Series 30 Tournament Summary
When I turned 30, the bones creaked, the feet slowed, and my vision became slightly impaired. Toroline TPTL Series 30 began in a similar manner. Still sorting the entry system coupled with an event in Hua Hin and auspicious arrival of Mr. Gary’s lovely daughter’s 16 birthday—which included a reunion with mom in Japan. Tumultuous would be an appropriate word.
One advantage of the Japan trip was a synchronization with Japan time so the 730 starts at Impact, felt like a 930 start. The disadvantage was the temperature of Thailand was a furnace unleashed. As I sat there watching matches, the hope for cooler weather trickled into my brain. As my mother told me, “Gary-be careful what you wish for.”
There was a surprise addition of another member to our staff—another Fang to complete our Quad Squad. Multiple no shows tarnished the morning rituals but by glory and all, we were on time. At 1 pm, the clock was slowing down. Men 3.5 saw Mr. Ting of our Quad Squad easily play his last match as a 3.5 as he handedly dominated along with Mr. Sone (not losing a game and thus losing the right to play 3.5). Mixed saw the return of Mr. Nut and Pam as they battled to glory only to low to Mom and Son, Moo and Yok. Leilani started out amazing in the Men 5.0 but Walter snuck in and stole one as Leilani 2-0 faced Walter 1-1—Walter prevailed and took the head-to-head tiebreaker—Champion Men 5.0. Men 3.0 saw the rise of Mr. Pingpong but his calf and forearm betrayed him as Ran and Cedric rose to the occasion. In the other Men 3.0, Kia took it and it fell Kia, Champ, Mek, then Tobias.
As the crew enjoyed the Cinco De Mayo atmosphere with burritos and contemplations of margaritas, an ominous cloud appeared and winked at us. Like a scorned woman, she pounced on us—and the heavens opened to pour water and vindication upon us. An interesting point about Impact, the court is definitely lower than the surrounding land. Combined with the saturation of the environment from a week of rain, our tournament turned into a pond. Then, a lake as the water deluged upon us. The roofs poured water like Niagara, our bold contestants sought shelter, solace, and sustenance as we waited five minutes for the rain to stop. It did, but the damage had been done. The issue wasn’t the rain; the situation was the failure of the water to recede and drain.
Amidst the panic, people turned to their hero, Mr. Gary. He promptly pronounced the delay as five minutes long. Five hours and 30 minutes, later play resumed. The staff diligently updated the chat group with updates every 30 minutes from 3 pm as the situation looked devastating. Mr. Steven predicted the start of play at 6:30 pm. With hearts renewed and people unfazed by the absurdity of fishing and surfing while we waited. The battles unfolded.
Tang continued his 4.0 domination with a singles and double crown. Darut put up a much-improved fight, but alas, the Tang was just too spicy today. JJ battled Brent as Yok and Gabriel fell victim to time and cold weather—they played twice but JJ prevailed in both matches. JJ— “Gary, I only played one match.”
“Ok play Brent again but if you split, you play a super tiebreaker. (that’s called sportsmanship allowing Brent a second chance, but Popo failed to capitalize)
Men’s Doubles became the Royal Rumble as teams were cast along the wayside—ousted from the circle of life. Men’s Doubles 4.5 went to the Mighty Mites—Clara and Alicia (they got ITF junior rankings and spit fire and eat nails for breakfast. True, Alicia is like two feet tall and has a waist like my hand, but she is also left-handed and fearless winning two tiebreakers—one over Dream and Drew and the other over Mr. Gary and Leilani (WTF)). Men 4.0 saw Tang and Bomb blow up their opposition Boom/Boss while in the other Men’s 4.0, a three-way tie went to a count Nut/Bobby +5, Karn/Pokpa +3, and Mix/Pagon +2 so the Champions were the rising phoenix of Nut/Bobby. The mixed saw the return of Drew/Achara Champs with Vee/Pup second while 3.5 saw the rise of Jini Eak and Jit/Nin. Great took home his 4.5 Championship over the newbie Park–
“Gary—5.0 next time!”
The women were led by newcomers Pam and Por while the Men 5.0 saw the Shane take it over Ben. Men 5.5 saw Bryan rise up while Pon vindicated his new positioning. Men 4.0 saw Karn take it while Sunny squeaked out a games count. Sunny was 1-2 with a game count +4, Wee was 1-2 -4, -2, and +1 so -5. Jain was 1-2 with -2, +2, -4 so -2
As the Witching Hour hit, the players gathered together for a photo. Not a complaint and not a whimper, just laughter and high energy. As the darkness dimmed and Pon couldn’t get his car to start, a moment occurred.
“Gary, you do a good job with this monthly tournament”
“Pon—thanks bro.”
“No really Gary, you do a good thing. Thank you. I appreciate it.”
As the weary muscles from 5 doubles and an early start began to crinkle in the wee hours, Mr. Gary packed his car. Yeah, we did do some amazing things today.
There was an inflection point in the evening as the matches progressed and the clocked whispered 10 pm. The team gathered with 24 matches left.
Mr. Gary lamented, “It’s not working. Reduced format and it’s not working.”
Duke ever so quiet, “What do you want to do?”
“Super Tiebreakers.” But and like anything in life, everyone has one. Some people haven’t even started their categories.
Tournament meeting and let the people vote—4 ball serve warm up and play 4 games or Super, the consensus went to 4 ball serve and play 4 games. It wasn’t fast but it was fair.
The Toroline Thailand Premier Tennis League at its heart is a tournament of people, an Ohana. Ohana means family and no one plays alone. We try to be fair and fun because tennis is just a game and games are meant to be fun.
Series 30 you were a nasty lil __ but Series 31 June 21—here we go!
Special thanks to our diligent support staff from Impact tennis Academy—Boy, Nuey, and the custodians. Thank you to Mr. Steve Koons for letting his kids come in and dominate us. Thank you to Mr. Duke, Mrs. Nalin, Bryan, Dream, Drew, Fang 1, Fang 2, Yana, and Ting for being so important to the functioning of our event.
Thank you to all participants for your kind words and support. WE LOVE YOU.
