Titan 'answered the bell' this morning to Joe 'Gimpy Knees' Cruz' wake up call at 5:45 a.m. TT put a big time hurtin' on his amigo a few hours later at the YTC. TennisTitan paired with Jeff 'Limo Man' Berkon in the first two of the three sets played this date against the tandem of 'GK'/Yossi. 'Limo Man' describes himself as new to the game but his play this morning seemed anything but. Jeff was accurate with his serve and his volleys were effective. With 'Limo Man' at his side TT put on one of his finer displays of all-court tennis. Titan had that rare combination going for him today - power and finesse, skill and luck, 'bookmarks' down the alley when necessary, followed by lasers at the feet of his opponents in leading 'Limo Man'/TT to convincing victories in the first two sets (6-2, 6-2). Everything went in for TT: from running lefthanded forehands for winners to half volley behind the baseline, TennisTitan had the Midas Touch. 'GK' could get nothing going against the 'boisterous behemoth.' Titan was taking an open book test; he had all the answers! TT continued his hot play in set 3 when he helped elevate Yossi's game (6-3) to victory. Titan managed to give 'Limo Man' a few tips on court strategy and the effectiveness of taking pace off he ball when playing against a bigger hitter. TT wishes he could bottle today's ability. It was his Dom Perignom! 'GK' paid his usual high tribute to TennisTitan as they left the court, "I hate you, you prick! I bring you to my game and you kick my ass for my friends to see. Set your own fuckin' alarm clock!" "Jose, gracias, mi amigo" was Titan's reply.
After a 5 hour respite TennisTitan was back at the Yonkers Tennis Center for another round of entertaining tennis. This afternoon the Titan paired with Rich 'El Presidente" Prezioso in two plus sets of satisfying tennis against 'Big Al' Dio Dati and John 'Irish ' Gallagher. Titan/'Prez' cruised to a (6-2) victory in the opener and managed to hold on to win the second set (7-5) by withstanding a late rally that had erased a 5-2 lead. Titan/'Prez' led the final set 3-1 when play was halted due to time constraints. Titan wisely used this opportunity to practice his placement serves, lobs and half volleys from the baseline. TennisTitan was careful not to over extend himself physically thus avoiding the risk of cramping later this evening. TT enjoyed watching his opponents attempt to break down 'Prez' game by forcing their rallies to his side. Prez responded to that challenge effectively in the first set and throughout the first half of set two before losing his stroke.
TennisTitan was the early bird today again joining three different players for a 7 a.m. start at the Yonkers Tennis Center. So Yossi, why did you show up at 7:30? Are you on Israeli time? Titan rotated himself through the group and faired reasonably well. In the opener TT paired with Frank Buckley for a thorough thumping of Yossi and Ed 'Lean, Lanky and Lefty' Gor (6-1). Titan then paired with Yossi for a (6-2) victory over the tandem of Buckley/'LLL.' The final set was similarly one sided with Yossi/Buckley routing TT and the 'Lean, Lanky, Lefty' (6-1). Titan is grateful for the opportunity to get in some indoor tennis during his weeks back in NY. He gently reminds the 'Lean, Lanky Lefty' who is the organizer of this morning tennis game that, at least for today, 'LLL' does not stand for "loser, loser, loser!" No, Ed Gor is the Chairman of the Board and deserves immense respect on and off the court!
TennisTitan joined the early morning group (7:30 a.m.) at the YTC this date at the invitation of Joe 'Gimpy Knees' Cruz. The Titan and "GK' had an unexpected breakfast bagel (0-6) served up by the tandem of Tom 'Mick' Ahern and Tony 'No Baloney" Guido in short order. 'GK' could never get his game untracked as he continued to employ only his power game and hit long shot after shot. TT did not have any answers either to the all court dominance of 'No Baloney' and the consistent support offered by the 'Mick.' These elder court statesmen cruised to another comfortable (3-6) victory un the second set that led to a shuffling of the pairings. The final set paired TT with 'No Baloney against 'Mick'/'GK' and ended on serve at (4-4) and featured many of the most competitive points of the match. Joe Cruz opined as Titan dressed after the match, "Tommy, I promised YOU a good game today; I didn't say that I'd play a good game." To wit TT retorted, "Joe, you also promised me breakfast too, but you didn't say that you'd provide a bagel either!"
"Wake Up Titan! Get your ass out of bed," was the 'music' in the TennisTitan's ears. It was Joe 'Gimpy Knees' Cruz fullfilling his promise to get TT moving at 5:45 a.m. so that the 'bloated behemoth' could make his substitute assignment in an 8 a.m. game at the YTC. Much to his chagrin Titan was only one of the two substitutes that would be needed this date. Not to worry dear readers, TT had ingested his 4 cups of java by 6:30 and was sufficiently energized to play a creditable set of canadian tennis (3-6, 3-3) against Don Carmody and Bill Goebelbecker before giving 'Gimpy Knees' (joining us from the adjacent court after his doubles game ended) his wake up call! "Hello amigo, I think you hit the snooze button" was the Titan's frequent refrain as he and "Billy the Kraut" ran rough shod (6-1) over the tandem 'GK'/Shillelagh Man' Carmody. Titan enjoyed the fine play of the two soft spoken gentlemen from Valhalla who possess both "soft hands," a finesse game, and unflappable dispositions on court. But TT wonders if he'll get that call to sub again having heard these two long time friends whisper to one another as they exited the YTC, "The guy doesn't shut up... he sometimes has a big serve, but he always has that big mouth going!"
"Hey Jimbo, you better draw up some plans for us to leave here a winner next time" was the refrain uttered by the Titan as he bid goodbye to his partner Jim Addiss 'Abada' this afternoon dropping him off in front of his home. 'Abada' is an architect by training but failed to show his ability to "construct" a point at critical times this afternoon. TT/'Abada' had dropped a close one to Bill 'EBL' Tully and 'Big Al' Dio Dati at the YTC (5-7) and trailed 3-4 in the second set when play was halted leaving the Titan sullen and grasping for new excuses for his loss. By all accounts this was a well played match by each of the competitors. 'EBL/'Big Al' came up with the goods at crunch time in the first set by breaking TT in the 12th and final game. 'Abada's serve and volley style does not complement 'Titan's inability to retreat on lobs as does 'EBL's superior mobility and longer reach when he pairs with TT. TennisTitan enjoyed some wonderfully long rallies with 'EBL' going inside-out forehand to inside-out forehand from the ad-court to high light his play today. 'Abada' lives and dies by his crisp volleys and overheads at net. He buried some and some buried us. "Titan my back is just not strong enough to carry you with all that lead you've got in your ass. I'm 73 years old and have been married for 50 years, isn't that enough of a load for one man? And, by the way, your driving is better than your serving!"
TennisTitan ususally is thinking that when he's delivering his second serve. But today those thoughts summed up the entire morning at Kinsley. Titan joined fellow stalwarts 'Happy Jack' Carey and George 'Chemist' House for some Canadian play before the arrival of this afternoon's forecasted major snow storm. It was our good fortune to have Ray 'Tax Man' Toma come by the park and join in our game for two entertaining sets of play. TT is hobbled by strained hamstrings in both legs from too much exertion on the courts over the last two days. Titan paired with 'Chemist' for a (6-3) victory over 'HJ'/'Tax Man.' TT ended the day on a high note as 'Tax Man's partner defeating 'Chemist'/'HJ' in a set that went down to the wire (7-5). As the boys left the court Titan reminded the 'Tax Man,' "I usually sends my RETURNS in early, but today my serve didn't help me set up the point because of the tightness in my upper legs."
