“We are hunters.
Voices strong, slaying demons with our song.
Fix the world, make it right—when darkness meets the light.”
One thing I find to be amazing and fun is convincing a student who is academic to try to play tennis. First is the tease. You want to go through high school just doing school? Ten years from now, what do you think you will remember? My class? The electron configurations? If you play tennis, IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE?
“Teacher Gary. You’re crazy.”
Then I go into the speech. It’s epic. First it starts like this.
“Name a sport where men and women compete against each other? (shh it’s called Mixed Doubles. And pretty much any racquet sports.) It’s not football, basketball, soccer,
What is the lifespan of a football player, basketball player, soccer player etc ? And there is a limit to most sports–you just can’t play basketball in your 20’s if you’re a normal person. Football it’s called flag football. Baseball, it’s called softball. But tennis, my personal goal is play 90 and over.
Course, the reason my tennis team in Hawaii was 45 strong… We fund raise and have a LEGENDARY party at the end of the year–a banquet–FREE. One thing about new teachers, they give you a million jobs. They made me -class advisor class of 2000. The bonus I learned how to throw a banquet-a Prom so our Tennis Banquet had a professional photographer, bids, centerpieces, buffet dinner, and professional deejay and one rule, what happens at this banquet is to never be spoken about. (Nothing happens, but it makes it sound so elite. Never any alcohol or drugs. We gave awards for Best Forehand, Best Backhand, Most Valuable Player, Best Sportsmanship, and Captains give speeches. Amazing times.
Then, they sign up and lives are never the same.
For my lessons, I do the same thing. You need to play tournaments. It’s just the next step in the development of players.
For tennis players in our tournaments, it’s about challenges. Life is about change—confronting fears, facing difficulties, and using them to grow. Some challenges come easy, others test us deeply, but all of them push us forward into new adventures.
That’s what I loved about K-Pop Demon Hunters: people on a mission to save the world. In many ways, I see tennis the same way. What we do on court reflects how we live our lives. We are players, yes—but also warriors, using tennis to make the world a better place. And sometimes we are role models and sometimes examples.
The other day, my daughter asked me, “What are you talking about, Poppa?”
I laughed and told her, “If you can play a tennis match in front of 50 people, can’t you play one in front of 200? 500? And if you can do that, can’t you also stand up and give a presentation in front of 50 people?”
She shook her head and said, “Poppa, you’re crazy sometimes.”
Every player in our tournament is a predator, a hunter. Seeking a quest to become the best they can be. True for some, they might start as trophy hunters–I want a trophy to show how good I am–it’s a phase but after 42 years I still love taking a photo with a trophy and I have had a few. Then, you want to challenge yourself–complete yourself–make yourself as best as you can be–evolution in action. For to be truly great, you have to be complete-no weaknesses or strengths to compensate and cover them. Last Saturday was an example of hunter and hunted.
As the rains fell and adversity struck, I realized something powerful. No one complained. No one was upset. Everyone simply accepted it. That—living in the moment—is the essence of tennis. We don’t dwell on the last point. We don’t rush ahead to the next one. We focus on the ball in front of us, the moment we’re in. Emotional control. There is no greater freedom than the moment I step on a tennis court. No taxes, bills, life, girlfriend (oh wait, sorry babe, I think of you all the time.) The moment. For some the moment is fleeting and for others, the moment represents an hour of training, a day, a week, and a lifetime.
And that’s what makes tennis not just a sport, but a way of life.
The 730 rounds saw the Dawn Patrol arrive. The return of Filipa and Totoh who has been missing forever. Thank you to Khun Totoh who is our sponsor from Centra by Centara Hotel Bangkok Phra Nakhon for her vouchers for our league Champions! We welcome our newcomer Khun Voracha and our perennial Nabthong. Great battles. Quote to bring a smile to my face.
“I finally won a match. “ Filipa because perseverance is the key to success. Plus we love her and miss her daughter and her husband. The women saw a winner without me being present I assume it was the NAB 😀
The 4.0 men came out firing with Ice, Max, Beep, and Poom. Mr. Beep using his stylish beguiling game and avoiding injury won while second was Max. The mighty Brighton has arrive and Por saw his last 3.5 match. Brighton is the son of Khun Joe and has become an Amazing PLAYER–be aware and warned, the kid is a SIlent Assassin. Good job Dream and Drew-kid got some weapons now and he smiles when I talk to him. Kao joined from his home country of Singapore and Job made his debut. Por was just a bit too much but Brighton handled himself well.
