RJ Tennis Community
Summer/Fall 2001

Summer 2001 looks to be the Carvajal's best summer yet.  However, Kenny's getting his motivation back.

MATCH RECAPS

December 31, New Years Match up

A quick match that was cut short due to improper equipment by Carvajal.  Lucas takes the match 6-4, 0-1 before stoppage of play.

December 18, Christmas Match Up

Carvajal and Lucas took to the courts this morning for yet another battle supreme. The Christmas spirit was in the air, the jingle of bells could be heard, and the swaying of the bubble made us feel like we were playing on the Princess Royale. 

Lucas had played late into the previous evening. He was worried about his lack of consistency. Carvajal was up late Christmas shopping. He was worried about finishing his shopping.

The morning showdown started evenly. Carvajal forehandeth, Lucas forhandeth, Carvajal backhandeth, Lucas bandhandeth, Carvajal lobeth, Lucas smasheth. All even until Lucas gets a pivotal break of serve to go up 4-3. However, Carvajal scratches back with a break of his own. Holding serves, the score goes to 5-5. Lucas smasheth again for a second break and the hold of serve for the first set 7-5 victory.

The second set saw a resurgent Carvajal, a confident Carvajal, and a hopeful Carvajal. Racing out to a 3-1 lead, Carvajal had all his weapons firing. Ouzis, scuds and spears were coming at Lucas (not real Christmassy, I'd like to add). Shrapnel flew from the court. Then the Christmas spirt reigned down on Carvajal. Carvajal offered up the next four games to Lucas as an early Christmas present. Lucas lead 5-3 with the opportunity to close the match.

The final few games showed a different side of Carvajal. The usual generous, gracious and humble(?) Carvajal turned into an indian-giver. Carvajal stole the next two games which evened the set. Two huge, tiresome and tough service holds followed, tying the set at 6-6. Unfortunately, time expired and the match was unable to be concluded.

Carvajal quotes, "I consider this a victory. It wasn't a win, but it wasn't a loss." Lucas quotes, "I should have closed out the match. Carvajal played great. He's tenacious. I consider this a tie."

Carvajal and Lucas would like to wish everyone "Happy Holidays". We hope the holidays and the new year find your tennis game in fantastic form.

December 11 - Lucas vs. Carvajal, Rob's Responsibility

This morning I (Rob) was playing in a tennis match against quite a strong tennis player. My objective during the match was to win. My plan to win was to stick with the mechanics of the ground strokes and serves and to do my best to not allow myself to get caught up in the emotion of the moment. I knew that if I were to allow myself to get caught up in the moment, then my mechanics would start to deteriorate. I felt I was ready for this match. I had been training with intensity and with one focus: that being of beating my opponent on the tennis court. We spun the racquet to see who would serve first. I won the spin. It was a tough match from point one. Both of us running down shots that would normally be winners against other opponents. Just about every game going to deuce. Despite my tenacity my serve let me down and I double faulted on some critical points. Yep, my serve let me down. That is what I had started to think. I even started to believe it for a moment. 

Then I thought about what I would say to you guys if I were watching you play this very same match. There I was playing this match and thinking of how I would be coaching you guys. Then it hit me. It was then that I had to accept responsibility for serving double faults. It wasn’t my serve that let me down. It was me, myself and I, who let me down. I am in control of my body. There is not some foreign alien within me who takes over my body when I step up to the baseline to serve. Yes, I lost the match 4-6, 5-7. Ughh! Let me say that again. I LOST THE MATCH. I can pinpoint it to some sloppy form on my forehands here and there. Also, I can pinpoint it to some double faults here and there due to poor mechanics. And I can also pinpoint it on the adroit 6'2" guy with cat like reactions on the other side of the net! So what's next?

I am going to work on executing my mechanics when I practice. I am going to do it over and over and over again, so that when it comes time to compete again, I will be ready. I am not going to leave winning up to chance. I am going to do everything I can to be prepared so that I may play to the best of my ability. Now, come up and talk to me and let me know what I said.

November 17 - Lucas vs. Carvajal, In the Sun

Rob won a closely contested battle on his home court, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 (I think).  The sun was tough and Rob was able to deal with it much better.  

Today, Rob had the answers, Kenny had the questions.

November 8 - Lucas vs. Carvajal, It's Landon's Fault

Carvajal and Lucas took to the lighted courts for another round of ground-stroking, volleying, smashing and aggravation. Preceding the nights festivities, Lucas had won four straight matches. Carvajal was looking for a win, he needed a win, he longed for the elusive win.

