supple reed
yields to the wind
and thus leaps back again
the empty bowl
is ready to be filled
the athlete expends energy
and thus expands strength.the wisdom of the tao
Orange County girl goes on insufferable date with former pro soccer player
When 27-year old Costa Mesa resident Melanie Chandler responded to a message on the dating website OKCupid she had no idea what she’d be getting herself into.
“He had a picture that was kind of hot and he said he was from Brazil and a pro soccer scout. Wouldn’t you be curious too?” Chandler asked.
Newport Sports Museum hosting benefit dinner featuring Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson
The Newport Sports Museum at Fashion Island in Newport Beach houses one of the world’s largest and 
most comprehensive game-used sports memoribilia collections. A trip there is a sports fan’s dream. Almost every sport is represented with jaw-dropping items like baseballs autographed by every World Series Championship team since 1940, footballs autographed by every Heisman Trophy recipient since 1935, the Miracle on Ice jersey and complete golf club sets from seven US Presidents. It’s almost too much to take in over just one trip.
Five Twitter accounts to follow if you love So Cal sports
1. Baron Davis, LA Clippers
Twitter handle: Baron_Davis
Great tweet: @the_real_Shaq & @the_real_nash I have a sick idea that would be hilarious… LOL hit me up
Why his Twitter account rocks: BoomDizzle is a prolific tweeter and a great entertainer, and he’s made LA his playground. He frequently tweets @ famous people but it doesn’t get much better than when he messes with Little Stevie. Seems like the step-brother thing really brought them together.
2. Pete Carroll, USC Footbal Coach
Twitter handle: PETECARROLL
Rachel
