Knowing players.

Hey guys,

Caution: This might not make sense and is mostly a ramble.

Today, I found out that Pironkova beat Venus at Wimbledon. I was shocked and made my status about how I met and watched her play in March and I was the reason she did so well. Totally kidding. Well, a popular junior in the local tennis community I was in in Georgia went off on me and a few posters on my status and said how I didn’t have a personal relationship with either player (true) and included Melanie Oudin in that statement. For some reason, that really irked me and I could not focus at work (the updates were sent to my phone). I will admit that I have gone a bit overboard adding players on Facebook, but that is because I love the game and want to cheer them on personally. Melanie is one of the players that I frequently talk to online and I consider us good friends.

Just because I never played the big sectional and national events, doesn’t mean I don’t know players. I speak to Melanie fairly often on Facebook, With Melanie, we talk for awhile when she is available and for someone to question my friendship really ticked me off. I have no idea why I am getting so defensive about it, as I have known Melanie even before she turned pro. I first met her at the 2007 $50k Challenger in Lawrenceville, Georgia. She had just won her first or second ITF junior event in a row (on her way to a 20+ win streak on the Jr. circuit). That event, she beat a top 150 player and reached the quarterfinals, easily her first big result. She turned pro about 5 months later, and has blossomed into a fantastic player and person. She and I had deep conversations mostly about non-tennis things. I am probably going to get to meet up with her at the WTA in Cincinnati. I had only seen her twice since I first met her, but our friendship is forreal.

Again, why am I getting so defensive? I have absolutely no clue, to be honest. I form bonds with players over the internet. I have probably talked to over 100 players either online or in person at various pro tournaments. I know people talk about me regarding players and me knowing them. That’s fine, I use my relationships with players not only on a personal foundation, but also professionally. My dream is to be on the WTA Tour doing something behind-the-scenes and it definitely isn’t something negative. I network with other players and with this blog, I hope to achieve my dream.

I just want people to know that I am a TRUE tennis fan. I cheer, I live, I breathe tennis. For someone to question something I am SO passionate about, hurt. I apologize if none of this made sense as I am rambling and wanted to get things off my chest. Again, this is a blog. Please feel free to leave comments, tell people about it and check my videos out at www.youtube.com/tennisbuddy12

Advertisement