“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. . . .”
Charles Dickens’s words are as relevant today as they were in 1859 when he wrote the first line of “A Tale of Two Cities.” In both our community and in the tennis world, this summer has seen exhilarating highs and excruciating lows. But through it all, we have all survived.
As the US Open continues through September 8, closing this Grand Slam and Olympic season, one can’t help but reflect on tennis’s best and worst times. First, the highs: Legendary Novak Djokovic struggled all season, but eventually blasted his way to an Olympic gold medal in singles, thus achieving his Golden Slam–at the age of 37. He defeated Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets, each with a tiebreaker. Go, Djoko!
Carlos wore the silver medal home. Not bad for a kid….
Alas, the lows: Rafael Nadal’s injuries and defeats in singles this season spiraled down with Olympic doubles defeats with fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. Coco Gauff, whose Tokyo Olympic dream ended before it began because of Covid, lost in singles, doubles and mixed doubles in Paris. Naomi Osaka struggled in all Grand Slam and Olympic events.
Here in Alto Lakes, we can celebrate our best times and be grateful for much—our beautiful new Outlaw Pavilion and Kokopelli’s scenic red courts (reminiscent of Roland Garros), both of which escaped fire and flood. Most of all, our best times involve friendships we’ve made across the net. We will celebrate these best of times Saturday, September 7, at 9am, at the Outlaw Courts for our last Grand Slam event, the ALTA US Open, and annual ALTA meeting. Refreshments, meeting, and fun mixed doubles play!
We also invite you to contribute to Food4Kids, a county-wide effort to provide nutritious food to schoolkids.
Please respond to Melissa Kreigel, [email protected], if you will be attending.
Please join us on Saturday, September 14, at 10:00 am for the official RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY of the Outlaw Pavilion!
Tennis, anyone? Tennis, everyone!
