Remember those old TOYOTA TV commercials with the tagline:

OH WHAT A FEELING!!!!

Well, last night (May 20) I won perhaps my biggest match of my life because my opponent was a talented 20 year old kid from the Philippines and I am 63!!!!

This was the opening round of the prestigious Stacy Darling Memorial Day Classic.

The Stacy Darling Memorial Tennis Classic is one of the BIGGEST tennis tournaments of the year in Las Vegas.  It is staged at the Darling Tennis Center where the Professional Tennis Tournaments are scheduled.  The past two years the Tennis Channel Open was at the Darling Tennis Center.  The fabulous center court seats nearly 5,000 fans.

Yes, it was great to get the #1 seed.  However, that does not win you one point once the match starts.

I won the first set 6-4.

My excellent opponent Paul won the second set 7-5.

So after THREE HOURS (yes 3 hours!!!!) of match play, the l0 pointer was going to decide the WINNER.

I was exhausted guys.

Paul runs down every ball like a CHEETAH.  It was a long, methodical match.

Paul jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the l0 pointer.  We were switching sides and I really concentrated mentally on what I needed to accomplish.

Jason Swanson, the Director of Tennis for the Darling Center was courtside for the entire tie-breaker.  Jason was great.  I stayed truly focused when I was down 2-4.

I wound up winning the l0  point tie-breaker:  l0-5!!!!

So I reeled off 8 points while Jason got l point.

How cool is that!!!

On the final point, I let out a LOUD SCREAM that was deafening.  I was simply so tired, I was thrilled that the match had ended.

I’m playing Brian Schultz next.. (I'll let you know the outcome next week)

Let's see how much gas I have left in the tank????

Mentally and physically, this WIN was simply GIGANTIC for me.

I offer a standing O to my Italian Stallion blood brother the Pink E. Flamingo E.  He and I have played many PRACTICE l0-point tiebreakers, and it was Pink E. who truly taught me how to play the BREAKERS.

At 63 years YOUNG, I am happy to inspire and motivate you guys.

This match was a memory that I will truly treasure.

P.S. Another big WIN for me was at Sectionals in 2003.  I played a young 22 year old kid from the WYOMING team, and beat him in straights.  However, this match means more to me!!!