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Published: August 12th 2009
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My Opponent
And me in Australian Davis Cup style uniform “I can’t believe I just got pumped by a 46 year old” was what I was saying to myself on my last few moments in Cairo. My 1:30pm flight meant I could sleep in or go for one last view of the pyramids. But sleeping, I could do that on the plane and the Pyramids, well… that doesn’t say Egypt to me. Oh no… Organising a tennis match with an Egyptian Pro at the 5 star Nile Hotel? Now that says Egypt to me??!!
I exchanged a book in Dahab for an Egyptian Frommers guidebook. Shithouse book really as it targets the more well endowed wallet sleeve tourist. But what it had was information about activities of which tennis came up.
There it gave information about hiring the court and tennis pro for lessons. Formerly the Nile Hilton it changed recently to just The Nile Hotel Cairo. But I didn’t want a lesson; I wanted to see if it were possible for an Australian male, apart from Lleyton Hewitt to win a tennis match abroad? Australian tennis has gone down hill so much that I had to win! Even though I didn’t know who my opponent was, how old
he or she was and what skill level they were. It may have been 10 months since I hit a ball but surely Egyptian tennis can’t beat an Australian amateur tennis player?
I booked it in the previous day and the comfort of a 9am start was taken by some rich Asian lady so I had to squeeze it in for 10am. A bit hotter and physiologically better for my opponent as I had to keep an eye on the time so I wouldn’t miss my flight which was 3.5 hours away.
The court was clay looking cement court, the crowd anyone poking their head over the balcony. Since it was a 10 start most of the crowd would have come back from their buffet breakfast or having breakfast in bed but decided to go to the balcony to see the action.
Because of the tight schedule I had to carry my backpack from downtown a 20-minute walk passing the museum. Also navigating the hair-raising roundabout nearby at the best of times but on backpack… I walk through the elaborate foyer sweating, passing security and plant my 2 tennis bags dirty from this seasons trip at the
side of the court and shake my opponents hand.
I forgot his name all I know was his stats. 46 years old and the former Egyptian over 35’s #1. There were two ball boys manning the court lined up for singles games only. I was looking flamboyant with my choice of attire. Yellow shirt, green and gold Aussie board shorts black socks and my new purchase of grey sports shoes for the occasion. (Hiking boots are no good plus I didn’t want to sprain my ankle over this). He thought I resembled Gustavo Kuerton.
I said straight after the handshake “I want to play a match” He said later he knew his “reputation was on the line.” And this is where I went wrong. I should have said I wanted to play after the warm up. What my over excitement did was give him time to study my game and when it came to game time he knew what to do.
During the warm up he was not able to compete with my crushing groundstrokes so he softened it up and generated from my shots and put angles on them. Something I couldn’t do on my first
game back.
I won the winners count 12-2. But was run ragged with these f***ing angles. I was sweating like a pig and after 6 games had failed to win a game. My groin was stuffed and I just couldn’t take it. I prefer balls to come onto me (No gay connotations there.)
But come the second set it was a different story, long games, 4 deuces, game points and at 1-2 going with serve I didn’t take my opportunity. At 1-4 with only one break of serve there was only about 10 minutes left so I just hit out with some scintillating backhands down the line. I am definitely back for another game but maybe when he’s 50.
When the game finished we shock hands I showered and went to find a taxi. The Hotel does offer a Limo service but as a loser I took a taxi. That taxi dropped me off at the wrong terminal and when I got to the right one I was told the ticket was cancelled and I had to buy a new ticket. So out comes my 2 credit cards but the machine wasn't working. So as I kept calm maybe because I was stuffed a new machine came with 4 minutes to spare and I got on my flight to Budapest.
I did all right considering I haven’t played a game for 10 months or done any activity apart from a few hikes. This guy has been playing everyday for the past 30 years. The final score was 6-0, 6-1 and was a great alternative way to finish my Egypt trip and culturally different destinations for JP4. Even now I say to myself, “I can’t believe I got pumped by a 46 year old.” Australian tennis is in the doldrums and I feel partly responsible. Sorry Australia.
DETAILS - The Nile Hotel Cairo 1113 Corniche El Nil, Cairo, Egypt
Tel: 202 25780444 / 25780666
Fax: 202 25780475
Website: www.thenilehotels.com
Court fee including racquet and well used tennis balls about $25.
Shoes $20 cheapest around $12 in downtown shoe stalls. Plenty around.
Limo service available to airport at concierge
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Phil
non-member comment
Drew mate, I think i'm ever in cairo ill give this a go. although i probably rather play the over 60 womens champ more my style!