RJ Tennis Community
2002

2002, when the men are separated from the boys.  This is the 9th year of the Carvajal/Lucas battle royales.  Lucas has had the upper hand in 2001, and looks to keep it for another year. 

MATCH RECAPS

The Monkey is Gone

There has always been a certain annoying monkey that I (Kenny) have carried on my back since high school. I remember the try-outs for WT Woodson's Coach Rembold tennis team.  He was also my geometry teacher.  I guess I was too obtuse for him, along with the Captain of the team Scott Kelly.  I failed to make the team that year.  One particular memory was losing a set competition to Mike Camp with the score 2-6 in tryouts.

Danny Clarke has carried no monkey, no bad memories of high school failure, no bad tennis memories at all.  How many times did he win the District singles title?  Well, none, but that doesn't matter.  Danny has always had the upper-hand versus Lucas.

In two (possibly three) previous Clarke-Lucas match-ups, Danny has put his best foot forward.  Lucas has put his two left feet forward.  Miserable monkey failures by Kenny, glorious stellar victories by Clarke.  That was, at least, until last Saturday.

Clarke/Lucas took to the Springfield courts for another match-up.  It was one that Lucas has been training for, that Clarke has been fearing.  A quick start for Lucas to capture the first set 6-2.  Wow, I couldn't believe it, I actually won a set from Danny.  Far from the match, but still a set.

The second set saw more tenacity from Clarke.  Harder serves, more serve-volley, more angle on the ground-strokes.  Clarke was up an early break but Lucas evened the score at 4-4, then 5-5, then 6-6.  The tie-breaker cometh.  A tight breaker that led to an 8-6 victory for Clarke.  

Now, the advantage was in Lucas' corner.  Danny began to wear down, feeling the effects of feeding the baby at 3AM, then playing with the child for an hour or two.  He got up early and went to work, giving an estimate to the "Nobody bothers me" Karate kid's uncle.  

Clarke was out of gas, Kenny was full of gas (figuratively).  A trouncing in the 3rd set as Kenny hit winners left and right for the 6-2, 6-7 (6-8), 6-1 victory.

No more monkeys, no more regrets, no more loss of sleep.  I consider it a victory against every WT Woodson high school player that was better than me for all those years, and all future years.  The monkey is no more.

Mentally Sound

An excerpt from Sports Illustrated April edition:

SI:  Mr. Lucas, your name is easy to spell, can you help me with Carrrvehall's ?
Ken:  U-N-B-R-E-A-K-A-B-L-E .. at least that's how you spelled for the first 16 games of our match Saturday.  I was completely unable to break his serve.  He got an early break in the first set to go up 3-1, and I never got any closer.  He closed the set out at 6-4.  It was like that at the beginning of the 2nd set as well.  

SI: But, Kenny, you won the second set?
Ken:  What?  Oh yea, amazing isn't it.  I honestly thought I was done and going to lose 4 & 4.  Somehow I got the break back to even it at 5.  Then broke again to hold on for the 7-5 set win.  I'm still perplexed.  I just kept fighting.

SI: What happened in the 3rd set?
Ken:  Typical stuff, Carvajal jumps out again to gain a break.  This was a tight set.  It was all tied up again at 5-5, then 6-6.  3rd set tie-breaker .. it doesn't get any better than that.  

SI:  I'd favor Carvajal in a tie-break, as would most of the tennis world.
Ken:  What?  You crack-smoker, I jumped out to a 3-0 lead before Carvajal tied it up 4-4.  then 5-5.  I was fortunate to get to 6 first, thus earning the first match point.  I won it when Carvajal's passing shot went wide.

SI:  So what's next between Carvajal / Lucas?
Ken:  Well, Wednesday we play on the same side of the net for USTA play.  After that, I'm sure we'll be looking to mash each other in another head-to-head battle.

SI:  Thank you for your time, Lucas.
Ken:  Hey, next time, try interviewing Carvajal.

 An Unexpected Match

Carvajal and Lucas took to the International Country Club last night for the season's final winter doubles match. However, due to some confusion in the ranks, four teams showed when only three were necessary. Lucas and Carvajal dropped off the doubles squad, and took to the open court for yet another singles battle.

The court was very hard clay, not much dusting on top, quicker than your average clay. Carvajal was prepared, many hours in the gym dropped his body fat below 13%, quicker and stronger than your average player. Lucas came to play, freshly off a 2-hour clinic at Van Der Meer in Hilton Head, more confident that your average player.

