What would be the equivalent of the "19th hole" for a tennis player? Double fault, Foot fault, The Net. Doubles? I think I'll go with "Double".
The Veterans Tennis circuit has started - finally - with the first of many, being held over the last weekend, at Kottayam. It was a grand affair with about 90 entries, in various age groups, in both singles and doubles.
It was in 1999, while a ranking Tennis Tournament for juniors was being held at the Mundakayam Club, that it was decided to hold a Veterans Tennis Tournament along with this. There has been no looking back since then, and the tournament has gone from strength to strength - both in terms of popularity and numbers.
Initially, the idea was that the Tournament would be held only once a year, on a rotational basis, in the various districts of Kerala. The tournament has grown in such popularity, that, now, there are tournaments held almost every month, starting normally, from November onwards.
Most people fight tooth and nail against ageing - being called Uncle/Aunty - but not the tennis player it seems. The Veterans were meant to be 45+ years onwards only. But the 35+ were adamant that they also be included in the Veterans circuit, so now over the last 2 years they have also been included in the circuit, and presumably are being called Ungle/Aundy. Kottayam had a first, in that, we had the first lady entry - hope many more will now join in.
The various age groups are from 35-45, 45 - 55, 55-65 and 65 years and upwards. One might be forgiven for thinking, how many could there be from 65 upwards, but let me assure you that there are quite a few - some 80+ also. It is also one of the most hotly contested groups - cantankerous at times, but all forgotten after the match at the "Double". All the Tournament organisers have now had to study/learn the rules of Tennis.
The Mundakayam Tournament, (conducted by the Idukki District Tennis Association) I'm sure all my other Veteran friends will agree, has become the most popular one on the circuit. It's normally held in February every year. Even if other districts don't hold the tournament every year, all the veterans are of the unanimous opinion that the Mundakayam tournament be held every year. Organisers from Mundakayam are a bit foxed on why this is so. Could it be the "Double" at Mundakayam?
The Mundakayam Club, where the tournament is held, is celebrating it's Centenary Year, this year, and so this tournament promises to be a memorable one.
All are invited to make this a "DOUBLE".
The Veterans Tennis circuit has started - finally - with the first of many, being held over the last weekend, at Kottayam. It was a grand affair with about 90 entries, in various age groups, in both singles and doubles.
It was in 1999, while a ranking Tennis Tournament for juniors was being held at the Mundakayam Club, that it was decided to hold a Veterans Tennis Tournament along with this. There has been no looking back since then, and the tournament has gone from strength to strength - both in terms of popularity and numbers.
Initially, the idea was that the Tournament would be held only once a year, on a rotational basis, in the various districts of Kerala. The tournament has grown in such popularity, that, now, there are tournaments held almost every month, starting normally, from November onwards.
Most people fight tooth and nail against ageing - being called Uncle/Aunty - but not the tennis player it seems. The Veterans were meant to be 45+ years onwards only. But the 35+ were adamant that they also be included in the Veterans circuit, so now over the last 2 years they have also been included in the circuit, and presumably are being called Ungle/Aundy. Kottayam had a first, in that, we had the first lady entry - hope many more will now join in.
The various age groups are from 35-45, 45 - 55, 55-65 and 65 years and upwards. One might be forgiven for thinking, how many could there be from 65 upwards, but let me assure you that there are quite a few - some 80+ also. It is also one of the most hotly contested groups - cantankerous at times, but all forgotten after the match at the "Double". All the Tournament organisers have now had to study/learn the rules of Tennis.
The Mundakayam Tournament, (conducted by the Idukki District Tennis Association) I'm sure all my other Veteran friends will agree, has become the most popular one on the circuit. It's normally held in February every year. Even if other districts don't hold the tournament every year, all the veterans are of the unanimous opinion that the Mundakayam tournament be held every year. Organisers from Mundakayam are a bit foxed on why this is so. Could it be the "Double" at Mundakayam?
The Mundakayam Club, where the tournament is held, is celebrating it's Centenary Year, this year, and so this tournament promises to be a memorable one.
All are invited to make this a "DOUBLE".
good one!
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