You don't need huge thumping shots that drive down the line. Main thing is 2 put the ball in. One more ball in the court, one more chance for a point.

Also, you nid d confidence there. Coz with confidence, your firm grip, your follow through, etc all falls into place nicely. Fearless! :P (taylor's suddenly became everyone's best fwen now xD)

Music definitely helped me calmed my nerves and build up my confidence prior to the match. ;)

Oh but confidence has loopholes. You muz know how much is not 'over-confidence'. Also, confidence doesn't mean you try shots that are too ambitious and not within your ability. Unless you're winning by a mile. :P Stick to your principles of keeping the ball in. That's more important. 80% consistency, 20% skill. (right now, 80%'s enough. ;))

Then there's also the determination there. In a match, it's all about how much you wan those points. I can say I wanted d 3 points more than my opponent, coz I kept telling myself that during the match. :P

Yay I won 1st round singles 9-5 on my 1st time taking part (in singles). Not very convincingly. I broke my opponent's service game twice, then I allowed him 2 break back twice. Still, enuf 2 make it, by breaking another 2 more of his service game. :D

Oh and I muz applaud myself for not being affected by what happened before my singles match. The man in charge of the draws for the day asked me to go call my opponent, which obviously I went so as to get my match settled. Feeling pumped up. :P After calling him and we both made our way to the in-charge man. Anyone with a brain would know that I'm the one without a bag, so I have 2 go get it 1st. Pearce and Brian were taking care of it for me (thanks btw), so of course we'll do a mini-chat and good luck fisting. Then this in-charge go start the briefing without me. -.- When I did went over, I went "huh? what did I miss?", and this in-charge tell me "well, you wanna have your fun with your friends juz now, so don't blame me for you not hearing what I said." >.<

WTH lar! Can't wait a bit more ar? People do you favour of walking 2 call opponent leh, can't even be a bit more gracious a host to wait ar? Some people are juz impatient. I totally heck care him after that. I take it on account that you're coach's friend, then I don't take this incident to heart. If not, ...~stern stares~ (like trying 2 scare a little kitten seh XD)

Back to my tennis, I still don't feel my 1st serve being up 2 the mark yet. Working on it. ;)

Strokes are getting much much MUCH BETTER. And after my match, we went 2 SPGG to 'train' and juz practise. I muz say,

I'VE NEVER PLAYED ANY BETTER IN MY LIFE!!!

That felt reli nice 2 say. A great sense of achievement. :D I followed through, I focused, I gripped firmly. I even kept my feet as rooted to the ground as possible, so that I can allow my knees to bend and spin those low shots. I cannot ask for more from myself, 2 b honest.

Thank you to myself.

Seriously, if I can keep this consistent, I might juz stay on in the competition fr a little longer than I expected. ;)

And I think I will.

One match, one game, one point at a time! :D :D :D

Good luck 2 myself for my 2nd round singles and doubles tmr. :D

Living the moment,

Aloovi the Alv :D

Exorcise the demon, that is living up inside you

After, all you think you've been through,

Try to get beside yourself, this tearing at your insides

If you, end up on the wrong side,

Sharpen up, your teeth, your dreams are more than worth defending

In a, fight that's never ending

Go on,

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