Hey there, fellow tennis enthusiasts It’s your girl Mia Johnson-Carter here, living the dream in Miami. I’m super excited to share some awesome news with you all about my journey to the semis in Villach, Austria. It’s been quite the ride, and I’m thrilled to take you through it.
The Rainy Morning in Villach
I recently competed in the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour, specifically the MT 700 tournament in Villach, Austria. The morning was quite soggy, with rain pouring down, and my match was delayed until 1:30 PM. I was scheduled to warm up at 8:30 AM, but that didn’t happen as planned. The delay was a bit frustrating, but it’s all part of the game, right?
Despite the weather, I managed to get on court around 1:45 PM and faced Elizabeth Oetsch of Austria. She’s a retired schoolteacher who taught mathematics and sports—a combination we don’t often see in the USA. I won the match in about an hour, which was a great feeling after a long wait.
Scouting and Preparation
After my match, I had some time to scout my next opponent, Yvette De Roche from Switzerland. She had a great comeback today after losing the first set 6-0 to win the match 6-2 in the third. It looks like she’s having a good year, so I’ll need to be ready for her in the semis.
Practical Tips
While in Villach, I managed to change the return location of my rental car from Klagenfurt to Villach, which saved me an hour of driving on Saturday. It cost me just 4 euros, which is less than the fuel to drive to Klagenfurt would have cost. I could have driven it to Vienna, but I already had a train ticket, and taking the train seemed much easier.
Upcoming Matches
Tomorrow, I have the semis of both singles and doubles at 9 AM and noon. I also plan to get some diesel for my car and scout around perhaps. It’s going to be a busy day, but I’m excited for the challenge.
The Tennis Community
Tennis really is a small world. During my stay in Helsinki, I met Aylin from Turkey, who is also competing in the 40s here. It’s amazing how connections can be made through the sport we love.
Importance of Inclusive Initiatives
Initiatives like the Pacific Women and Girls in Tennis – Emerging Leaders workshop are crucial for fostering a more inclusive and supportive community within the sport. These programs empower women and girls to develop their skills, build confidence, and become leaders within tennis. It’s inspiring to see how these initiatives are creating opportunities for women to shine in the tennis world.
High School Tennis Spotlight
For those interested in high school tennis, there’s some exciting news from Ohio. The Ohio Tennis Zone has been tracking top players and their performances throughout the state. Check out the latest rankings and news from Ohio high school tennis—it’s like a mini-tennis tournament right here in America!
Conclusion
Well, that’s my story for now. I hope you enjoyed following along with my journey to the semis. If you want, you can check out the news where I found it here.
Yours truly,
Mia
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