Today, Tuesday, the Presidents’ Cup matches began. It was still cold but not quite as cold and windy as yesterday!

The day didn’t get off the best start..I managed to lock my keys and racquets into the car around 10;30 (matches began 10 min away at 11)…and those of Tammy Simone and Leora Grimshaw. AAA came to the rescue, arriving just after 11 and we got to the club before 11:30. Leora and I had a short warm up then began our matches. Leora won against I think Chantal and I lost to Betty Michel (Betty even said I didn’t play well!) but Betty played very well…few errors, lots of winners and she hit every line and net cord!

I was switched from playing with Leora to playing with Tammy (Erika has come down with a bug and could not play, so Leora had to play two singles matches). We played Marie Lars (to whom Tammy lost in singles) and Caroline Glazmann (against whom I will play tomorrow). We had a good match, nearly two hours and won, to tie the match at 6-6. We finished oddly under the lights with the sun in our eyes from the south side of the court. Winter sun is difficult, at such a low angle, though better here than in San Diego.

After a quick respite at the hotel, we returned to the club for cocktails (well…we missed the cocktails) and dinner, and speeches. Bruce Lipka, the men’s captain was presented with a French IC tie and invited to become an honorary member of their IC by Patrice (the French IC president) and Erika Smith invited Caroline Glazmann to become a member of the USIC and presented her with a USIC scarf and jacket. There was also a moving video of the USIC philanthropy project in Rwanda, introducing hundreds of kids to tennis and supplying them with shoes, racquets and teaching.

The Presidents’ Cup finishes tomorrow with 11am matches followed by doubles/mixed. many people will go to listen to jazz after.

Interesting that the French brought many more women than did the USA though illness hasn’t helped.