SPORTS January 12, 2004 Issue

A tale of two competitions

By Ned Eames

I'm passionate about competitive tennis. But as I drove to a week-long tennis tournament—what I'd normally call the definition of fun—I felt apprehensive. There was another competition going on inside me.

I was leaving behind for a week an organization I had helped create that gives academic support and tennis instruction to disadvantaged children and employs over 100 people. And we had been feeling the worrisome effects of a down economy. Also, I hadn't been able to train for this nationally sanctioned tournament.

Having a strong urge to stay at home, I realized during the six-hour drive I needed to get out of the way of the business and get a fresh perspective. I also thought about my tournament doubles partner. He'd been an invaluable co-founder of our organization, and we'd won the doubles portion of this same event five years ago—just as our "child" was coming into being. Inspired teamwork had produced success on and off the court. So, I thought to myself, go for it!