The one with the first tennis match of 2012

So last night I completed my futsal-basketball-tennis back-to-back-to-back tri-fecta. It felt great to be back on the tennis court.
My game however, did not go too well. My forehand wasn't working. I mistimed some shots and even miscued some of my shots too. My backhand still remains a weakness. My serve wasn't sharp enough.
We only managed one set of play since we spent the first hour trying to get our games back. In the end, me and Effi lost to Raez and Shahrin 2-6.
Hoping for a better performance in the next game.

The one with the year that was 2011

Happy 2012 people. May the new year bring you health and happiness.
Planning to post a review of my 2011. No outline of how I'm going to write this, so I'll just write as I go along.
First the main highlight of the year. The birth of my son, Aidan Danial. He came to this world on 5th September 2011 at 6.06pm. He came in weighing in at 2.65kg and 47cm in length. He will be 4 months in a couple of days, and the last check-up before Christmas he weighed 6.1kg and grew to 60cm in length.
On the sporting front, this year was the first year I decided to keep track of my stats in futsal and basketball. Yes, after all these years of playing and I've only decided to keep track of my stats when I'm past my prime.
In futsal I played a total of 64 games (eat your heart out you overpaid-footballers-who-say-you-play-too-many-games). In those 64 games, I racked up 108 goals and 112 assists, averaging 1.7 goals and 1.8 assists a game.
I've participated in 2 futsal tournaments. The KHR-organized tournament was ill-fated but the EPL supporters club fared better for me.
In basketball I've made 32 appearances and averaged 7.1 points, 15.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.4 blocks and 2 steals a game.
While I didn't keep track of my tennis stats, I did feel this was the year I improved. I felt I stalled in 2010, but think I got it together in 2011. It might not be on Roger Federer's level, but enough for me to enjoy the game.
Career wise, this year was a lost and wasted year. Nuff said.
For my beloved Spurs, 2011 was a roller coaster with plenty of ups and downs. Among the highlights was reaching the Elite-8 of the Champions League and being 3rd in the league going into 2012. The low-points was missing out of the Champions League as well as too-many dropped points in games where we should be winning especially when our rivals have lost. My player of 2011 is Luka Modric, followed closely by Gareth Bale.
A lesson I learned in 2011 was finding out who my friends are. And this was a majority of friends from when I was working in the treasury line. It seems after I left the line, I was discarded and cast aside. Only one person from the line remained a true friend. The rest, just choose to forget me. It was obvious they only needed me for business relations and nothing else. Even during the days leading to the 'decision' a lot of them called me up, but then stopped calling after I didn't take my talents to the 13th floor.
2011 was a mixed year, with the birth of my son being the highlight. May 2012 be better than 2011.

The one with my return to tennis Thursday

Last night, I made my return to tennis Thursday. After a long hiatus, which I just explained I have something to do. Though most of the guys believe I went for some secret training.

Well, I made my return because the guys say they miss me. Our group of 'Whackers' (as Nasir calls us) consists of 6 players - Effi Federer, Nasir Nadal, Shahrin Lendl, Raez Becker, Azraai Djoovic and myself which somehow they call me Verdasco. Even since my absence the numbers have dwindled and sessions are less. For the past few sessions, its only been 3 players which is and odd number for tennis. The two guys who have been missing in action are because one has moved to the other side of town and other has other interests and activities since he bought a Harley - its seems to be a chick magnet for him.

So last night, we managed to play a set of doubles action. I was paired with Lendl while Djokovic and Federer were on the other side of the net. The matchup you could say was a pairing of Wilson and Prince rackets against each other.

I served to start the game which we won. The Djokovic's serve was broken and we had a 2-0 lead. Lendl's serve was off and we were broken and Federer served to tie the game at 2-a-piece.

I then served and won my service game. Djokovic then served some bullets to tie the game at 3-all. My partner Lendl won his service game and we went up 4-3. On Federer's serve, it went to a few deuces for finally we won the game.

