Arrrggghhh. I lost today

The funniest thing happened today. I played really bad today. BUT I violated the rules, but it was something I could have done something about and something I couldn't. The first rule is you have to warm-up--at least 30 minutes, but there was no where to warm-up. Second rule: watch the food. But I woke up at 4:30 a.m. and was hungry so I ate, but I got there and ate something I never ate before. I broke the rituals.

Once in the match, I was oddly hyper. Couldn't get my forehand going, but instead of using what I had, I tried to force my forehand to work, and I wasn't working. It just was off, but tennis is like that. It's a different game everyday, and today, I should have just gone to my chip game to get through, but I didn't.

It's so funny that you do something that you should know better, BUT it was a farewell tour for this year. Next year as of January... I play up an age group--sadness... and at the last tournament before this, a guy played down and ran into me--and I lost 7-5, 7-6 (9-11). He's ranked or seeded 2 so things are looking up.

Also, the final rule I broke was consuming massive amounts of alcohol on Tuesday--which upset my stomach for two days. Yeah, I'm a walking mound of excuses today :D :D

The speech that I gave after the loss should have been: "He played well on the big points, and I didn't. I gave it my best and came up short today. It was a great venue to play in and a lot of fun."

What I said instead to my friends was simply... I sucked today. he played well and matched up to my game.

sigh. Also, it was my birthday today so that might have something to do with it also :D eh. Life goes on. Next tournament is next week.

thank you's to Seb, Fon, Steve, Pang, and Mike for celebrating my birthday last night--good times :D