It was another hot and muggy day in Palm Beach Gardens…so hot that the heat rule had to be implemented and play stopped for an hour. There were several retirements, at least two players ended up in the hospital, and as I left Mirasol CC today (where I was watching Susan Wright…she won), there were 2 or 3 ambulances headed toward the club.
Shannon Carney had the longest match perhaps…she won 67 62 60 but four hours in it was a set apiece, and at that time, around 2:30, play stopped at all three venues as the heat rule was implemented (something to do with the wet bulb temperature exceeding a certain number, combining ambient temperature and humidity)…and it was basically too hot to play.
Gillian Brook lost to Wanda Howes in 3 set in the W65 and then lost consciousness just after (off to the hospital for IVs); a Canadian player’s heart stopped more than once and I heard he was in surgery (🙏); Jenny Cerff (vs Pat Babcock) and Michelle Hill (playing Lori Robertson from USA) both had to stop play due to the heat and not feeling well); and there were some other retirements sprinkled around. Brook actually got back on the court for mixed with John Lloyd against Hill and Bruce Ferguson but Hill/Ferguson retired up a set and down 4/2.
Susan Wright played Leanne Swaysland, and won 62 61…tougher than the score though as Leanne is a tricky lefty (and combined with Ros Balodis to win the Cup on Friday in doubles over Susan and Ros Nideffer). Erin Boynton got past Terri Thyssen 2,4. Marcela Voyame (ARG) beat #8 seed Jeannie Maceachern 60 60 in the 65s (and plays Shannon Carney next…could be another marathon).
Susan and Pat Medrado beat Carney/Thyssen, finishing at 8:30…Susan plays next at 8am! Update: they changed it to 9am (and also scheduled Shannon at 8am…)
Jenny Klitch and Gayle Prejean had an interesting doubles against a Brazilian pair, Simone Vasconcellos and her partner…they won 63 76 (5) and were up 61 in the tiebreak; the match had everything…a loud Brazilian crowd, scoring disputes resolved by a coin toss, a 6-1 lead narrowing to 65 in the tiebreak, balls slammed and hitting opponents (without consequences)…masters tennis players can get feisty!
Meanwhile, I practiced for a couple of hours, went to the grocery store and went home to do some exercises, stretch and relax and had a nice dinner with Jenny Rens Keller and Adam Keller. But I play at 10:30 and 2pm tomorrow, singles and doubles, at Palm Beach Gardens Tennis Center.
cute duo in the photo….a Mixed team for USA? names?
When are the ITF mixed for older groups being held ? where?
All the divisions will be in Bol, Croatia in October
Unfortunately, you were not a witness of the Brazilian vs. USA doubles match. My “noisy” fans/friends/students were not all Brazilians. There were numerous Americans and Canadians in the crowd including my tennis students. There are two sides to every story.
I meant a noisy pro-Brazilian crowd. I should have written that a bit more clearly. I meant no offense. I’m rather envious of how many people come to support you and love your tennis. Too bad today about your loss but fantastic effort to reach the final of the worlds. See you in Mt Tremblant.