Hustled by a 10 Year Old!
 Last week I came upon a young boy who was alone and practicing serves at the local courts. Being a strong advocate of the game and wanting to help the USTA build interest in the sport among juniors I thought I would lend a helping hand.
"Hey kid. Would you like to hit some balls with me?" I asked.
"Wow, that would be great!" he responded. "Are you warm? Want to play some games?"
I wasn't warm, but figured I would warm up as we went. "Sure. Why not? Let's play."
"Wait a minute" he said. "I always play better when something's on the line. Let's play a match and I'll bet you my next 3 months of allowance that I can beat you. What are you willing to wager?"
"Son, I can't take your allowance from you."
He looked quizzically at me.
"It just wouldn't be fair," I explained. "I am much bigger than you and have played NCAA Division II tennis many years ago. Do you understand?"
"I understand completely, but I always play better with something on the line. So what are you willing to bet?"
More discussion ensued and the match was underway. As we began playing I realized I happened upon a tennis whiz kid who was hustling me. Every shot I hit he ran down as though it were coming off the slow red clay of Roland Garros. I kept waiting for errors and none were coming. More pace seemingly begetting more pace. More guile begetting more guile. More hustle begetting more hustle. Even my secret energy formula of Little Debbie Swiss Rolls and Gatorade, did not provide me with enough energy to vanquish this foe.
When all was said and done I could barely make it to my car, which thankfully I still owned or I wouldn't have made it home that evening. Meanwhile, Harrison, my young opponent, hopped on his bicycle and happily peddled home. I would have liked to have been there when he told his Mom and Dad, "Guess what? I am now minority owner of Guts and Glory Tennis, LLC."
John "15+ MPH on Every Serve" Youngblood is a part-time writer and humorist who wants to seriously congratulate his friend and neighbor, Harrison Kennedy, on his accomplishment of being ranked #1 in the state of Georgia in his age bracket for 2004. Way to go partner!
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