In the world of tennis, there battle and there are wars. The history between the Mad Duke and the Gary Sakuma Experience is long and sordid. From early victories by Duke in three sets twice to two victories by the GSE (The Gary Sakuma Experience—so named in Samui because it’s an experience to play Gary). The ever strategist, the GSE, had a tricky formula to play the Mad Duke—simple yet complex involving numerous twists and turns of the game, the angles, and the short court while the Duke continued his pummeling style. Fresh off a victory at the prestigious Olympian Tennis Summit Universe as the Champion of the Mighty 3.0 Category.
“Hey Gary, can you play for me TSU?”
“Sure “He Who Should Not be Named?” but what level?”
“Gary it’s 3.0”
“Voldemort…. They won’t let me play that low. (thinking if they do that’s kind of insulting.)
“Gary, they said yes.”
“Oh, you mean they said I suck…” And the rest is history as GSE unleashed his lethal barrage winning five matches and the final 6-0 over someone who barely beat one of the 4.5’s in TPTL Tournaments along the way, he battled a truly great TPTL player and beat him also.
Mad Duke suffered an adductor injury and should be resting for one month but nonetheless was not perturbed.
He dropped the gauntlet in Gary’s face—outdoor at Siripot Tennis Courts 2.
Gary considered it as training and laughed at the idea of a slightly faster surface, but in reality, the GSE was confident and did want to lose weight.
To Siripot with its straight lines and even surface, they battle in the cool shade of 36 degrees. With a bit of lethargy in the legs of the GSE, Mad Duke pounced and took the first set 6-3 as they streamed it live.
THE GSE unleashed the whole dimension of his attack with his powerful dropshots and pounding lobs, he attacked. The Mad Duke was like WTH. In a crucial point at 2-3, the Mad Duke pushed the crosscourt to the backhand where GSE lunged to get I back short, as the Duke slammed the down the line finish, the GSE guessing correctly powered a lob over the outstretched backhand of the Duke, but combined with the sun and the awkward angle he came in on, he staggered backward luckily breaking his fall with his butt as he tumbled to the court. The only sound was the sound of the GSE laughing followed by an “Are you alright?” and more laughing. The Mad Duke was unflustered and undamaged.
For the video go to: https://youtu.be/aKBeBJ1Ry14
The match slowed to a crawl and the temperature pushed up. Energy levels were draining and ice chips and wet towels were not helping the GSE. The turning point came on the changeover at 3-4. With a quiet ping on his phone, a message.
“Hey Babe, how is your match going.” The text read.
The GSE quickly sent the link.
“What is this? Oh, you’re playing someone. Good luck. Thank you for the link.”
The GSE’s legendary G-Babe is going to watch him play for the first time. Gary was like well that means I can’t lose now. The GSE unleashed his Serve and Volley game and coming to net, Chipping and Charging. Throughout the match, he had held back the energy output and thought, it wasn’t the ideal strategy, but when your girl watches you play for the firs time, you can’t be dropshotting and slicing. The shift in strategy caught the Mad Duke by surprise.
“Why didn’t you play like this before?”
Gary thought because you like pace… and I chose to.
The renewed vigor and ferociousness of the attack as the temperature hit 37 and 1130 am brought a quick end to the set.
“Let’s play a full third set.” Duke demanded.
“Let’s not and say we did.” Gary replied. Actually, he said no.
The tiebreaker was tense and close with the Mad Duke pulling away 6-3, but the GSE went back to his guile and skill bringing things to a heated 8-8 score. But with an error, faced 8-9 on his serve.
We are going to serve backhand body, make Duke hit a backhand by his left knee, serve and volley taking away the cross court, so he will try go down the line and pull it out. Gary Thought as he tossed the ball, “Perfect” The sweet impact and sound had the right spin and pace, he followed it. The Mad Duke swung at it seeing the down the line hole. Gary lunged fruitlessly as the Mad Duke’s passing shot landed.
“CALL IT OUT GARY!” His bad side screamed. But the balled landed square on the line. Match. Dejected, the GSE said, “Great shot.” And walked to shake hands.
The Mad Duke started screaming as he is wont to do but it was a solid shot and a great match. No matter what happens, there will always be the video of the Mad Duke falling on www.youtube.com/hi10spro please subscribe today.
Ohana means family and no one plays alone.