Summer Tournaments 2007 by Evelina Belevich

As a WJTI Performance player I am expected to play a certain amount of matches per year.   This is so I can make the most of my coaching, to show everyone how good WJTI is and most importantly to have fun.   This is how my summer of tournaments went.

Week 1: Surbiton

The first week of the summer tournaments was at Surbiton.   I saw a lot of people that I already knew there.   It's often the same players at each event.   My first match was in the Under 12's against a girl called Sofia.   Even though she was older than me she wasn't as good - her rating was 10.2    I played well and won 6-2, 6-2!

The following day I played two matches in a row in the 10 and Under event.   In the first match my opponent retired due to injury when I was 4-2, 1-0 up.   My second match of the day was in the Under 12's and I lost 6-2, 6-0 - she was good!

On the Wednesday I had another victory in the Under 10's and another on the Thursday. This meant that I would be playing my doubles partner and friend Lila Simpson in the Final on Saturday.   We had a tough match as usual and eventually Lila won 4-2, 5-3   A very busy week!

Week 2: Purley

The second week of tournaments was at Purley.   I played two matches on the first day in the Under 12's.   I won both of my matches.   I beat Beatha 6-0, 6-0 and Trinice 6-2, 6-2.   The next day I played two matches in the Under 10's winning both matches 6-0, 6-0.   Thursday was the final of the Under 10's and the semi of the Under 12's.   I did well in the tens beating a girl with the same rating as me.   I did not play quite so well in the twelve's but still came through to win 6-1, 6-1.   At last on Friday came the Under 12's final against a girl called Natalie.   She had the same rating as me even though she was older.   We had a tough match and she won 6-2, 6-3 but I enjoyed it anyway.

Week 3: St George's Hill

A very exclusive setting for the third week of tournaments!   I played in the Under 12 and 12 events.   My rating had given me a bye to the semi finals of the Under 10's where I played Mia Smith.   I have played Mia before and she also goes to the National Training Camps.   I played well, constructing my points and attacking and beat Mia 6-1, 6-1.   The final was set for Saturday but I had a bit of a challenge in the 12's to deal with beforehand.   My opponent had a rating of 7.2 which is pretty good for under 12's!   I was doing ok and quite enjoying it before I fell over on the wet grass.   I had to retire due to my injury.

The Under 10 final was quite eventful.   My opponent Patricia saw some of the balls differently to me and we had to call for the referee who soon sorted her out!   I won 6-2, 6-4.   My second tournament victory of the summer!

Week 4:   Rest

Dan let me have a rest week which is not quite as it sounds as I was still training but with less intensity.   I didn't want to get out of practice before my next event.

Week 5:   Esher

I have decided to only play in Under 12 events now for a new challenge.   It was a bit like playing at the Championships as every time I started to play it rained and we had to come back off again.   I enjoyed watching and supporting Elizabeth who was the runner up in the Under 16's and learned a lot from her.   It's always good to have someone to support you and hang out with at events.   My leg started to hurt again from the fall at St. George's and I was forced to retire.   I think I could have toughed it out a bit more though and will try to next time.

Week 6: County Closed, Sheen

The last week of the summer holidays is the county closed for anyone who lives in Surrey.   It is the only event on that week so the best players will often be there.   I played in the Under 12's singles and doubles.   My first round opponent was not so strong and so I tried out some serve and volley which worked well and was fun.   My groundstrokes were good too.   I was happy not because I won but because I took my chance to try out newly learned skills and tactics.  

My second round was quite different.   My opponent was much stronger and I made quite a few silly mistakes.   I tried to stay calm with myself but lost the match.   Lila and I teamed up for the Under 14 doubles.   We did really well and used our tactical knowledge and teamwork to put up a good fight against much older girls.   We came back from 5-1 to level it at 5-5 before losing the set 7-5.   Even though we lost 6-1, 7-5 I was really pleased because we played well together.  

So now it's back to some hard training before the next tournaments.   Playing matches is fun and also helps me to see where I need to improve as well as how good some of the other girls are.   I had a great summer playing tennis.   Looking forward to Summer 08!

Written by Evelina Belevich

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