I HAD A BALL KEEPING MY EYE ON THE BALL

Around this time each year there’s something in the air.  Striking me down, it begins early January, without fail, year after year. My head swivels from left to right; east to west, and north to south.  The affliction continues through to early February. 

Luckily, my head hasn’t fallen off - not yet.  Any squeaking you may have heard probably was me.  Between my swivelling, creaking neck, and my creaking, non-swivelling hips, I desperately need an overhaul – a grease and oil change! 

Yep!  The Australian Summer of Tennis courted me from the beginning to the end.  Helplessly, I fall for its charms every year. Wonder upon wonder!  It’s the same old story, about the same old habit!  I try not to make a racket while, somewhere within those few weeks, I take time out every year to write about my addiction to yellow balls.   

So, this is the net result.  It’s the way the ball bounces. I can’t help it!  Love it, or loathe it...

I’ve an ace up my sleeve, though.  I don’t throw tantrums like some of the players do - at least, not in the public arena. 

One of the most disgusting displays I’ve seen on a tennis court was the performance by the arrogant, unlikeable French player, Benoit Paire during the ATP competition. Paire not only threw childish, aggressive tantrums, smashing racquets and tossing bottles onto the court, but he belittled himself even further when he performed the lowest of low acts. He spat on the court.   

His despicable, disgusting conduct not only disrespected his host country, but also his team, and his own country. His belligerent, repugnant behaviour sure ain’t cricket, and it sure ain’t tennis. 

We’re used to seeing raw emotions let loose on the court, and it is understandable with the power of adrenaline flowing through the player’s veins, along with the will to do one’s best...but spitting is taking it a bridge too far.

The abhorrent behaviour Paire displayed certainly wasn’t/isn’t a good example to set for young kids who aspire to become tennis players, or for any kind of player in the game of life.  What a pathetic creature he is! If it were in my hands, I'd boot him right out of the game...forever!

More of the Barty Party, please.  Our humble, down-to-earth Ash is a contrasting story. Ash is a strikingly different human being...one of a most positive kind - one worth emulating.  Taking it in her stride with grace and dignity, she was positive in defeat.

Alex “Demon” de Minaur has captured our hearts.  His growth as a player unfolds before our eyes. His youthful enthusiasm is contagious. What a pity injury caused him to pull out of the Australian Open.

When Rafa plays, I’m watching. Unashamedly, I am an avid Rafa fan.  I always have been from when I first saw him play about 16 years ago. Similar applies to Gentleman Roger.  Both are class personified...win or lose. Every young player with dreams should aspire to be like Rafa and The Fed-Express. True role models - each is a credit to his country, his loved ones, and to the game of tennis. 

The young US player, Sofia Kenin who beat our Ash in the semi-finals and went on to hold up the Aus Open Women’s trophy is a player to watch in the future.  She has many more wins ahead of her.  Her determination is palpable; her personality is bright and heart-warming.  Let’s hope she never loses her natural charm, or her positivity.

Freely, I admit I did jump for joy...not literally (I’d be still trying to get up off the floor, if literal)..,when I learned Bernard Tomic didn’t qualify to even place his little toe on the courts at Melbourne for the Australian Open.   My opinion of Tomic will never change...but enough of that.  I think you get the message....

In conclusion...we’ve all been frustrated and infuriated many times over by Nick Kyrgios.  I know I’ve wanted to wring his neck more than once. However, praise when and where praise is due; respect when respect is deserved. 

There’s no denying Nick is a brilliant tennis talent, despite his all too often exasperating on-court conduct during past matches.  

Nevertheless, through the 2020 Summer of Tennis he demonstrated admirable personal maturity on the court.

After his loss to Rafa in their stunning face-off, during his press conference Nick said; 

"I feel I've made progress as a human; a tennis player, I don't really care about as much."  

To make such a personal, open admission to the “world” takes a lot of guts.   There would be many older and wiser than Nick Kyrgios who would find it difficult to utter those words out loud to an ever-eager audience waiting to jump on their every word.

Before the competitions commenced Nick promised he would donate $200.00 for every ace he served.  During the Aus Open tournament alone, he served 100 aces.

Grill’d Burgers promised to double his donation.  Sportsbets donated $1000.00 for every ace...all for Bushfire Relief. Others followed suit. 

 Nick Kyrgios was the brain behind the fundraising night of nights of centre court action to raise funds for the bushfire appeal. It was Nick’s idea.  Greats such as Serena Williams, Rafa, Federer, Djokovic participated.  $4.8 million was raised that night.  On top of that, Nadal and Federer each contributed $250,000.00 to the bushfire relief.   

And the list of goodwill from the players continued to grow.... 