Mixed 4.0 saw the arrival of Dom and Isabelle–I do believe a Double Lefty Team. and Dream being nice but being Dream taking down the competition. Men Doubles 3.5 brought in Kaeng/Kenny of PTC, the brilliant team of Don and Dr. Tar, Leng/Nut, and Balloon/Boom of PTC. Great battles.
Men 5.5 saw the arrival of Akira vs the returnees Walter (fresh off a vacation in Europe–playing only one category), Bank SUPERMAN, and Wonder Woman Leilani–but Akira is legit and took them all down with Walter bringing up number two. Men 4.5 A brought in Boss of PTC–the Big Dog, Terng, Tuck and M. I do believe the Boss prevailed over Terng.
“Gary, I think I have to withdraw for Saturday.” Leilani messaged.
“See you Saturday.” Noi messaged.
What?! I thought.
Leilani lost a close three setter at LTAT then drove over to face Bank–an hour later, it was Bank victorious in a 10-8 tiebreaker. Then, she battled Akira depleted–this was set 5.
As she walked off the court, “You ready for doubles Lei?” Gary asked.
“Sure.” Leilani said as she played amazing against Pomme/Be. Then she battled Walter and got like ten minutes to rest before playing Boss/Son. Irony vs Drew/Na she played great and her crap partner missed a backhand putaway on deuce at 1–0 and it was 2-0. Then, serving 0-3, same partner didn’t put the ball away at DEUCE AGAIN. Then, it was 0-5 and Drew/Na felt bad so they let Gary/Leilani win some games–oh yeah, Gary missed those shots …sigh
The 5.0 saw Poppa Knot–congrats for your baby!, Great he of the work ethic and trash talking mouth, Mr. Theerasak–a true gentleman, and Duke–words can’t describe him. Knot took him the trophy over Great.
“Duke are you healthy?”
“I got this.”
“Duke that wasn’t the question.” Gary said.
“I got this Gary.”
AS his knee was swelling as he sat there, “Gary, I think I shouldn’t play that last match.”
“Oh you want to be able to walk normally when you’re 50. Ok”
Women 3.0 saw Gift, Oh, Butrsarin, and Pin with Pin running away with it while Boom, Sunny, Kris, and Guy battled through the Men 4.5 – Injury depleted the other group as Napat won over Toon. Men Doubles 4.5 saw the return of a tiebreaker between Gary/Leilani and Pomme/Be–as Gary proceeded to miss 7 overheads and 4 volleys–”NO. I am not tired at all.” Gary claimed but perhaps he was a bit drained. Drew and Na handed them a stout 6-1 loss and Boss/Son gave their effort but Boss said next tournament–He will be champion.
Boss exclaimed, “Bro, I am coming back and winning the Men 4.5 Doubles.”
Gary scoffed. “ You know I play the Men 4.5 Doubles…”
Boss said, “Yes, I do.”
Gauntlet thrown–Gary is training now.
Next tournament Men Doubles 4.5 -Gary/Leilani, Boss/Son, Sam/Xan, and Kla/Wan –October 18. We plan to live stream that match on www.youtube.com/hi10spro
Men 5.0 b saw Dom reassert himself Champion over Phupha. Tetta dominated the 5.5 over Shane and Bank. While the Mixed 3.5 saw Kong/View, Pao/Por, Nanny/Ake and First/Jas doing what they do. Nalin/Achara won the WD 3.5 over Pin/Totoh and Toey/June. Men 5.0 saw Poom over High with Sora and Pas battling. Q faced the legion of March and his fans, Best, and Nick. The Md 3.5 saw Back/Bank and Medison/Tah taking out Boat/Sharp and Brighton/Joe. Boom/Vee won over Krit/Tanakit while Arm/Boon and newcomer Trang/Pieter entered the fray. Toey won out over Sirinut and Banana as Isabelle had to go home. Korn and Sea won the Men 4.0 b over Nat and Chaing while Pao took Second over Junko in the Men 3.5. Aon won out over Prin in the final Men 4.0 bracket. The final matches were Boss/Kong of PTC winning out over First/Palm.
As the lights were flipped out, Boss, Kaeng, Son, and PTC with me drinking beers enjoying the last few double matches. Boss –coming next tournament Gary we will be Champions. That song going through my head
“We are hunters.
Voices strong, slaying demons with our song.
Fix the world, make it right—when darkness meets the light.”
Wow. Am I the hunted? Nah…
The BTY Ohana came to play–two rain delays totally four hours didn’t faze them. Food and drinks and everyone merry–just another day at the tennis court. And these are things you will remember forever.