Competiton ...

People who love competition, just love it. Period. Full Stop.

For many years, I took tennis lessons from Allie Ritzenberg, the legendary pro at the clay courts at St. Alban's, in Washington, DC, a tennis town if ever there was one.

Allie grew up during the Depression. Despite his wonderful athletic gifts, it was decided he would not go on the tour.

Under Allie's tutelage, I got mildy good at the game, and loved it.

One morning, after I took my practice overheads, net shots and serves, I suggested to Allie, that we play some games.

He won the first couple, of course. Then, mostly on luck, but with a little bit of skill, I took a game from him.

He was a a very mild-mannered man and slight of build.

Whack, whack, whack! He blew me off the court. He just didn't like losing.

He taught into his late eighties, as I recall it. That was after by-pass surgery.

He played, and won, Senior tournaments all over the world.

He made his house into a tennis museum, with an incredible array of tennis memorabilia.

He wanted it stay whole, not be auctioned of as individual pieces. I believe it went to the tennis museum at Newport RI.

I have just watched a wonderful sports DVD, The Greatest Game. A teenage caddy rises to challenge, and beat, the best golfers in the game.

His tutor, tells him a good golfer, never blows his stack.

I love sports competition. I try not to blow my cool. I am usually, not always, successful. I'm working on it, in tennis, and life. It's not so easy.

Ben