The match which counted
It was match-day in my society with the Yearly Games commencing. The games, usually held between March and May, consisted of a variety of sports, according to age groups. Theses games, held only for the second time this year, had gained huge recognition throughout the complex and was to be held in a even more competitive manner thistime, to encourage the participants to put out their best performance, at the right time.
The previous year, my dad amassed tremendous fame, in the field of table tennis. his top-spin was one to behold. It became pretty regular to hear, "Did you see his match?", or "What a player he is!". In red-hot form, he cruised passed his opponenets, ending matches with ease. No tough fights were shown, with domination of one over his opponent. Although this winning streak was broken by a 18 year old, in the finals, he had lots to get out of this successful campaign, and more to look ahead to.
Having a successful previous year under his belt, he was perhaps motivated more than over-confident to follow it up with some silverware this time. But table tennis is one such game in which the racquet holds an equal, if not more, importance to emerge victorious. The previous year, my dad played with a racquet having nothing in store, but just two pieces of rubber on either side. Even with such a pitiful racquet to support him.
Unfortunately, or maybe due to prolonged procastination, the racquet refused to give any spin into the ball, and turned into just wood. This, he realised when the tournament had started and his first round match had begun. During practice, he showed signs of uneasiness, and his shots hit the net often. He blamed the net at first, but subsequently realised that his racquet was at fault. His first match, against a pretty normal, defensive minded opponent, was given away. He fought hard but his shhots just wouldn't get to the other side of the net. Even high bouncing balls, the easiest of the lot to return, would either go out of the court, or bounce a couple of times in his own side, after hitting the racquet, and stop at the net. His top spins, his weapon in time of need, did not work. The game, although close, was far from reach. With erratic strokes, no spin and unforced errors, the match was taken away. The first seed of the tournament was knocked out in the first round. People questioned him about his surprise defeatto an unseeded player, but being the gracious type, he said that the opponent outplayed him. He congratulated his opponent, saying and I quote," The better player won".
The match, all in all was pretty one sided, but on the bright side, a better racquet may mean more to look forward to in the years to come.
