He’s making a list…
He’s checking it twice….
He’s going find out who hits volleys with no slice…
… Santa Claus is coming to town!
Hope you are on Santa’s “nice list” and that the Holiday Season finds you well. As the year comes to an end, it is always fun to look back and reflect. For starters, there’s one question I have for myself. Am I the same player as I was on January 1st?
Well, I have definitely not changed. I am still that stubborn little player on the right-hand side. However, I do believe I have developed. My “tool box” still has room for new tools, but the tools that I do have are improving which have made me more versatile. I feel that I am very far from my peak as a player but I do feel like I’m moving in the right direction. For the year to come, I will continue to polish my old and new “tools” and most importantly continue to learn how to read the game — not only my opponents’ but also my own and my partner’s so that we as a team can use our best sides to create gaps on the other side of the net.
And with any year, there are always highs and lows. Here are some memorable moments from my padel year.
Most Heart-breaking
Alexandra’s knee injury. My teenage daughter who was on the verge of breaking into the elite, tore her ACL. I was looking forward to a new year of practicing, traveling, and competing with her and watching her bloom, but it looks like I’ll have to hold out for about another year until she’s up and running again. #justalittlepatience
All smiles at National Team Training in Norrviken.
Most Anti-climatic
Swedish Padel Tour Masters Final. It was the last tournament of the year — a chance to apply what I learned at the World Championships, a chance to compete with and against my teammates that I had just bonded so closely with in Paraguay, the one last chance of the year to perform and compete. All those chances were blown by the stomach flu which hit my partner just the evening before the semis.
SPT Masters Final - day before walk-over
Most Fun
Padel friendships. In our little world of padel, we stumble across tons of open, fun-loving people but it is a bonus to get the opportunity to unite and spend quality time with some of the best of them. I’ve gotten several chances since there are finally more elite ladies playing in Gothenburg, and I also had 10 whole days with the National Team in Paraguay.
Most Invigorating
I’ve mentioned it before but the biggest adrenaline kick of the year was our team match against Mexico in Paraguay. All of us inside the cage and outside, released our inner beasts and were bursting with the best team spirit I’ve experienced in a long time. #rageinthecage #andoutsidethecage #releasethebeast
With new-found Mexican friends after our crazy-fun match
Most Eye-opening
Couples match against Holland’s No. 1 team. Although Holland is practically as new as Sweden is at padel, they gave us a good slap in the face. They didn’t play “tennis padel”. I don’t know how many times we got passed by soft shots that were just simply out of reach. I felt like a marionette being pulled around and controlled. It was a very humbling experience, but also a very useful lesson. #noshame #wellmaybealittle
With Team Holland in Paraguay #itaintmuch #ifitaintdutch
Most Surreal
Båstad Padel Week. There was nothing more surreal than sitting in the stands in the blistering heat and watching Sweden’s favorites Knutsson and Windahl up against pros Lamperti and Mieres on a World Padel Tour Center Court in Båstad. #wptinsweden!
Taken from the stands at WPT Båstad
Most Inspiring
This one goes to my tournament weekend with very humble and down-to-earth superstar Lucia Sainz in Vilshärad. Unusually good weather for Sweden, bonding with and coaching from Lucia and a win in the final. #onceinalifetime #pinchme
Lucia waiting patiently while I try to get into the right pose #rookie
Most Rewarding
Family time. These moments were reoccurring throughout the year whether it involved a tournament road-trip with my 17 year-old, a “hate” match against my husband and his partner in the local league, my 10 year-old taking pride in the slice of her backhand volley, my 19 year-old asking if she could train with one of my day groups… or even a friendly summer game outdoors between the five of us. #simplethings
All in all, 2018 has been a blast where there were more highs than lows. With my most rewarding moments in mind, I’m now going to the kitchen to start cooking up some Christmas goodies with my family. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!
//Antonette