Tennis and Golf
Welcome!
Sorry to be rather late with this week’s Substack but I’ve only just returned from a gruelling trip to Rome. It’s a wonderful city but I noticed that many of the famous buildings there are in urgent need of repair. Perhaps the Italian Open tennis tournament that we went to see could one day be staged in a rejuvenated Colosseum.
My wife and I love tennis. We saw some outstanding matches and witnessed both Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka being beaten. Sadly, there was very little British interest because most of our stars are crocked at the moment.
While I was enjoying the tennis, I started to wonder what aspects of the game golf might consider adopting. It occurred to me that the first and then, if necessary, the second serve system has much to commend it. So often I’ve stood on the tee and thought after bashing an indifferent drive that I would welcome a second chance. Yes, you can hit a provisional ball if you think the first might be lost, but that’s not quite the same thing. If, for example, you fooozled your first attempt 50 yards down the fairway and the ball is in full view, as things stand at present, you’re obliged to play it. Surely, having another go is far preferable.
Another aspect of tennis that struck me as sensible is allowing players to sit down and have a drink, and maybe something to munch, after every couple of games. Why can’t golfers enjoy a similar refreshing break after, say, every two or three holes? Not only would it be good for the players but also the golf clubs would benefit from increased sales of suitable drinks and snacks. Golf could easily do for, say, gin and tonic what tennis has done for Robinsons barley water.
The highlight of our trip was not at the tennis but at a dinner we enjoyed in the company of an American friend of mine I’d not seen since 1966 when I was an exchange student at the highly regarded Bronx High School of Science. We nearly met up a couple of years ago when he came to Britain but, regrettably, I was lying unconscious in hospital at the time having been knocked of my bicycle by a van. A man of great taste, he subscribes to this Substack and is now living in New Mexico. Hello David Rosen!
Well, I must go now because I’ve another Substack to write by Friday and I really mustn’t be late again.