Well, it does not seem 5 minutes since I was blogging from Finland in March and yet here we are at the start of the summer tournament run!  I am sat writing this blog (with big brother in the background, ashamed to say I have been watching it!) on the penultimate night of what has been a very busy two weeks. We started with the Scottish Open where we had nine players competing. It was really good week of tennis with all the players competing well  showing  signs of their hard work in training paying off. Steve Crawshaw made finals of 18s and Toby Mitchell made final of 16s doubles. Bridge showed off some great clay court tennis, looking very at home with her favourite surface, scoring a good win in the 18s.  With the mini bus bouncing in time with Eminem (how is that music!) we set off each morning for practice and matches,  it was great to have all the age groups together watching , supporting and learning from each other, in true TeamBath/MCTA style.  Bridge was playing during the Germany v England match, so I made agreement that I would watch but was allowed to have the radio on too. So thanks to Craig’s iphone we had the match on live. Turns out there was no need for the radio due to the roaring cheer coming out of the pub (opposite the club) when GERMANY scored! Say no more!

As the week went on Wimbledon was getting into the latter stages and all eyes were on Murray, so we thought what better thing to do than go and watch the Nadal v Murray match on a big screen in a square in the city centre. We arrived just as Murray had lost the second set so the crowd support was a little subdued. That all changed when our mouth almighty kids arrived! As the third set went on it was clear that there was no coming back for Murray and what would have been a brilliant atmosphere kind of felt like an anti climax. When the match finished the TV cameras headed straight over to the players and stuck the microphone in Bridge’s direction. Obviously a natural in front of the lens Bridge went on to convey her sorrow for Andy not going through, all the long lying through her teeth as she is actually in love with Rafa!

Onwards to the second tournament, the ITF and Tennis Europe running side by side. So with the players now getting more and more match tight we all looked forward to knowing the draw and times of play. This being my 8^th year in Edinburgh I was hoping that this time I was not going to need my winter jacket. Well that hope was quickly abolished as the rain came down for the qualifying rounds. So whilst the south was basking in heat waves we were underneath Scottish black clouds. Even when there are no visible clouds it still seems to manage to rain! So we paddled in from the clay to the indoor courts, calling for a slight change of tactics for the players.

One of the highlights of the tournament was Bridge gaining her first ITF points beating the number 8 seed from Russia. Bridge showed great courage to close the match out in the third set and managed to still hit through the heavy clay ridden balls.

As I said, I started writing this blog on the eve of the boys final where Sid was due to play against Thomas Weigel (GER). I can now tell you that TeamBath/MCTA is very proud to announce that 16 year old Sid Hazarika took the boys ITF title! This is Sid’s first ITF title and he did it showing a new found level of huge mental toughness! The final was a thrilling encounter, albeit pretty nerve racking. At the start the German opponent got off to a flyer forcing Sid to be on the back foot a lot, but Sid managed to hold serve and stay very positive and focused. At 4-4 Sid took the first break of the set but unfortunately did not hold his own serve.  Yet again Sid raised his level after the disappointment of being broke and once again broke his opponent. With some very smart serving and a steel mind Sid took the first set 7-5. All throughout the tournament Sid’s opponent had looked very strong mentally and looked like he did not get flustered by much, (typical German mentality) he made the final after being a set and a break down in the semi against Kyle Edmond. So knowing this, Sid’s game plan was to be equally as tough and take the chances when they arrived. Sid held serve at the start of the second and then took a break to go 4-1 up. At this point Weigel raised his game and began serving rockets and became very aggressive from the back levelling the set at 4-4. The set then became very very close and Sid, to his credit remained very positive and competed, well but lost it on the tie break.

The third set was much the same both players showing off very high levels of tennis and fantastic focus on the big points. At 4-4 Sid played some outstanding tennis and got the vital break. As Sid changed ends and came over to where I was sat he gave me a nervous smile and said, “I gotta hold serve now!” So with some tough serving and aggressive forehands, taking each point one by one, Sid finally took the title on the 5^th time of asking, come on!!!!

I have to say it was an absolute privilege to watch Sid win his first ITF title and doing it with such strength of mind and aggression was a real sign that Sid has now reached another level. After congratulating him when he came off his words were, “my god imagine having to be that focused for 5 sets, I’m absolutely knackered!”

So as most of our players move on to Newcastle ITF, Winchester or Solihull I am returning to the south for a few rays of sunshine and a mountain of ironing!