"Thirty-Fifteen," announced the umpire.
"Yes!" I thought. Two sets up and I'm ahead in the third - I was on my way to winning. I'd never made it this far in an important tournament before. This was my second year at the Oklahoma Pro-Am tennis championship and I had a good feeling. I just needed to win this set, and the quarter final would be mine, then I'd move on to the semi, and the grand final would be within my grasp.
I was a good tennis player, but never successful enough to go fully professional. In all honesty, I was probably held back by a lack of talent and a succession of niggling injuries. But I had a strong work ethic and I'd been doing plenty of physio, stretches and weights. In fact, I'd never been this buff before in my life!
I was hoping that this tournament would be my breakthrough to the professional ranks. I returned to the baseline and soaked up the atmosphere of the raucous crowd cheering me on. We were lucky enough to be assigned the center court in the main stadium and I was getting plenty of attention.
I focused on the court ahead, let my muscle memory take its course and served an ace. Yes! Forty-Fifteen.
On the next serve, my opponent had obviously learned their lesson and they were ready in place. The return came at rocket speed, with plenty of topspin, aimed to the far side of the court. I probably should not have even tried, but I was so desperate for victory that I didn't want to let a single point slip. I stretched with my racket, arms, torso, legs. My legs almost went into the splits as I strained to reach as far as I could. But it was never going to happen. Instead of the satisfying feeling of a returned stroke, I felt a familiar sensation in my groin. A pang. A tear. A sharp pain that struck like lightning and an ongoing soreness that rolled around like thunder. And when I tried to walk, my left leg just wouldn't comply.
Fuck! Maybe I could just struggle on. I had only one more set to win and the quarter final was mine. But as I tried to return to the baseline, I hobbled like a cripple and the pain was agonising. Another withdrawal. Damn! At the worst possible time.
I knew it was a juvenile act, and as an amateur I couldn't really afford it, but I slammed my racket to the court and smashed the head. I put up my hand in a sign of surrender, and an official ran onto the court and assisted me to to the bench.
I still held out a little hope and massaged my groin with my own hand. The tournament medico attended, and tentatively prodded me, cautious of getting too close to my private parts. If anything, the pain was intensifying, so after 5 minutes I indicated to the umpire that I was not going to continue, and my opponent was awarded the match by default.
An enormous round of applause spontaneously erupted from the crowd, but it was little consolation. My opponent, the officials, ballboys and line umpires all delivered me a pat on the back and conveyed their condolences. Another game was announced on a nearby court, and the entire crowd disappeared like a fire evacuation. When I lifted my head out of my hands, there was no-one around. The court and stadium were empty.
But a single voice came from behind me. I turned to see an attractive, lone women standing at the barrier in the front row of the seats. "You were playing so well," she smiled with a look of sorrow.
"I know. I really thought I was going to make it this time."
"I'm Darlene."
"I'm Alex."
"I know, Alex. You were just on center court, remember?" she giggled. "Where's the rest of your support team? Your coach?"
"It's just me. I'm only amateur. I can't afford to pay for the flights of a coach as well."
"Are you going to be OK?" asked Darlene, with a pretty face conveying empathy and concern.
I rose and attempted to walk to the barriers, but almost collapsed with an uncoordinated leg and painful adductor.
"Oh no!" Darlene exclaimed. Although she was middle aged, her body was toned and and she sprung over the barrier in a single athletic bound. She wore a tank and short skirt, and as she jumped, I caught glimpse of her bright pink thong.
"Here, let me help you," she kindly offered, steadying me. "What's your plan? Are you going to medical?"
"I'll just get a cab back to the hotel I guess."
"What?" she exclaimed. "You need some treatment for that injury!"
"No, it will be OK," I said. "I've had strains before. I know the routine. Ice and rest. And rest. And rest. It'll put me out for ages."
"No," said Darlene authoritatively. "You need more than that."
"What do you mean?"
"Look, I work at a myotherapy clinic. I know these things. You've got a groin strain. The best things are manipulation and massage. I know just what to do."
"Really?"
"Guaranteed. Listen, My health center is nearby. It's not open on Sundays, but I've got access. Let me give you some treatment. It's free. Take it as compensation for missing out on the semis. And as an expression of thanks for letting me watch you play - you've got a beautiful style."