Now we were up 5-3 and I was serving for the game. Which proved to be a nail-biter. We were down 03-40 before we forced deuce. Then began a rally of deuces as no of us could finish off the game. Then finally after gaining the advantage, I hit a backhand-slice which Djokovic misjudged to win the game. A thrilling and fun game of tennis.

The guys said it's been a while since they had so much fun playing and hoping for more of the same for next week, which will be the last game before the fasting month of Ramadhan.

I for one really enjoyed myself, especially with the week I was having. It felt good to be where I belong, on a court or field doing my thing.

The one with the tennis Friday match

Just got back from tennis. Had great fun. And one of the rare occasions I get to play a full singles match. I feel I play better at singles than at doubles.
My opponent was Hafiz. Fellow basketball Wednesday teammate. It was a great game for our standards, which is miles away from the level of play of the Federers and Nadals. And to make it all so much fun was I won 6-3, 6-3.
I started off flying in the first set. Taking a 5-0 lead. Then Hafiz pulled back to 3-5. I usually have trouble closing out games where I have comfortable leads, and I fear this would be one of them. For once, I didn't get rattled. I still played the same steady game that got me the lead. Previously I would have switched tactics and play the powerful but erratic serves. In the end, I managed to close out the set on my serve.
The second set was a different story. We exchanged a break of serve each in the first 4 games. Then I managed to pull away with a 4-2 lead and then a 5-3 lead. And finally I managed to seal the game on Hafiz's serve after a few deuces.
Great game, great fun and a good win for me.

The one with an amazing shot by Roger Federer in the 2009 US Open semi-final

A Letter to Roger Federer's Unborn Child by ESPN

The one with the returns

An active sporting week for me. Besides the usual futsal gigs, I've made my return to the courts of the sport I once graced and another which I plan to exhibit some exquisite shots.
Made my return to the basketball court last Tuesday. Yes, after my futsal Tuesday gig. I pulled off both futsal and basketball back-to-back. Well my game is off, but defensive awareness is still there. Even managed a block in the game. And hit the game winning basket in my last game (we played first team to reach 15 points wins).
And as I post this, I just came back from tennis. The group has been in hiatus, due to either rain or unable to book the courts. Now we are switching our venue to Monterez Golf Club. And the court is beside the pool. Very tempted to just jump into the pool after playing. Had a great game. Most of us were trying to find our shots, and it felt great when it came.
A great sporting week.

The one with my forehand

I have no idea for a title again. But just came back from tennis.
Been making regular appearances and hope to keep it going. I myself is considering buying my own racket. Probably I would have a better feel for the game when I am one with my racket. Well that is the advise I get from my fellow tennis buddies.
As for the game earlier, getting into the flow of things. My forehand feels great. Hit a lot of winners and superb Federer-esque shots. However my glaring weakness is still my serve and backhand. I can't seem to control my backhand swing. My backhand shots keep flying all over the court. My serve needs a whole lot of improvement. Not using my height to my advantage. Something to keep working on.
As for the upcoming Australian Open, I will be supporting my favourites. Roger Federer and Ana Ivanovic. Both are up against it though and inconsistent as of late, but hoping they will find their form.

The one with the first day of 2009

Happy New Year to all. How was your new year's eve and new year. As for me, I stayed indoors where it was safe, playing Football Manager. Not the one for all these as I hate the post-celebration jams.
Anyways, had new year's lunch at my cousin's new crib in Bangi. He just moved to a newly developed area which is near my aunt's house. As for his place, it was very nicely done. They even had a room for their 3 year old kid, but no bed yet as she is still sleeping with the parents. That room was full of toys.
Had a great start in the sports scene as well. Made my debut (or return) to the tennis courts. Haven't played in like 3 years. Was never really good at it, even though potential was there, just never worked on it.
Game play wise was terrible. My serves were out, double faulted most of the time. Backhand was totally off and my forehand had occasions of Federer-esque fluidity. Still had great fun and hope to make a regular appearance to the scene.
And with that, I had a great start to the year.