Breaking news: Richwoods girls defeat Central girls in tennis 108-1, East Peoria girls beat Central girls in tennis, 108-19.
The tennis coaches at Central and Manual, I haven't seen a Manual score yet this season so maybe the aren't fielding a team or reporting the scores, get well paid for coaching and this pay adds to their pensions. They need to know very little about the game or to have ever played a competitive match and do not have degrees in Physical Education.
Then how do they get these paying jobs? They usually volunteer. The kids get bus rides around Central Illinois and time off from the classrooms and attending practice is usually not a requirement.
On the National scene, the Bryan brothers from the United States made in into the doubles finals of the U.S. Open today before what appeared to be a sold out crowd in New York. Doubles matches in the past have drawn very little coverage from the media who are more impressed by 135 mile an hour serves by singles specialists. Full houses are quite unusual for doubles but spectators are beginning to see it more exciting to watch than singles. Having played tennis for 30 years and having won over 250 awards, I have learned to appreciate the skills and techniques of doubles tennis over the power of the single players.
In singles, most of the ranked players hold serve because of the power generated by ever increasing racket technology so most sets are decided by tie-breakers or by one break of serve.
Interest in tennis is lagging in Peoria. Why, lack of qualified coaches who belong to the teachers union, lack of outstanding coaches in the area and a genuine lack of interest by the park district.
Too bad. Tennis is a lifelong sport. I intend to keep playing into the nineties, not unusual for those of us born in the generation called the "best ever".
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