It's Landon's fault.

Earlier this week at Rob and Kenny's winter doubles league, Landon made the remark that Kenny should take some pace off the ball. Landon quotes, "It's important to develop a game that you will have day in and day out."

Carvajal and Lucas started by hitting balls that looked like they were shot out of a cannon. A hard serve was followed with a foray of hard ground-strokes flying back and forth. However, it was Lucas' right bicep that applied the extra power and precision to come away with the first set victory 6-3.

Lucas started thinking about taking some pace off the ball. Thinking to himself, "I should try to find the angles rather than simply mashing it back into the court." This was obviously not Lucas' game. Carvajal hung in there, playing his game, playing consistently, hitting winners and letting Lucas make unforced errors.

It's Landon's fault.

Landon quotes to Kenny, "You're not going to be able to mash the ball consistently every time on the court. Toning down the hard hits with off-pace consistency is a good weapon."

Carvajal played well and led the second set 6-5, before breaking Lucas for the 7-5 set victory. Lucas was determined to try to play the soft game, the consistent game, in the end ... the losing game.

Carvajal came out strong in the 3rd set, taking an early 3-1 lead. Lucas never looked forward, and Carvajal never looked back, as Carvajal closed the set out 6-1. A frustrating loss due to some bad advice.

Landon quotes, "I was talking with Rob earlier in the week trying to help him with a plan to beat Kenny. Rob mentioned to me that when Kenny slows play down, he makes more mistakes. I took the opportunity to advise Kenny that he can't always play the power game and he should work on his consistency. Obviously, the desired results were achieved."

It's Landon's fault.

October 10 - Lucas vs. Carvajal, Under the Fairfax Station Lights

Last night was a pounding, sprinting and jousting tennis match. It was tough tennis, not for the faint of heart. Carvajal and Lucas took to the lighted courts at Fairfax Station on a clear, cool evening.

In what has become all to typical fashion, Carvajal raced out of the blocks to capture the first set 6-4. It was a close set, a few breaks thrown in for good measure. Carvajal looked good, especially the backhand down-the-line return winner on the ad side of the court.

The second in typical fashion went to Lucas, 6-3. There were a ton of long rallies, tough net play, and hustle. It was exhausting work for Lucas to level the match at 1 set each.

Lucas was expecting to roll over Carvajal quickly in the third set. Lucas felt his game was back on, serves were hard and well placed, backhand and forehand were crisp and deep. However, it was Carvajal who jumped out to the quick 2-0 lead. Carvajal served at 2-0 in what will be known as one of our more fantastic games we've played. Lucas emerged with the break to get the set back on serve. Lucas quotes, "1-2" as he serves the 4th game.

Lucas held serve for 2-2 and broke for 3-2. Visions of 4-2 were dancing in Lucas' head, but to no avail. Carvajal was able to break right back to level the set at 3-3. 

It was time for the men to separate themselves from the boys. Lucas asserted his will to continue winning matches. Lucas held serve for 4-3, then a break for 5-3. Lucas found himself serving for the match. 

Carvajal's mind was awash in developing a game plan. I've got the goods, I've got the drive. He thought to himself, "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?" 

However, Lucas put his best foot forward (which is very sore today) and closed the match out 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Lucas has won the last 4 matches between the juggernauts and has begrudgingly moved into the #1 spot. Lucas quotes, "Sure, it's great to be #1. But Carvajal is going to be so driven to reclaim it. It's going to be very difficult to hold on to."

September 27 - Lucas vs. Carvajal, Showdown at Wakefield Park

Rob is serving at love-40, 3-5 in the tie breaking 3rd set.  Lucas eyes 3 match points. 15-40, 30-40, 40-40.  Man oh man, Kenny wishes this wasn't happening.  Three consecutive match point saves, 11 total in the past two matches.  Rob won't give up.  Advantage Kenny, then the backhand down-the-line service return for the winner ... whew!

Rob and Kenny set out for another epic battle under the lights at Wakefield Park.  As a precursor, Michelle's homemade chili was served up as dinner for the two athletes.

The first set was a struggle for Kenny, routine for Carvajal.  Rob was consistent, had great hustle and looked like he came to play.  Kenny had quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first set, but faltered from there.  Carvajal rolled off six consecutive games to take the first set 6-3.  

A reborn Lucas stood back to receive serve, thus starting the second set.  A new set, a better set, my set;  all thoughts going through the mind of Lucas.  Lucas held serve, as did Carvajal for each opponents first two service games.  Lucas considered this a huge success, considering he had lost his previous three service games.  Kenny's game started to take shape, backhands had pace, forehands more consistent.  Carvajal still looked good, but felt a twinge of nervousness as Lucas' shoulders relaxed and the shots came more natural.

