The Deuce Club, 5.15

By Jackie, TW Social Director

Evening, TWibe! How was everyone's Mother Day? I hope all of our TWibe mamas had a relaxing weekend. And now we're already upon another one ... time sure flies ...

Can you believe the start of Roland Garros is only days away? (In next week's Deuce Club, I'll probably solicit predictions from y'all - though perhaps I should restrict this to only the women's field!) I can't wait for another Grand Slam; it feels like the tennis landscape has changed quite a bit since Melbourne, so I'm interested to see how the shifting tides are manifested on a Grand Slam platform. Or ... we'll see another Fedal final. I don't think too many of us would object to that.

But enough about RG. We're in the DC, after all, right? wink

Those of you who have succumbed to the Facebook temptation are well aware of its many quiz applications. They're all the rage right now! (And if you're on Facebook but have yet to join our group, TennisWorld > Real World, what're you waiting for?) I've seen quizzes on just about everything, from "Who is your celebrity twin?" to What Disney Princess are you?" They assign you a celebrity/character "match," based on your responses to questions about lifestyle, habits, predilections, and so on. Provided you don't take any of it too seriously, the quizzes can be a lot of fun. (I still have yet to find out what wrestler I am ... will keep you guys posted.)

I noticed that several Facebooking TWibers, myself included, had taken one of the "What tennis player are you?" quizzes. Naturally. I wasn't so fond of that particular quiz, as some of the questions and/or responses made little sense or didn't apply to me whatsoever! (Example: What do you do the night before an important event? Response options: a)Go over your speech [they never said the important event involved a speech?], b)Read, c)Load up on carbs, d)Sharpen your bullocks knife, e)Do shots of jagermeister [spelled incorrectly - I'm a stickler for such things], f)Go to sleep early.) Still, I had a good laugh getting through it and hoped all along I'd end up with a player I'm fond of.

So who am I? According to the quiz, I'm Bjorn Borg.

That works. I never watched him play live so I was a tad underwhelmed ... though considering my mom was a huge Borg follower and preferred his temperament to that of his rivals, I'll take it. Arun and Sam had the same result, making the comparison all the more flattering. (Hi, guys!)

After stepping away from the quiz, I thought about the "What tennis player are you?" question more seriously. Who am I like, really?

My first inclination was to consider a player I enjoy watching ... but then I realized my favorites embody traits that I envy, not ones I possess. Sure, I feel a connection to these players because I'm able to relate to them in some way (which I'll detail shortly), but they're more representative of the person I aspire to be rather than the person I am currently.

So if not one of my favorites, who's my tennis player counterpart? In breaking this down, I realized I see myself in more than one player - I'm a mixed breed, apparently!

I'm competitive. Very competitive. If I don't come out on the winning end of a competitive endeavor, I'm not a happy camper. (Note: This excludes any sort of physical competition. Physically/athletically, I'm a wimp.) I suppose most tennis players also have this competitive drive within them or they wouldn't be able to survive in the profession. Still, that flame seems to burn brighter in certain players - Serena and Rafa are good examples.

Perhaps because I'm so competitive and expect a lot of myself, I also get frustrated easily. When I feel like my control over a situation is slipping, I'm apt to break down emotionally. However, my frustration never translates into anger or aggression. I just ... cry. So in tennis terms, I'm not a racquet-smasher like Gonzo or Marat. I won't scream expletives at an umpire like Roddick. I'm a talk-to-myself, can't-contain-tears, heart-on-my-sleeve ball of emotion, like Alize or Baggy.

At the same time, I don't often let the frustration get the better of me - I'm too stubborn for that! When I have to finish something, when I know I need to be at my best, I rise to the challenge. Pressure motivates me. Unfortunately, this explains why I seem to be in a perpetual state of stress. I'm no more diligent, proactive, or determined than when I'm in the face of a deadline. Remind you of anyone? I'd say Gilles (and not just because he happens to be a rather salient presence in my conscience!). Who better exemplifies doing your best when your back is against the wall? He was once quoted as saying he wished he could summon his killer instinct at any point during a match, whether he's ahead or behind, early in the first or late in the third, but he just can't seem to manage it. When he doesn't "need" it, it's not there.

I'm reverent of authority. I play by the rules, and I like when rules are enforced. I have very little "rebel" in me. Much of this is borne out of fear - fear of getting in trouble! I bet, then, I wouldn't be one to fight an umpire over a call, even if I saw things differently. Whatever he/she says goes and I'd respect that. Who in the tennis world seems to think along these same (white) lines? With exceptions, perhaps Venus or Amelie. Roger, too.

I believe in honesty - it really is the best policy in my book. Sure a little white lie here and there won't do any harm (you know, like the ones we've all told to get out of plans so we can watch tennis!), but I try to be open and forthright, especially when it comes to myself - my history, feelings, points of view, etc. If I were a tennis player, I'd tell it like it is in a press conference. I'd speak frankly about my performances and my competition. Quite like Roger, again.

I care about what others think of me, though - much more than a Roger. In that sense, I might hesitate to criticize a fellow player because I wouldn't want to be viewed negatively by my peers. (My insecurity is showing, huh.) It'd be quite the balancing act - speaking about others in nothing but positive terms and also avoiding the impression of disingenuousness. I'd hope to achieve that balance and be that player everyone enjoys being around. Another Kuzzy, perhaps. But now I'm drifting into who I'd like to be territory.

In answering the "What tennis player are you?" question, I obviously went the circuitous route. I told you - there isn't just one!

Now I'd love to hear what tennis player you think you most resemble. You can divvy up your attributes among several players just as I did. Or, if there is a single player you think is your twin, who you'd swear is your soulmate or long-lost sibling, feel free to run with just the one!

To make this even more fun, I invite y'all to make your own matches - that is, match a TWibe member with a tennis player. Is Arun really Bjorn Borg? Or do you see someone else in him?

Pull up a chair, grab a drink, and have fun!