I started keeping a diary of sorts the night before this tournament began.  I wasn’t sure exactly what it would turn into, or if it would prove useful, other than being a way to take my memories of these past few days back home with me. 

Well, thanks to each one of you I met, each one I spoke with in depth or in passing and to each one of you I watched fight it out on the court, this is what it became: 

Yes, I work for USTA Georgia.  Yes, I am a tennis player and a tennis fan.  But believe it or not, this was my very first State League Championships.  In fact, it was my first time at any adult league tournament.  Really! 

At USTA Georgia I’m involved mostly with school tennis programs.  I work with PE teachers, school administrators and high school coaches.  Oh, I’ve attended (and enjoyed) my share of high school tournaments, but never adult leagues. 

I grew up playing tournaments and I was lucky enough to play for my college team.  (And we’re not going to mention just how long ago that was.)  Since college, every so often an offer will come my way to be a member of a USTA team.  I’ve always had secret concerns that I wouldn’t fit in because “league tennis might not be competitive enough.” 

Well, let me tell you what - I saw some serious competition going on out on those courts this past weekend!  There’s been just plain tough tennis, I saw displays of almost unbelievable fight and courage in cases of injury and fatigue, and there were a few incredible comebacks due to some extraordinary mental toughness. 

I was also concerned that league tennis might not be something I would have time for in my busy life.  Well again – we’ve got working moms, members of the military, multi-sport athletes, angels who are caring for sick family members and friends, and grandparents who fit tennis in between visits with numbers of grandchildren in the double digits.  Yeah, I think I can find the time. 

“If I join a team,” I wondered, “will the members support me in the things I do?  Will they be my friends?”  “Absolutely!”  I sure learned that this weekend!  It was rare to see someone walking around one of the sites alone.  These teams really stick together – through thick and thin.  And not just on the tennis court!  There are ladies taking care of one another’s families for all kinds of reasons, men whose time together on the court has led to iron-clad friendships which seem sure to last a lifetime, family members playing together on teams and those who count on each other for help in more ways than I could cram into my journal.     

It was wonderful to watch teammates surrounding the court of their “last team, or last player on.”  Never did I hear one of these teammates say, “I sure hope this ends soon, I’m hungry and my match is over.”  What I heard instead were words of support and encouragement, and sometimes some pretty loud cheering!  I think the most amazing thing I saw – something that will stick with me for a long time – was all of you who reveled in the joy of your teammate’s victory as if it were your own.  Even when you just walked off the court after a crushing defeat.  This especially touched me when that teammate’s victory didn’t mean a thing to your team in terms of overall scores.  Maybe your team had already won or lost that round, or maybe you knew you were so far out of contention these individual matches really didn’t matter anymore when it came to your overall standing. 

You’re all incredible!  You compete, you help, you support, and you display care and love that’s so often missing these days.  And that care – it’s not reserved just for your own team.  I saw team members doing all they could to help with injuries and problems encountered by their opponents.  Yes, definitely incredible! 

Oh yeah - and you all sure do know how to have some FUN! 

Wow!  USTA Adult League Tennis.  Sign me up!  (If you’ll have me.)  Now who is my Local League Coordinator…? 

One last confession:  I certainly didn’t get all this information up on this website by myself.  Nate Monie, USTA Georgia’s Director of Information Technology, has been working his fingers to the bone back in Atlanta.  Thank You Nate, and thanks to all of you who played your hearts out in Augusta, and who were so willing to share your stories with me.  I look forward to seeing you all next year. 


Robin Dawson