Cut-throat Fun

Laurence Stephen Lowry

The Tennis Player

1927

I played singles tennis this morning with a friend.  We hadn't played together in a few years, not because we weren't wanting to, but because it became a conversation instead of committing to a day and time, you know, "Yes, I'd love to play."  "Maybe sometime next week." "Definitely, soon."  "Can't wait."  And then it's the end of the summer.  Oops.  Well, we did it today, we committed, and it was so fun!  So fun that we set a date for next week, same time, same day.  Can't wait.

Max Liebermann

Tennis Game by the Sea

1901

We both agreed that it's easy to forget that there's something special about playing singles - and it's so easy to get sucked into playing doubles, I think because more people play doubles and there are just more doubles games going on.  But singles, for me, leaves me feeling more satisfied on many levels:  I love the personal, physical, and mental challenge; I like hitting lots of balls; the competition; it involves strategy and tactics, forethought and planning, but at the same time just reaction; and the competition.  Did I say that already?

Andre Lhote

Tennis Players 

1912

All the while moving your feet, keeping your eye on the ball, following through, breathing, anticipating . . . laughing, swearing . . .

This is me.

(Associated Press)

This is my opponent.

(Getty Images)

Today was great.  It wasn't so much about winning or losing, yeah, right.  So, OK, she beat me in the first set, but I was leading by two games in the second set when we had to stop (other people were signed up for the court).  To be continued next week.

Me.

(Associated Press)

Her.

(Getty Images)

Another friend, who was watching us, stopped us on our way off the court.  He asked, smiling wryly, "So, was that fun?"  "Ye-ah, it was fun."  "Uh huh, cut-throat fun," he said.

"Yup, cut-throat fun."