Page 50 - QARANC Vol 20 No 2 2022

50 The Gazette QARANC Association
Army Indoor Tennis Championship 2022
Sgt Chris Ganacias represented 204 (NI) Field Hospital, Belfast at the Army Tennis Indoor Championships Tournament in Aldershot earlier this year.
Since migrating to live and work as a nurse in Northern Ireland, then joining the Army Reserve, I have had the opportunity to be involved in this racket sport which I have loved for many years. 204 (NI) Fd Hosp has been very supportive and through such opportunities I have been able to further develop and enhance my abilities.
I had some previous success at the Army Tennis Camp in La Manga, Spain, in 2017 as Singles Runner up in the Veterans Handicap Tournament. The following summer I won and became champion. Then came the pandemic and I found myself, like everyone else, struggling to find time to continue playing sports.
On arrival at Aldershot, the memories started to flood back; and the realisation that absolutely nothing had changed, began to relax, and focus me. The atmosphere was electric, and competitors were buzzing with excitement.
The competition was strong. I played well in both qualifying matches and
won with relative ease scoring 4-0 on both. However, my opponent in the third match was the best of our group and ranked number one in the tournament. Playing the best Army tennis player, less than half my age, a certified LTA coach and with experience in the professional tour – I was certain I had no chance of winning.
I gave it my best, but it was a quick match. Nonetheless I enjoyed every second of it; and I admired the technique, power, agility, and mental strength that he possessed.
My fourth and last match, I had succumbed to my second defeat; recognising how physically demanding and enduring the sport was, never mind the age gap against these young and talented tennis players. With a score 0-4; that ended my campaign on the Men’s Singles Open.
I had more success in the Men’s Masters Open (placed as 7th seed) I managed to secure a win against the second seeded player of the category from the Army Air Corps, winning 4-2. It was an intense game where I relied
on resilience, fitness and stamina to see me through; and I was relieved that I had won but more importantly with my body intact.
The second and third match was relatively easy winning 4-0 on both giving myself time to regroup and replenish my energy levels for the next match against the event organiser. It was another intense game with each of us employing technical and physical tactics.
After winning 4-2, my final match was against a player from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Corps who proved to have a very consistent stroke and technique and therefore won. However, this was enough for me to earn a place for the quarterfinals where I was beaten by another strong AMS competitor.
I have missed some ‘normality’ with the restrictions of the pandemic and missed the social interaction but now I am looking forward to participating in more of the Army’s league events and the major tournaments.