What a night! I was a linesman at the Ashe-Pasarell match and it was amazing. Ashe won the first set with just a single service break, winning 6-4. It was looking like a walk over when Pasarell caught fire in the second. Down 3-1, he started hitting the lines and Ashe time and time again could only say 'too tough'. These guys really went for it, you wouldnt know it was an exhibition. It is the twillight for both careers but both played like lions. Pasarell won the second 6-4 at a set all the crowd was equally split and Reed Gym was as noisy as Forrest Hills. There was an electricity and that milked even more out of these great players. Ashe held serve and and then got his break late in the set and won 6-4. It was a 2 hour match and then they stuck around to talk to the people and when it thinned out a bit they returned to the court and let people hit with them!
I hit with Ashe for a few minutes...he put every ball about 3 feet in front of me and made me look like a pro even though I spraying balls everywhere. At one point I got cocky and unleased a hard forehand. Ashe looked as though he was going to smack it back at me but hit a drop shot that barely cleared the net. I immediately felt humbled. Ashe had a smirk on his face, he wanted to send me a message. I got it.
I took them to a reception where we ate cold cuts and beer and it got a little tiring. Pasarell talked about his record singles match of Wimbledon with Gonzales. Ashe talked about winning Wimbledon and the feud he had going with Connors and how he had to push that poison out of his mind so he could concentrate. He said meditating at the crossovers kept him in the match.
I hung on every word, it was such a fun night. I got them on the 10:55 flight to SLC. Ashe was heading home to New York to see his wife.
I hit with Ashe for a few minutes...he put every ball about 3 feet in front of me and made me look like a pro even though I spraying balls everywhere. At one point I got cocky and unleased a hard forehand. Ashe looked as though he was going to smack it back at me but hit a drop shot that barely cleared the net. I immediately felt humbled. Ashe had a smirk on his face, he wanted to send me a message. I got it.
I took them to a reception where we ate cold cuts and beer and it got a little tiring. Pasarell talked about his record singles match of Wimbledon with Gonzales. Ashe talked about winning Wimbledon and the feud he had going with Connors and how he had to push that poison out of his mind so he could concentrate. He said meditating at the crossovers kept him in the match.
I hung on every word, it was such a fun night. I got them on the 10:55 flight to SLC. Ashe was heading home to New York to see his wife.
When I got home, Mom and Jerry were waiting up. Jerry saw me hitting with Ashe and asked what it felt like to hit with a Wimbledon champ, all I could say was thrilling. Brenda wasnt home when we got there and made it in at 11:45. Mom grounded her on the spot and she got a scolding which made her mad. I dont know whats got into her lately...she has this new boyfriend and seems to go out of her way to break all the rules.
Im heading to bed, but It may be a while before I sleep.
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