Lucas rolled off four consecutive games to take the second set 6-2.  What a turnaround!  The third set would decide the match.  Each player held serve through 3-3, until Lucas cashed in on a service break to go up 4-3.  Holding serve for 5-3, then claiming the match for a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory.

A ranking change may be in order if Lucas is able to capitalize on the next match; thus making it four in a row.  Rob is determined to not let this happen.  Only time will tell.

September 22 - Lucas vs. Carvajal, Post Jamaican Clash

I was ready for this match especially after Ken had beaten me in the 5th set in Jamaica. My ground strokes were feeling good. My back hand was feeling better than ever. My serve, usually innocuous to the adroitness of the mighty Lucas, was feeling good as well. Mentally and physically, I was ready to compete. All aspects of my game were converging at a good time. However, in the warm-up, I could sense that Lucas's game was ready for the challenge. This was going to be a fun match. Both of us were at the top of our games and both of us did not want to lose!

Ken won the toss and elected to serve first. From the first point the message was clear. No one was going to lose the match. One of us was going to have to win it. That first set he broke me early on. It was 2-5 and I was only down a break. I couldn't believe it. I felt good about my game but the score seemed like he was trouncing me. I held serve for 3-5. Then I broke to get back onto serve 4-5. I was serving and ready to take command of this first set. I think it was 30 love and then Michelle, his wife called, something must have happened during that call. He came back from the call and smacked a return serve winner and then went on to win the game!

The next set went on a series of break of serves but found ourselves at 6-6 in the second set. The tie-breaker ensued. Ken came out fighting. He jumped out to a 6-2 lead. I was playing well too. I wasn't giving him any free points. Match point was now on his racquet. In fact, a myriad of them were. I didn't give up though. I kept rallying and working the point. He hit this great shot that drew a weak, very weak, reply and the ball sat up at the net. Ken came in for the kill and shot it dead into the net! There was still hope. 

I don't know what happened next but it was now 7-6 in the tie-breaker and I was up. I had set point on my racquet but neither of us really blew it. Both of us were hitting winners and forcing the plays to win the points. The next time I can remember was 10-11 and Ken was up. We had a long rally and I hit the ball to his back hand. I was ready for his reply. However, he hit this amazing crosscourt Marat Safin like winner. There was nothing I could do. He won the match. I went up to the net and said, "That was one great match. I played my best and you beat me. Congratulations."

It was a great match. Ken won. Thoroughly a great time.

September 8 - Lucas vs. Carvajal, Jamaican Style

After a week long of hitting tennis balls back and forth across the net. After a week of watching the US Open on the big tv and getting inspired. After a week of scuba diving, snorkeling, taking the hobie out in the bay, doing the daily laps in the swimming pool and after all of the eating that was done (not one meal was missed). After all that it was time to play our best of 5 match.

On Saturday morning we had set out to eat breakfast at 7:30 AM and then to hit the tennis courts. We were a bit delayed in getting up but did eat and hit the courts at 8:30 AM. Some of you may be surprised but we were even able to get some of the visitors to the resort and some of the employees interested in the match and its outcome. They would stroll by to check upon the progress and then note how crazy we were to be playing in such heat.

The first set both Ken and Rob came out hitting but it was Ken's drop shot that was the difference in the set and in the match as well. He broke Rob and won at 6-4.

The second set Rob dominated as of days of former glory. He trounced Ken 6-0. Lucas hit volleys wide, ground strokes in the net, and watched passing shots go by left and right. In the third set Rob went up 3-0 but Ken fought valiantly back to 4-4, but fell short losing 4-6. 

Now Rob is up 2 sets to 1. It was clear that Rob was tired. His body language was that of a sloth making its way up a tree. Ken Trounced Rob 6-2. Now the match is tied with 2 sets a piece.

Rob comes back to life and both Ken and Rob hold serve at 4-4. Rob gets one break point against Ken but was not able to convert. Ken holds serve to go up 5-4. Now Rob serves to stay in the match. However, Ken's returns were blistering and Rob was down quickly to love forty. Rob fought back to 30-40 and then hit a short high ball, whereupon, Ken charged the net and finished off the point and match with a down the line overhead.

