Monastir, Tunisia
After two hard weeks training in Vegas with my close friends Geoff and his son Sam Pohl, I am headed off to Monastir, Tunisia to play another set of futures tournaments. Monastir had a similar setup and feel to Sharm ElSheikh, with the hotel being on site with the courts and most players staying there. During my time in Monastir, I did not have a roommate. The first week was tough, I often struggled to connect with other players and set up enough hits. Lots of players know each other, or travel with others, and are usually already hitting with these people. I felt very alone at times and stuck in my thoughts when not on the court. But after being there for 4 weeks, over time I befriended other players and coaches and this made my time spent there easier.
My first 2 weeks of qualifying I suffered close losses. One in 3 sets to a player I felt I should beat, and another 7-5, 6-1. Here I was, after 3 weeks in Egypt, and halfway done in Tunisia, and I was winless. Really struggling so see the vision of getting my first win and if I even remembered how to win. I had to rely on others and a coach of mine to change the perspective of not going out there just to win, but being able to have other goals, like finding my purpose on why I am on the court. In week 3, I got my first win.
I took out a Russian player 3 and 2! It felt great to get in the W column. In order to receive ITF points, I would have to win another round. I quickly found out that my next opponent was going to default, thus receiving my first ITF point. This is similar to a transition point, something you get in qualifying draws, that will give you a ranking that is one step below ATP points. These will help me get into more tournaments and be higher up on the acceptance lists. This wasn’t how I was expecting to get my first ITF point, but I had to take it! It felt nice to have a break in my direction.
In the final round of qualies, I lost to a French player 4-6, 7-6, 4-10. A match I had leads in both sets, and failed to close it out, but my opponent played solid. This match is a learning experience in that I had to want it more than him. He had a bit more grit mentally in the tight moments of the sets and tiebreaks, and in the end hurt me.
My fourth and final week I got another win, and was bounced in the second round. This was especially frustrating because the guy was cheating me badly and it swayed the first set in his direction. I remember asking for the referee to come onto the court, and he refused, insisting on watching the match from outside the fence, even after my opponent called a ball out that was 3 feet in.
This was a very tough trip mentally for me. I was able to conquer some big goals of mine, like getting my first wins and my first ITF point. But I really was able to learn about myself and my ability to be at ease with being alone. Most days I spent my time alone, trying to keep busy most hours but still having additional vacant hours to spend pondering my thoughts and life. I feel good leaving Tunisia, still being able to be grateful for this opportunity to travel and play tennis, and also feeling motivated for pursuing my next tennis goals.
