Players sometimes ask why the playoffs are different from the regular season. Our regular season is based on having two hours of playing time which is usually enough to get in 3 sets of tennis. But in the finals, we are working off the traditional form of playing matches – 2 out of 3 sets which may challenge you physically as well as mentally…especially mentally. Can you keep the momentum or turn back the tide? The 3rd set really gives you the opportunity to see what you are made of. Do you play it safe? Do you play more aggressively? What are you saying to yourself and your partner?

Midtown-Palatine in their finals match against Midtown-Chicago came out the winner 5-1 but three of the six matches ended in 3 sets. In watching a few moments of everyone’s matches, there were moments of patient and inpatient play, incredible gets, overzealous overheads, great pickups, tentative serves and good sportsmanship. There were a lot of well-played out points and consistent play with each team trying to figure out how they could best put themselves in the position of putting the ball away. But for me, it is those 3 set matches that are so fascinating. On court 2 the scores were 6-0, 5-7, 6-1. What happened? What changed? Did fatigue set in? On court 3 the scores were 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4). That’s a match where it appears everybody was fighting for every point and it could have gone either way. On court 6, the scores were 6-1, 5-7, 7-5. Slower start for Midtown-Chicago but they got their groove back and pushed it to 3 only to lose a close 3rd set. Win or lose, these final matches, stay with you because a lot is at stake not only for yourself but for your team. These matches are learning opportunities. Nice playing everyone!!