Nostalgic Account: Sweet Relief: Why San Francisco's GLTF PacCup Team Win Means Everything

San Francisco GLTF 2022 Pac Cup Champions

I can't believe after 5 tries being on a Pac Cup Team, I'm finally on a winning team that are outright champions! My journey started in 2010 in San Diego, then 2013 in LA, 2016 in Portland, 2018 in Seattle, and the jackpot winners in 2022 in San Diego! Although this post is 4 years overdue, it sort of reminded me of what was finally accomplished and that it completed my bucket list of tennis wins.

After qualifying for this group, I was able to at least play in a doubles match against a team from the other locations in the west coast. Usually, when you are on this team, you would play a singles and a doubles match. Apparently, I got to play just doubles. Teams hail from Vancouver, BC, Canada, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and San Diego. San Diego was the host at that time.

Thrilled to be on a Winning Team! 

I knew this team was formidable. We practiced religiously up to the tournament weekend. Played constant practice matches, and also did several clinic drills and practices. We were a well-oiled team.

I'm so glad we won outright in San Diego. We were uniformed well, we weren't informal; other teams were more casual in appearance and in coherence. We really had the look of winners.

Doubles Partner: Jason - to my right ~ Aaron another winning Doubles Player

Right off the bat, we won nearly all of our singles matches, with just 3 losses out of 15.The doubles was also solid; we had a couple of tough matches, but it was more than enough to solidify a team win and take back the Pac Cup trophy that year.

San Francisco: The red dots tells it all

Since that team victory, I never really applied to get in on other teams in the ensuing years. It took so much out of me to just get on a team, and get to be on a winning team for a change. Five tries at that!

The Joy of Just Playing

I've not played as much tennis in the years following that team championship, but have been fortunate enough to play on league matches playing in doubles. As I get older, I'm a bit off by half a step. Back then, I would be able to chase down drop shots easily, but these days I'm enjoying the fact I can still be on court playing, period.

My mindset has changed over the years: instead of being super competitive on court, I'm happy to just make the shots and rally even though I don't come out with a match win. It's become more of a social experience these days.

Lately, I've become more of a tennis fan watching professional matches from a distance. When you understand how a game is played, you become your own commentator and at times, you end up saying the same thing the commentator in the news box says. Isn't that funny?

Wimbledon, 2025

Tennis will always be my safe space. So glad I picked up that wooden racket and started hitting a tennis ball against a garage door. It's become a life-long sport that I appreciate. I will continue to serve and volley my way to healthy living!

Roger Federer Retires from a Sport He Loves

Credit: Sports Exclusive

Say it isn't so, but it's true, 20 time Grand Slam Champion Roger Federer is calling it, he's leaving the sport he has played for over 20 + years. I've watched this man embrace, play, and elevate this sport to a world class level no one in the sport except could imagine, except, say Billie Jean King for my generation. 

We certainly will miss him. He has been a statesmen to the sport, an excellent ambassador to the game and beautiful to watch. Sadly, I came close one year to seeing him play at Indian Wells in 2014, only to find out tickets were sold out for his final. I ended up watching his match  at a nearby Palm Springs bar. Novak Djokovic and Roger battled through a three-set clash, unfortunately Djokovic came out on top.  If only I knew this day would come, but now, this coming weekend will be his last performance. 

He'll be playing at the Laver Cup which he has participated in the past, in London. Certainly, I won't be there, but hopefully Tennis Channel will be able to broadcast this event this weekend. 

My only memorabilia I have of Mr. Federer is a neon green cap with his logo, got on sale of course and not the standard red cap. But love it overall as a memento as my sports hero. 

It will be hard to see him off court and be on the sidelines as this is not normal to see. I truly enjoyed his beautiful tennis form, old school one handed back hand hitting which many in the sport today do not employ. His movements on the court are so surreal, just can't believe how he gets to every ball and changing his rallies from defense to offense in a split second to hit a winning shot against his opponents who of course with stunned looks. 

Tennis will always be my sport I can play in and also watch from the sidelines. Sadly, my favorite player won't be there, but hopefully, other inspiring tennis players will be able to somehow "replicate" his style of play and be the next ambassador to the sport. Maybe. 

Bravo Roger Federer! 

Credit Source

A Notable Quote

"Don't let anyone define you.
You define yourself." ~ Billie Jean King 

SOURCE: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43584584-all-in?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=voQs4Uxzr8&rank=1

Billie Jean King in town for LGBTQ advocacy benefit ~ April 12, 2018

Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco, is looking forward to talking with tennis legend and gay rights activist Billie Jean King.

“I am beyond excited. For the first time in 57 years, I will be able to meet her face-to-face, and I’m sure I’ll gush appropriately like a schoolgirl,” says Kendell, who’s appearing in “Serving Up the Ace,” a benefit for NCLR, a legal LGBTQ advocacy organization, at Brava in The City on Thursday.

The program includes a conversation between King and Kendell and a screening of “Battle of the Sexes,” the 2017 movie with Emma Stone and Steve Carell about the famed 1973 match between World No. 1 tennis star King and ex-champ and hustler Bobby Riggs.

In her talk with King, Kendell says, “I want to find out how she had the fortitude to blaze the path that she did, when really she stood alone. At the time, there were very few other female tennis players beating drum about pay equity.”

Read more in the San Francisco Examiner

Honored to have had April 12, 2018 proclaimed Billie Jean King Day in San Francisco by Mayor @MarkFarrellSF. Thank you to @KateKendell and to all who helped raise funds for @NCLRights last night. #EqualityForAll pic.twitter.com/SRUj3q5jgu

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) April 13, 2018

Oh captain, my captain.

Last night I met up with our Pac Cup team captains and players for cocktails and dinner to celebrate and finish off a good year competing in the annual Pac Cup Tennis Team tournament held in Portland.

GLTF San Francisco PAC Cup Tennis Team 2016

We all agreed it was close but no cigar. San Diego was just a tad better. Imagine putting together a sleuth of dynamic players and figuring out how to best create a winning formula to win the "Cup". Definitely a tall order, but our team captains,  Jason and Marty stepped up to the service line and tossed the ball and hoped for an ace. 

PAC Cup Team Captains, Jason and Marty

I appreciate your efforts, it's never easy but thank you. We hoped you liked your gifts from last night. Let's hope 2017, will be the one! 

Gift Certificates

Tennis Ball Wine Stoppers