The score was 6-4, 0-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. It was a good match played by both sides. Ken had a little more juice in him. Rob was hurting. "I think it was all of the desserts that I had eaten all week long!" Rob said later. "I could feel all of those cheese cakes, key lime pies, chocolate cakes, jelly roles and other Jamaican deserts holding me back!" Rob stated as he headed back to the restaurant for lunch.

August 23 - Lucas vs. Carvajal

What is all this nonsense about Carvajal owning Kenny, Adam & Dan?  What's the business with Carvajal taking over the #1 spot, anyways?  Well, let's just say that this prestigious position is now in jeopardy for the revived Carvajal.  

Lucas has re-motivated himself to tennis, putting hockey a bit on the back burner.  Lucas has been practicing frequently and re-developed a love for the game.  Obviously, this re-commitment has paid off.

Lucas and Carvajal squared up for another epic 2 out of 3 battle last week.  Carvajal, bent on winning yet another match against Lucas to show the young whipper-snapper that he's got less game.  Lucas, who has lost the previous outings, has decided he has had enough L's and wants more W's.

Lucas started out each set strong, winning the first two games.  Several breaks were traded, however at the crucial 9th game of each set is when Lucas applied himself.  Lucas took a 6-4, 6-4 victory to the bank, to the scoreboards, to the fans, and back home to tell Michelle of the sweet victory.

Carvajal and Lucas will be squaring up many times next week in Negril, Jamaica.  One week of tennis, tennis, tennis, plus scuba, snorkel, pina colada, wind-surfing, swimming, etc.

Carvajal looks to show this one match lose was a fluke.  Lucas looks to show this is the way it's going to be.

August 10 - Rob vs. Adam, Kenny & Dan

Rob is on a roll. Arguably the hottest tennis player of the summer of 2001. For the last couple of years the RJ Tennis Pros dismissed Rob as one of having moved on in years and no longer a viable contender on the tennis courts. However, Rob had a lot to say about that.

The first match was against Adam Miller. Adam's game has improved over the years after being WT Woodson's #1 player 5 years ago. He is much smarter on the tennis courts and is not easily intimidated. With all of his strengths going into the match with Rob he, nevertheless, fell short. Rob patiently rallied with Adam from baseline to baseline and with Rob's new semi-western grip, Adam was no match. Rob used top spin to lull Adam to sleep handing him a 6-3, 6-3 defeat.

Then cam Kenny Lucas. Ken had been watching Patrick Rafter on tv. He had been studying him and learning from the master. On the courts it looked like Rob was playing Patrick Rafter. Kenny had jumped out to a commanding 4-0 lead. With a total of 18 points played in the first 4 games, Ken had 16 winners and just 2 unforced errors. Rob was shell shocked to say the least. He knew that the match was going to be over in about 15 minutes if he didn't do something.

"My game plan was to not go for any winners with him. Heck, the way he was playing there was no way I could hit a winner. I just wanted to make him hit one more ball," Rob commented after the match. With Rob down love four he rallied with Ken and made him hit one more ball putting a little more pressure on Ken to go for little bit more. The plan worked. Drawing Ken into complete frustration. Rob reeled off the next 11 games to go up 6-4, 5-0. 

Ken wasn't going to go down and once again played brilliant tennis to rally back to 3-5 in the second set. But too much, too little and too late. Rob won a close deuce game with a cross court return of serve winner to win 6-4, 6-3.

The next guy was Dan Elder. Dan had spanked Rob the last time they played. It wasn't even close. So when Rob had set up this match, Dan was overheard saying, "Rob doesn't stand a chance against me. His best tennis tennis is long behind him. He is an old guy now". Yep! Rob is an old guy but he certainly knew how to play this young, cocky buck. They played at 9:30 AM on Friday morning in 95 degrees. It was hot out there and thick.

The first 3 games took 20 minutes to play. The rallies were long and arduous. Rob said after the match, "I was thinking that I was going to be out there all day. Both of hitting with such heavy top spin. I was not going to last." However, Rob's virile, vigorous and potent game was more than Dan could handle. Rob trounced Dan 6-2, 6-2. Ouch! 

Dan was a really good sport. I am sure the next time Dan will come with a little more respect.

Rob was asked how he felt, "I FEEL LIKE I AM KING OF THE WORLD!" he replied. "Yes, I am ready to take on Ryan Sheehan. He has beaten me the last 5 to 6 times that we have played. If I can get his return back, there is no telling what will happen," Rob said.

The RJ TENNIS saga continues...

July ? - Carvajal/Lucas vs. Miller/Elder

It wasn't much of a match.  Carvajal/Lucas dismantled Miller/Elder in a lopsided 2 set victory.