More than the tennis stunk

"Titan, how do you always manage to do this to me?" The words of 'Rockin Rick' Ricci upon completion of his two set marathon match against TT this afternoon at Andrus Park in Yonkers. 'Rockin Rick' had forewarned TT that playing at Andrus would be less than idyllic. "Andrus is noisy, not well maintained by the city, and heavily impacted by the bus and car fumes of the nearby traffic on Central Av." Boy, did 'RRR' ace me with his commentary! He was so right. But your leg weary, back-brace wearing 'bloated behemoth' had enough answers to turn back 'RRR's late-set charges to come away smiling in his (6-4, 6-4) victory. The match was played with fire engines, ambulances, police cars racing up Central Av. with sirens and horns blaring for at least 20 minutes. When that din ended a News 12 helicopter hovered nearby for 45 minutes keeping tabs on whatever the initial commotion was about, and making sure that we couldn't hear ourselves think or give the score verbally. Worse still was the incessant noxious odor of recently paved asphalt on the adjoining basketball court that soured the atmosphere throughout play. Did I mention the gusting winds of 20mph that made ball control for two old geezers near impossible. 'RRR' ever gracious, win or loose, quietly smiled as Titan apologized for not having fresh batteries in his camera as TT chirped, "Rick, the way we played the emergency services should have come for us. I pretended the helicopter was the Good Year blimp over Arthur Ashe Stadium, and that stink - it was your game, more than mine!"