Journey to the U.S. Open: The results are in....What's next?

Now that the dust has settled, I feel that I am in the proper mental state to report back on the U.S. Open travesty that is the qualifying sectionals. I will open up a very objective analysis of the state of affairs.

Things that were good:

• I got an official US Open t-shirt and hat
• Played in the third round (technically)
• Got back into a REAL competitive tournament
• Played at the place where my high school CIF championship was
• Finally got my ankle taped up properly to support me
  
• I figured out how to combat my nervous butterflies for the beginning of competitive matches (Tequila!!!)

Things that were bad:

• I should have got my ankle taped the first day
• I didn't train nearly as much as I should have
• I lost mental confidence
• My first serve decided to take a vacation
• Tendinitis

and above all:

• I should have kicked that lady's butt!!!

The funniest thing is that, apparently, the officials come onto the court to make sure that all gameplay is fair. My opponent kept foot faulting and I'm sure the random foot fault calls were getting to her head. That's when I should have stepped it up to take advantage. So many regrets, but only enough to grow from.

So that's the U.S. Open wrap up report. I am really disappointed that I went out the way I did, but I am determined to never let that happen again. How do we resolve this issue?

- 1 open tournament/month
- Train properly
- Eat right
- Get on the court religiously to fix those unforced errors, doh!

Next tourney...

CALABASAS OPEN & NTRP CHAMPIONSHIPS (June 4-6, 2010)...wish me luck!

The Playlist! (From LBC to Arthur Ashe)

Everyone knows that any respectable athelete has a playlist that will mentally get them into and out of their game. I have created a playlist that will take me through my U.S. Open debut. Now I just wonder if I should also not change my tennis outfits at all for good luck throughout my playing (but then I think of how much sweat is involved on hot days, gross!).

I'm banking on someone breaks their arm, pulls a tendon or even dramatically sprains a pinky toe (which is desperately needed for all the side to side movement in tennis), so that I can make my way to Arthur Ashe. I am ,mentally prepared to get annihilated, but my spirits are high and I don't take well to defeat.

Either way, off I got the US Open wild card sectional, my match today is against Rochelle Perkins ( I have mentioned her before). I feel like I know Rochelle, I have been thinking about her so much, lol.

Anyway, I gathered my thoughts on a playlist that would get me pumped for this event...It may be slightly on the feminine side, but still a powerful list that should help me get through.

1. Bad, Rihanna

2.Tell Me, Christina Aguilera & P.Diddy

3. When I grow up, Pussycat Dolls

4. People of the Sun, Rage Against The Machine

5. Paid In Full, Erik B. & Rakim

6. Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, Michael Jackson

7. Summertime, Fresh Prince

8. Till I Collapse, Eminem

9. My 1st Song, Jay-Z

10. Set Adrift, PM Dawn

Enjoy and tell me what YOU think, what songs do YOU love to get motivated to? I'm sure I need to add others to the playlist :).

Wish me luck.....again!

Journey to the U.S. Open - Week 3 (Talk about a rocky road)

When I say Rocky Road, I definitely don't mean Ice Cream. Just when I thought that my training was getting to that elite level, where I am truly preparing myself for excellence I have to take a break to go to Arizona; where I get phenomenal allergies. Upon my return....dun dun dunnnnnn...Food Poisoning! Can you believe it ?!?! I mean really, what is that?

Anyway, today is my first day of full recovery from that beast they call food poisoning, the most sucky part is that it was from Yardhouse, which I LOVE! bah humbug!

Anyway, I go to check the draw today and to my surprise, I WON!!!!
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Ok, no I didn't win the wild card, but I won my first round; which now that I look back at it, several people did. At least they make you feel strong when you start right? Looks like I'll be playing Rochelle Perkins from Torrance, who most recently was defeated in a tournament as a 4.0. Not to be rude, but I'm gonna wipe the floor with her, so I must apologize in advance.

Dear Rochelle,

I'm sorry for my grunting, profanity, dirty looks and laughing for no reason every once in a while. I will try my best to keep this brief and swift for you. I promise that when you go home after our match, you will tell your friends: "DAMN! I really just got my butt kicked!"...And if this happens to be ridiculous after Monday's match...then.....just kidding and Nice match!

Send your positive butt-kicking thoughts my direction the next few days, I will have to pile them up and use at my discretion when needed! Here's to a ferocious weekend of tennis and competition.

My Journey to the U.S. Open (aka Adventures of a chronic dieter)

Don't you just love it when you buy 1 and get 1 free? Well that's what this blog is. First and foremost...this is not a test. Yes, you read the title correctly, 'My journey to the U.S. Open', currently supplementing the 'Adventures of a Chronic Dieter' (see...2 for 1). That said, no I am not a world class tennis player, but who am I to stop my destined path to greatness?

I always regretting not moving forward with tennis in college and since its ridiculous to blame my parents for not starting me sooner, there's nothing much I can do about it, or is there? I recently came across the US Open sectional qualifying tournament that is taking place in Claremont, starting May 17th. Its an open tournament, so its open to anyone over the age of 14. Seeing that I have been on a steady path to regaining my slender and healthy physique, this is perfect timing.

Huh? You're thinking. Yes, I am just crazy enough to spend the $134.88 to get my chance at the U.S. Open. How else am I going to pursue my professional tennis career further? So that's that, the 'Adventures of a Chronic Dieter' series, will temporarily be 'My Journey to the U.S. Open' and until then I will report my trials, tribulations, workouts, hindrances of making my way to the U.S. Open. This just means I'm going to really have to workout good, full, and difficult workouts and play tennis every single day in some way, shape or form.

After coming home from the gym today, I am confident that I can motivate myself to put in all the extra work to at least compete in the tournament and have a fighting chance. Who knows...if Melanie Ouidan can make it, it can't be completely far off for some hope for me.

Well then, welcome to my journey and wish me luck! See you at Arthur Ashe!

--signing off as US Open Superstar--

P.S.: Rahul (my boss) if you're reading this, I'm gonna have to take May 17th off to get my wild card bid to the U.S. Open, I hope you don't mind and thanks!