Kamat's Potpourri: My Tennis Career

My Tennis Career

First Online: September 26, 2009
Page Last Updated: February 17, 2024

I started playing the game of Tennis only accidentally. I threw a big party for my wife after she got a Ph.D. and at the party, one of the professor's son wanted someone to hit with him. So I went to Walmart, bought a racquet and started sneaking into a private tennis facility (I was not a member) behind my house. Soon after the professor's son got into Med. school and I was left with nobody to hit, and I started teaching the rules and techniques to my wife and we both became members at the Brook Highland Racquet Club in Birmingham.

I trace my Tennis playing seasons below -- in reverse chronological order.

2009

Played in the Men's B League, lost in the playoffs
Participated in the mid-season tournament and lost in the finals.
Since I don't get to play in my level, I let my USTA membership expire.
Now only playing social tennis -- Wed evenings and on the weekends. I enjoy playing mixed-doubles.

2008

Played in the Ben's B League. My team lost in the semifinals
With Jared Mattioli, won the 3rd court doubles in the mid-season tournament

2007

I have been bumped up to USTA 4.0 level. While it means that I am improving, I will get to play much less tennis.

2006

My game has substantially improved. If I can get fit, I am going to have a great season.
I captained a USTA 3.5 Men's team and we finished in third spot. I won 5 and lost 3. Also played on a 4.0 team and finished 1-1.

2005

I captained a USTA 7.5 combo team (one USTA 4.0 rated player plays with a 3.5 player) during Fall . We beat every team and finished in second place based on the number of sets lost. This was very exciting team, and we came really close to winning the championship.
I captained an unofficial fall B-league team. Never want to it again.
I played on the B team after many people complained that I was playing too well to be on a C -level team.

2004

Played on a USTA 7.0 Mixed Doubles team and we won the Birmingham City Championship.
Captained a Mixed Doubles team during Spring. Funny part was, my wife captained a competing Mixed Doubles team. It was fun, but having two teams weakened both teams.
Played on the BHRC C team and acted as a substitute for the B team

2003

Learnt some formal strokes, reduced my street tennis.
Captained Brook Highland C team for the entire year.
Finished Mixed Doubles season undefeated, paving way for upgrade in my rating to 3.5

2002

I signed up for a USTA Mixed Doubles League. Didn't know what I was doing.

1991

When my room-mate was away in Japan, I took his tennis racquet and tried to play some tennis on UAB's hard courts.