The "Inner Game of Tennis" was the difference, along with well placed serves and returns. Lucas rolled to a 6-2, 6-3 victory over his opponent. CNN Sports caught up with Lucas after the match for a post-game interview.

CNN: Lucas, you looked very good out there. What do you credit?
Lucas: I'm as surprised as you are. Carvajal gave me a lesson last night, telling me to hit the ball early. The serve, well, I just threw my toss higher and that gave me the angles I needed.

CNN: The upcoming USTA season is coming. What are your chances to do well?
Lucas: I think they're very good with Carvajal on my side. Both of us are tired of the 4.0 rating and are looking to prove we belong in the 4.5 league.

CNN: What about the rest of the year for Carvajal vs. Lucas? 
Lucas: I've always got to stay sharp. Carvajal's never going away, he's crafty. And look! There he is, "Hey, get away from my tennis racquets with those scissors!" Carvajal !!!!!

A Season of Change

The 2001 Winter / 2002 Spring 4.5 Northern Virginia Tennis League has been challenging, enlightening and disappointing. The team of Carvajal-Lucas has been challenged by very worthy opponents, enlightened as to how much further our games must improve, and a little disappointing due to some of the set opportunities we have faltered on (i.e. serving at 5-2 and losing the set). The experience learned from the winter's 4.5 league greatly benefits the Carvajal-Lucas team.

Last night Carvajal-Lucas set out with high hopes to dominate the court, as we once were so accustomed to doing. Despite few victories this season, despite Kenny being a little fatigued from two hours of roller hockey before the match, and despite Rob being distracted by the workouts he is planning with his personal trainer, the team of Carvajal-Lucas reigned supreme for a few moments, thus recording a 6-3, 7-5 victory.

It was a sweet victory in a series of very tough matches. For the moment, Carvajal-Lucas have their tennis world orbiting perfectly. The orbit will be challenged again this Saturday night at Renaissance @930PM.

The USTA 4.0 league tennis play begins soon. High expectations are forming. Confidence is building. Skills are honing. A joyous season is soon upon us.

Carvajal's Season To Be ???

Monday, January 14, 2002

My 2002 tennis results:

Rob 0-1, 2-6, 6-3, 5-7

Here I am going into the 2002 season with many matches against Lucas to go. I have posted my results from the season thus far. I have been trying to think of what I could possibly say that I haven’t already said. I know it is quite difficult to stand here and tell myself what has to be done day in and day out. I work to inspire myself, to motivate myself, to challenge myself, to help myself think on the court, to help myself see the big picture, to help myself make goals, to demand more from myself, and on and on it goes. 

Although the end of the year is far away, soon I will be in reality and competing against Lucas. It will then all come clear to myself as to why I challenged myself to grow as I have. It will be then that I will see that all that I was doing was to help prepare myself to be a strong and confident tennis player.

So now that the 2002 season is here, it is my decision on how badly I want to win. It is up to me to decide how well I want to do this year. I never want to go into a competition with my only hope of doing well, is hoping my opponent will do poorly. What a sad strategy that is. I want to go into this season knowing that I put forth my best efforts and energies to put it all on the line. I never want to look back and say, “What if?” So here is my chance to put it all on the line. Here is my opportunity to step up to the plate and start playing some hard ball. Again, the decision is mine. What is it going to be?

January  - Rob's Post Match Interview with Sports Illustrated

An article found in last weeks Sports Illustrated.

SI: I understand you lost a close match to your closest rival, Ken Lucas, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4?

Rob: Yes, I have to say it was one of my most disappointing losses that I have ever had against him.

SI: Disappointing in what way?

Rob: I certainly had my chances to assert myself in the match.

SI: No kidding!

Rob: HEY! What kind of interview is this?

SI: Sorry, What were you saying about your blown chances?

Rob: Well, in the first set I had many chances to break Ken and take command of the set. However, he played those big points quite well. That first set appears to have been a blow out, but we were fighting it out for each point.

SI: 6-2 is fairly one sided no matter how you try to look at it.

Rob: What's up with you, man?

SI: Oh, uhmmm...However, that second set things seemed to turn around for you. Can you recap what happened?

Rob: Sure. Again, even though I know the score appeared to be rather one sided, I knew we were neck and neck. I was just going to hang in there and keep playing my game. I was going to try to cut back on some of my unforced errors and play my game. As you recall, I jumped out to a 3-0 commanding lead. Then we had this one long arduous game. He ended up breaking me that game, but I never felt that I was going to lose the set. I was playing confiden...

