Page 104 - Wish Stream Year of 2019

Army Tennis Tour 2019
OCdt Harry Randle
The Army tennis team travelled to the United States for their tennis tour. The two week- long tour of Arizona and California only takes place every three years. When I realised it was scheduled to take place while I was at Sandhurst – you can imagine my disappoint- ment. That was until one of the lucky ten had to drop out at the eleventh hour. Upon return- ing back at the Academy from our first exercise of Senior Term, Churchill’s Challenge, I received a text from the Army Tennis Captain saying a space was now available.
The following morning, we were up early and off to San Diego where we would play the University of San Diego. A tiring six-hour drive through the desert showed how vast a country America is. When we arrived, the campus was like some- thing out of a James Bond film with the tennis centre tucked away around the back. Here we played the US College format of a ‘Pro Set’ which is first to eight games. Net cords from first serves are playable and to anyone reading this who plays – it always catches you out. Having not played since the first week of August at the
Inter Service Championships, I was a bit rusty. I posted competitive scores in both my singles games, adopting serve and volley tactics and tried to slice through my opponents – yes, I grew up on grass! A highlight for me was hearing the coach com- ment to one of the players “this is a good match for you” – I took it as a compliment.
We next drove to North Arizona to play Northern Arizona University. The climate changed once more and we slowly ascended up to a height of 7,000 feet (2,134m) above sea level. To put
that into perspective, it is like playing on top of an average
I tested the water with my Colour
Sergeant, who was very support-
ive, and, before I knew it, my let-
ter was in to the OC. The request
was approved, and so too from
the College Commander. I was
to join the team for the remain-
ing week of the tour. I booked
my flight and was on my way.
After connecting at LAX and flying into Phoenix, I drove to the Phoenix Country Club where the team had played an afternoon fixture. The mem- bers laid on a fantastic BBQ and it was great to catch up with the team after a long day of travel.
Here we played the US College format of a ‘Pro Set’ which is first to eight games.
102 SANDHURST