“Eric The Everywhere”

You know we've had problems getting a fourth for tennis these days. Well, today a 21- year-old college senior was our fourth. The fact his chemistry professor is one of our regulars may have influenced his decision to join us.

In any case it was a revelation playing with this incredibly energetic young man. The revelation was all on our side as we watched him dart from sideline to sideline and net to baseline to return everything hit on his side of the court.

Occasionally his professor/partner got into the act but “Eric The Everywhere” got everything else.

Although he was playing against two octogenarians he hit hard and placed the ball well. And as we moved him around the court, marveling at his ability to get to virtually every shot, we almost forgot to stay in the point.

It didn't help that a six-year-old girl taking lessons on the next court was belting every shot from her instructor back at him. We couldn't decide who to watch first, Eric or the kid.

Somewhat distracted, we dropped the first two games then “gathered ourselves” (as TV's golf analysts say) and won our set, 6-4. Fortunately, our hour of court time expired before we did.

An old quote sums up the experience nicely:

“Youth will be served, every dog has his day and mine has been a fine one.” George Borrow, 1803-1881.