SI: Yes, I see. But then Ken won the third set 6-4 as usual, right?

Rob: (fidgeting in his chair looking a bit frustrated and vexed) Like I said, I was playing quite confidently. I felt good about my game and my chances for winning the match. I broke Ken right off the bat and then held serve. Soon it was 4-2 and I was all set to go up 5-2 and take this match. 

SI: Does it bother you that some have called your 3rd set loss similar to that of Jana Novotna against 
Steffi Graf, or the loss that Agassi had in semi's of Wimbledon against Rafter?

Rob: NO ONE HAS SAID THAT ABOUT MY GAME! What's with these questions?! Yes, I lost my serve at love, but I also did that in the first set, the second set and so many times in previous matches. It happens like that quite often. I was serving at 4-4 and at 40-love. My game was back in stride and feeling good when Ken hit a blistering serve that caught the back of the service line to move the score to 40-15. From that point on Ken never looked back. He picked up his game and hit the lines. Mind you that was only one of several ways he is able to beat me. He has to hit the lines. He has to hit the winners or I am going to wear him down.

SI: That's right. Apparently you have been working out at the gym and have dropped a few pounds and have firmed up a bit. When do you think you should start seeing some results?

Rob: What do you mean, "when should I start seeing results"? I already have. If you don't remember, Lucas used to have quite a stronghold over me. It didn't seem like there was anything I could do to thwart his game. I have made some inroads. I have been closing the gap between us. Although Ken will always be faster and stronger than I will be, my increased speed and strength on the court has helped to make him think he might need a game plan to beat me (some what). I will beat Ken one day soon. I will take command over this rivalry. I will...

SI: Thank you for your time. Now, where's the champ?

January 3 - Player Update (Joe Hilger)

Joe Hilger has decided to make a run for the RJ Tennis Title.  His smack talk has begun for the 2002 season.  Joe "True Freshman" Hilger from Boston College will receive a rude awakening to the RJ Tennis Team ladder.  As a favor to Hilger, he's ranked 3rd.  This way he isn't sitting at the bottom of the ladder for both the beginning and the end of the 2002 season.

January 3, It's a Wonderful Life

Lucas remains undefeated in 2002, extending his 2002 record to 1-0.  A morning match up at Four Seasons resulted in a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 win for Lucas.  The first set was a blistering laser show by Lucas, as shots went by Carvajal in all directions.  However, Carvajal asserted himself in the second set.  Taking a quick lead 2-0 in the set, Carvajal looked to hold serve to run the set.  To his liking, another break of the Lucas served allowed Carvajal to win the set 6-3.

A new set.  A new chance.  A new life.  Lucas did not want to waste it.  After playing not so well in the second set and having Carvajal make mince meat out of him, Lucas starts the third set confidently.  Oops, Lucas again goes down 0-2.  "How is this happening?" Lucas is heard muttering to himself.  "Carvajal is really playing well, I think he wants to win this match."

Carvajal is feeling good, he's playing good, and he looks good.  Carvajal quotes, "The 2-0 lead in the set was good, but I knew that Lucas was going to mount a charge.  I'm going to have to equal his effort." 

A break by Lucas put the set score back to 2-2, and then the players held service games until 4-4.  The 9th game of the set to come.  For those of you unknowing tennis, the 9th game of the set is huge.  A break of serve by a player allows the breaker to serve for the match.  Holding for the 9th game (and subsequent 11th game, if necessary) is tantamount. 

Carvajal served for the 9th game, but committed the ultimate penalty by being broken.  Lucas had a chance to serve for the match.  The game was won by Lucas at love.  A hard fought, memorable and encouraging win for Lucas.  An incredibly disappointing loss for Carvajal.

Match Notes:  Carvajal is really running well.  His exercise of running and lifting is seriously paying off for his tennis game.  He's stronger, faster and able to run down balls previously out of reach.  Rob's forehand is very good, his backhand is improving and able to hit winners on ad-side wide serves.  His net game and overheads are good.  Rob's serve has improved dramatically the past year.  He's able to hit aces, put significant pace on the ball, and place it on both sides of the service box on both sides of the court.   Lucas thinks that if Rob continues to work hard on his game in 2002, the balance of power may shift (a little).

Here comes 2002, trounce or be trounced.