Grass courts open, so it rained

Despite heavy rain in the morning and an ominous forecast the grass court season got underway at Rye Lawn Tennis Club (RLTC) on Saturday afternoon. The mixed doubles tournament organised by club coach Frances Candy was very well supported. The club house was packed at 2pm while Frances re-organised order of play onto the hard courts while the grass dried out.

Keen players warmed up with a spot of table tennis and thirsty ones propped up the bar.

I had no playing partner when I entered the tournament, so I was very pleased to be introduced to my partner for the day, the talented 17 year old, Louis Duvoisin. From Louis’ perspective I am not sure he was quite so thrilled to be playing with a near quinquagenarian.

Making our way to the courts, dressed in customary whites, we were sorted into groups named after three of the four Grand Slams, our group, the French Open, starting play appropriately on the clay court. Each group contained seven pairs, each pair was to play five games against each of the other pairs in their group, the winners being the ones totalling the most amount of games won.

Clay leaves a distinct mark where the ball lands so there were not going to be any dodgy line calls, not that that sort of thing goes on at Rye of course.

Louis and I began moderately well, though there seemed to be fly trouble as one in the eye caused a double fault losing us that match. At four o’clock prompt it was time for tea, a delicious quintessentially English affair of crust-less cucumber sandwiches, homemade cake and scones. During tea the sun came out, Frances reorganised play and the remaining matches were played on the lovely grass courts which groundsman Adam has obviously worked very hard to achieve.

Changing ends at 1-2 down against Lelly and Richard James a convertible Mercedes arrived court side and out sprung an attractive German girl wanting a tennis ball. She read from a list some items she had that could be swapped for this ball. Unable to take one of the new tournament balls she was directed to the club house to try for one of the older ones. I don’t know what RLTC swapped for an old tennis ball in the end? [This is Rye, so probably the Mercedes – Ed.]

My best result was our 5-0 penultimate match against Libby Holmes and Peter Hooper due mainly to Louis’ vicious top spin serve which the opposition found difficult to deal with. The flies were not an issue in this match.

Playing only five games, a match can be over in the blink of eye so to win you needed good tactical play.

Established pairs like Fran Sharp and Jan Marsh had a great advantage, even though they played as a ladies pair (all other pairs being mixed), their alternate lobbing and volleying confused the opposition and they did very well, coming second in the group just behind the French Open’s overall winners, the formidable husband and wife team Ellie and Stephen Cochrane. Ellie secured a number of points against us passing me down the line repeatedly, much to the despair of my partner.

En route back to the club house, with play completed, a VW Camper van was reversing towards the courts, windows were wound down and two smiling Germans waved hello picked up a list . “vee are looking vor ze tennis ballz . . . ”

I still don’t know what we swapped. These young Germans are part of a touring group so look to your tennis balls or you might find someone wanting to swap something for them.

Photo: Sarah Nelson

Image Credits: Sarah Nelson .