My club manager said that I was winning too easily. I received a bye in the first round. Then, I won my second round match by a score of 6-1, 6-0. I won my third round match by a score of 6-3, 6-1. I won my 4th round match by a score of 6-2, 6-2. Finally, I won my Finals match by a score of 6-1, 6-3.
Actually, my toughest match was the 4th round semi-final match. Although I appeared to have won easily ... 6-2, 6-2 ... that was a real battle. It took about 2-1/2 hours to complete. I was up a set and 5-1, and I put sports cream on my thighs because I felt cramps coming on. That was a BIG mistake. While walking to the baseline, my thighs began to lock up! I'm like,
The cream is supposed to HELP ... NOT HURT!!! I could barely walk!
Fortunately, my opponent graciously gave me some time to stretch and recover ... about 3 to 5 minutes.
However, I resumed play, knowing that my legs were not fully functional. I was hobbling around the court. It was pathetic.
Despite that, I took him to several deuces on his serve. I desperately wanted to finish the match before I would have to default or go to a 3rd set, GOD FORBID! I had a couple of match points, but couldn't finish him off.
However, during the game, I thought that even if I lost it, I would have time to sit for a while on the change-over to rub my thighs.
During the next game, I was serving for the match, and my legs felt better ... good enough to move around the court a bit. However, I knew that if I over did the running, they might lock up again. I tried to conserve my movements, and hit strong efficient shots that would put my opponent on the defensive; I couldn't afford to play long drawn out points. Fortunately, I was able to close the game out and the match. That was a really close call!
My Finals match was downright easy in comparison -- no cramping there. I was also careful to come even better prepared next time in terms of what I ate before the match, and what I drank and ate during the match so that I could support my muscle function. I found myself up a set and 3-0 thinking that this is going to be over quickly. The next thing that I knew, the score was 4-3!
I said to myself, it's time to finish this! I closed the set out, and the match, by a score of 6-1, 6-3.
Anyway, I'm glad that I didn't get this kind of injury during the tournament.