04.02.2010
My Orange Bowl experience by Andrew Ruppli
In December I left behind the snow and the cold for the 'Sunshine State' to play in the Junior Orange Bowl tennis tournament in Miami . This was to be one of the best experiences of my life and a great adventure. After the long flight, it was good to get to our base in Coral Gables where we were staying for the duration of the tournament. The under 14 girls competition was being held at our hotel, and so I had the chance to practice on site with a few kids who were in the qualifying draw. As we had arrived several days before the Main Draw, it gave me a chance to recover from the jet lag and get used to the sudden change in temperatures(Geneva -2 v Miami 30!). We had some time to explore, check out the official practice courts and find our way around, although it did not take long for the day of the Main Draw to arrive. Unfortunately, because I was the only participant from Switzerland, it was difficult for me to find sparing partners, as most of the other boys were in groups, and as the competition level was so high, their coaches were not happy for anyone from 'outside' to join them. This made it very difficult for me to find someone to practice with once the Main Draw was underway. My first match was at 9am in blistering heat and windy conditions. My partner was from Colombia and a strong player, especially physically. At first I found it hard to find my game and I managed to come back from 4-0 down in the first set to 5-5, but then he started to put enough pressure on me to take the set 7-5. In the second set I played well, but he just managed to take the lead after I made too many faults, as he took the first set, i didnt feel as confident which gave him the upper hand to take the match 7-5 6-4. The match was his, and although I felt I played well, he was stronger on that day. This was something that came across to me when I watched various other matches throughout the tournament, that the level of tennis was very close, but the mental was what it needed to take you to the higher level. There were no headlines for me in the competition, but it has taught me a lot and 'fired' me up for 2010. Due to the extremely hot temperatures we had experienced and the cold which then came down from the northern States, play was cancelled for 2 days due to 2 tornadoes which hit Miami, and which completely flooded the university complex where the competition was being held. We stayed to watch the finals, where the tennis level was very good, but where it was clear that it was the mental strength which gave the boy from Vietnam the win. I had 2 or 3 days to relax and enjoy Florida before returning to Geneva , and so we continued to enjoy some good food, lots of shopping, which was very cheap compared to Switzerland, and most of all I enjoyed my day swimming with the dolphins. For me this was the most fantastic experience - not only did I learn a lot, but it has given me a lot to think about for my future and how I am going to Andrew Ruppli 01.02.10