Inspired by the Skill of Others

by Elena Dementieva
(LA)

Have you ever been so inspired by the skill of others, and motivated through their encouragement, that it spurred you on to take action in your own life?

You'll see that's exactly what happened to Elena, as you read her short inspirational story...

How Dinesh R Makwana's Tennis
Helped Me To Sports

I was sitting on a bench, with six tennis courts and five of them were empty. Court 1 on the far end had two youngish lads playing tennis but they were too far for me see so I decided to go a bit nearer and sit at a bench much closer to their play.

I had always watched tennis on the television, I understood the game and one thing that a lady my age knew about tennis was that apart from all the razzle and dazzle that tennis brings, for ladies, tennis players are pretty good looking too. I guess this was bonus but playing tennis was just so hard for me. I guess I was lazy and understood fitness was about my daily three mile runs, or workouts with my Zumba DVDs and routines and the weekly kickboxing sessions.

Anyway, venturing nearer to Court One was a blessing for me. The dark haired Asian, a very good looking man was just outstanding. His serve was very like the excellent Roger Federer but he played most of his tennis from the baseline. The other man, a tall 6 foot three, blond giant was much like giant serve and volley titans of the tennis world. I guess the nearest metaphor or simile would be a cross between Nadal and Djokovic; and he was pretty good on all accounts. I did not really know what the scoreline was but the sharp rallies had me saying evens all round.

There was an air of professional tennis about the place, they were both gentlemen, they had manners, and they had a skill that I only saw at tournaments like the French or Wimbledon, and both hit the ball so hard that the fences felt pain. It was very high quality tennis and not usual for the local scenes of Greater London. It was heading towards 18 hours now, and I was desperate to stay as whatever the competition status was, the tennis was just magical. Rally after rally, point after after point, I just got hooked.


In any case, the game suddenly ended and the Asian man theatrically lifted his hands after hitting a thunderous forehand down the line from a sprint way off Court and made a winner any top pro would be proud off. I was so happy to see such wonderful talent. As they both gathered their ten or so rackets, towels and tennis balls, I quietly ventured near the Court and congratulated both on their excellent skill.

Both were superlative gentlemen of the highest order. Instead of avoiding me or being evasive both were encouraging tennis and enthused how easy it could be. I actually got to hold a racket, throw a ball and I was even given local tennis club numbers to start a possible tennis interest.

Dave and Dinesh (Dinesh insisted I call him Dinesh R Makwana in full as he is a poet as well!) and both were delightful and yes it was ~Dinesh who had won in four hard sets. Dinesh told me that tennis was one of those sports that had edges on other sports that you would see once you started playing and boy was he right. There is an incredible difference in tennis play than say squash or badminton, and having played tennis now for some four years, he is right. There is a definite gain in fitness too in my opinion and some the muscle groups that you use are very defined.

I really think that Tennis is an achievable sport and it was this one high quality match, where a certain Dave and Dinesh R Makwana and their brilliance, their care, their incredible talent that started my love of tennis in a big way. Thanks so much.