If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen!

Seriously? This is what I was thinking on the court at my last tennis match. Come to find out that is is apparently NOT ok to hit the ball at the net player, even if it is at their feet. That is merely a myth, proposed by all tennis pros, to teach their clients to do only when wanting to provoke a good old fashioned cat fight between cranky, middle aged women. Yes, that is right. A proven fact.

And on that note, it is also apparently, equally, not ok to return the ball harder than your opponent can handle. This can be considered rude and could elicit sudden bursts of patronizing little giggles before the next serve is delivered. But don't be confused though, those giggles are not to be taken lightly. They are just a sign of bad things to come. Lastly, do not play the best that you can, regardless of all the lessons you take and advice you often get. This is surely not ok. Especially if it is a match that actually counts for something. Better to play your best only during practices with your pro. This way, no one will actually know if you have improved and you will never really know how well you play, compared to others. Ignorance is best. This will keep you in lessons longer and promote a longer lasting relationship with your pro. Problem is, if you accidentally do play your best, you inevitably set yourself up for extreme irrational and immature comments from your opponent. These comments, coupled with "deer in the head light" stares and more whites of their eyes than you care to see, can be brutal. So, there you have it! What not to do if you play the game of tennis. However, last I heard, for any other competitive sport out there you really are encouraged to try your best at all times. Play hard or go home. That's the motto........ or at least that used to be the motto. (I think it still is).

So, do I really believe what I just wrote? Absolutely NO. I say, "if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen!"