Kyrgios’ compassionate off-court actions prove he is a caring, humble young man, liked and respected by his peers. Nick has proven he has a kind, generous heart. 

For the past few years, 24 year old Nick Kyrgios has had a vision.  He fulfilled that vision by starting the NK Foundation...”a foundation that creates a safe place where underprivileged youth can frequent to play the sports they dream about, and take shelter if needed.”   The facility has tennis courts, basketball courts, a gym, a pool and dorms, giving children refuge. 

On the quiet, out of the public eye, Nick also spends time with sick children. Before and after games he finds time and energy to bond with seriously ill kiddies, undercover, not seeking publicity.   

The people who operate Camp Quality, the Australian children’s cancer charity...Camp Quality’s chief executives have only the highest of praise for Nick...for the work he does on behalf of, and with the sick children.

Our wheelchair champion, a champion not only in the game of tennis, but a champion person of good character, with a fun, mischievous personality... the one and only Dylan Alcott knows Nick very well.  Dylan, also, has only praise for the young man.

  

Nick Kyrgios doesn’t blow his own trumpet about the good he does for others, particularly for under-privileged kids; nor does he expect thanks for his generosity of spirit.  But, praise and thanks he deserves; “Thank you, Nick!”  

The Open closed on Sunday, 3^rd February.  I dropped the yellow ball, and hung up  my racquet, but then I had a larger ball with which to play...Super Bowl Monday (Aussie time).   

After years of watching the Super Bowl...a tradition that started when Randall, my now late ex-husband arrived home from the US.  From when Randall set foot back on home turf, he and I watched the Super Bowl.  Even when we were apart...up until last February...February, 2019.... Randall and I spoke via telephone on Super Bowl day, discussing “this and that” about the game and the half-time entertainment.   For years he explained the “ins and outs” of the game to me, to little, or no avail. 

D’Oh!  I still don’t entirely understand the game rules.  To be honest, I haven’t a clue, but I’m always a spectator, even if none the wiser.  I’m a slow learner...

Nonetheless, for whatever reason, this year’s game I understood more than any other I’ve watched over the years.   

It was a nail-biting game – for the spectators, not the players (they didn’t have time to bite their nails.  The half-time entertainment with J Lo, Shakira, J Lo’s young daughter, and the superb back-up dances was absolutely spectacular!  Breathtaking!

Mozzarella Chicken Balls: Combine 454g ground chicken, 2 large eggs,1/3c breadcrumbs, 1/3c grated Parmesan, 1tsp salt, 1/2tsp pepper, 1/2tsp each dried basil, dried oregano, dried parsley, and garlic powder. Shape into small balls; press a ball of bite-sized mozzarella balls into each. Reseal mixture around mozzarella, covering it completely. Then roll them in the flour, one at a time, to coat. Shake off any excess; set aside. Preheat oven 175C; heat a little olive oil in a skillet over med-high. Once oil has warmed, add in half of the balls; cook until browned, turning often. Once brown, remove them from skillet, and add the second batch. When those are brown, remove from heat; transfer the balls to a sprayed baking dish. Cook in oven 15mins. Serve with Marinara Sauce:- Combine in saucepan, 2x400g canned crushed tomatoes, 1x400g can diced toms, 1tsp each dried parsley, basil and oregano, 1tsp salt, 3 crushed garlic cloves, ½ onion, minced, a pinch of chilli flakes, to taste and pinch of black pepper, to taste. Bring to boil, then simmer over lower heat up to an hour.

Cheesy Rice Balls: In a bowl, combine 3c cooked rice, 1c cooked, chopped bacon, 1/2c shredded mozzarella, 1/2c grated Parmesan, 1c bread crumbs, and eggs, mix well.  With wet hands grab a handful of the mixture; firmly press into a ball (not into a tennis ball...but into the shape of a ball, silly!)  Coat the rice balls in bread crumbs.  Preheat oil to 170C.  Fry the balls 3-5mins or until golden; drain on paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with salt. Serve with marinara sauce.

Kickin’ Whopping Great Cheese Ball: Heat a large skillet over med-high heat. Add 6 diced bacon rashers; cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 mins. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. In a small bowl, combine half of the bacon, 1/4c chopped pecans and 2tbs chopped fresh parsley; set aside.  In bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat 454g room temp cream cheese, 1c shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and 1/4c crumbled goat cheese, 2tbs salad dressing, 1tsp Worcestershire and remaining bacon and 2tbs chopped parsley on med-high until well combined and fluffy, about 1-2 mins. Cover; chill for at least 2hrs, or overnight. Shape mixture into a ball; roll in the prepared bacon-pecan mixture.  Serve with crackers.