I’m 35,000ft within the air. It’s a transparent day, so I get some nice views of the Norwegian panorama from my window seat on the airplane. As we get nearer to our vacation spot, a slight panic begins to type. What the heck am I doing? This event sounded nice enjoyable after I signed up a 12 months in the past. Now I’m actually not so certain. Perhaps it could have been higher to remain at residence. Stick with native league matches. Keep in my consolation zone.
I’m about to participate within the 2023 European Veterans Championships in Sandefjord, Norway. Almost 2000 gamers from throughout Europe will participate. There’s a massive German contingent. And Swedish. And French. These nations are tremendous good at desk tennis. There is perhaps just a few weak gamers – some foolhardy varieties who’re attending extra for novelty, moderately than any expectation of profitable any matches. However the fundamental minimal commonplace shall be respectable high division native league gamers. The highest gamers shall be ex-professional gamers – gamers who’ve competed in European leagues and perhaps even represented their nation in some type.
Then there’s me. Tom Lodziak. A participant with uncoordinated footwork, awkward approach and a thoughts filled with self-doubt. I’ll be competing at a stage increased than I’ve skilled earlier than. What am I letting myself in for?
The nice and cozy-up
Regardless of my panicky wobble on the flight, I had been feeling fairly comfortable about my recreation in current weeks. My backhand topspin was slowly enhancing. My service recreation was in respectable form. My rallying expertise had been getting higher. I had an honest membership event win, beating the most effective gamers within the Cambridge space within the remaining. I used to be undoubtedly on an upward curve. However the usual at this event was going to be at a unique stage altogether.
I wanted to hit some balls to settle my nerves. Usually I get between 5 – 10 minutes of warm-up time earlier than a league match or event. In Norway, it was a bit of higher. I had two days! I arrived on Saturday and my first match wasn’t till Monday afternoon. As quickly as I used to be checked-in, I made my approach to the event corridor. 100+ STIGA tables arrange, prepared for the matches. Plus one other coaching corridor with one other 40 tables prepared to make use of. Usually at tournaments it may be an actual battle to seek out an unused desk to warm-up. In Norway, it was desk tennis coaching heaven. Select any desk you need!
Over the following two days I received round 8 hours of apply time. That is greater than I’ve practised in a really very long time. I principally performed with Pawel Meryvn and Jarek Chrzanowski. Two gamers of Polish origin, now representing England. We wished to get our match sharpness, so the apply targeted totally on match-play. Tons and many video games.
I do know Jarek nicely. He performs in the identical native league. In our final league match, I narrowly misplaced 3-2. Right this moment within the coaching corridor I win our first match. It’s the primary time I’ve ever overwhelmed him. A constructive signal? He seems to be aggravated. He re-focuses and beats me within the subsequent recreation. Again to actuality! It’s exhausting to play Jarek as he goes again from the desk and fishes and lobs. It’s important to hit a variety of photographs to get via him. However it’s good to hit plenty of balls, even when my knees, hips and again begin to complain a bit of.
Pawel has a unique taking part in fashion. He has an enormous backhand assault, a heavy backspin push, a crazy forehand and a few sturdy lengthy serves. It’s the primary time I’ve performed with Pawel. Each time I take a lead, he motivates himself by calling out loud “come on, catch-up”. And he all the time appears to win just a few factors in a row and make the match shut. However I normally discover a means of profitable every match. It’s shut between us. And good coaching to get my match expertise a bit of sharper.
The singles competitors
After two days of apply, it’s time for the group stage of the singles competitors. I’m entered within the males’s 40s class. That is for gamers aged 40-44. There should not as many entrants on this class in comparison with the others. However the usual must be excessive. The day gone by there had been a normal sense of pleasure within the coaching corridor. Gamers had been relaxed and having fun with themselves.
Right this moment – competitors day – there’s much more rigidity all over the place. Some gamers are quietly targeted. Others are visibly nervous. I belong extra to the nervous group.
I’ve one other apply session with Pawel. I really feel distracted. I maintain checking the time. 4 hours to go. 3 ½ hours to go. 3 hours to go. I’m cautious to not prepare too onerous. I need to maintain some vitality for the group matches. Time for a break. I get some meals. Sit. Eat. Breathe. I hate all of the ready. I would like it over and performed with. I don’t care what the outcomes are. I simply need to cease feeling anxious.
Again residence in England I had tried to analysis my opponents. For 2 of them I might discover no data. The highest seed within the group – Joachim Sorensen – appears to have performed at an honest stage as a junior – perhaps even nationwide stage. He shall be good. However what in regards to the different two? Am I going to lose all three? Will I get thrashed 3-0, 3-0, 3-0. I don’t know. This could possibly be brutal.
Extra ready. 1 hour to go. Examine my watch. half-hour to go. Coronary heart fee rising. Legs really feel heavy. Examine my watch. quarter-hour to go. Time for motion. I slowly stroll to my group desk. The competitors corridor is busy. All 100 tables are getting used. Good gamers. Superior attacking photographs. Everybody can play. They don’t appear nervous. Why do I really feel so nervous?
I stumble upon Andy Eagles – my doubles companion. He’s taking part in on the desk subsequent to me. He looks as if a person on a mission. I inform him I’m nervous. He tells me with an enormous smile on his face, “shit or bust, simply go for it”. Shit or bust. This can be a time period you typically hear within the UK, which broadly interprets as “all or nothing”. The message from Andy is evident. Be fearless. Go to your photographs. Take some dangers. Shit or bust.
Group Match 1 – Tom Lodziak vs Per-Ola Jonsson
My first match is in opposition to Per-Ola Jonsson from Sweden. A left-hander. Inverted rubbers. He appears a bit of nervous too. Our warm-up is a bit of jerky. Time to start out.
Per-Ola likes to assault. In reality, he tries to assault each ball. However his timing isn’t fairly proper. Perhaps he has an excessive amount of rigidity. Much more than me. I attempt to differ the tempo and placement to disrupt his rhythm and the tactic works. I handle a few respectable assaults, however most of my factors come from his errors. I win the primary recreation 11-2.
The following recreation follows the same sample. Per-Ola tries to assault. I attempt to disrupt his rhythm. He makes just a few extra profitable photographs, however it’s not sufficient. I win 11-6.
Within the third recreation, Per-Ola begins to chill out a bit of extra. His photographs have extra fluidity. He has good spin. I discover myself taking part in too passive, hoping he’ll miss moderately than forcing him to overlook. However my serves are nonetheless inflicting issues and I keep in entrance. I lead 10-7. I’ve three match factors. A event win beckons. It’s moments away. Only one win is all I would like. I can go residence saying I managed a win on the European Veterans Championships.
One remaining hurdle to beat. In some ways the toughest hurdle. Changing the match-point. Ought to I threat an assault? Or hope Per-Ola messes up? I all of a sudden really feel extra tense. I snatch on the ball with my backhand and put it into the web. 10-8. A tentative return of serve which is punished. 10-9. A stiff forehand block. It goes lengthy. 10-10. I’ve blown it. Three match factors missed.
Come on, Tom. Refous. serve, 11-10 to me. One other match-point. My anxiousness ranges are rising. I simply need this over with. I make one other weak service return. Punished. Then, one tight shot within the web and one determined assault which works huge. I lose 13-11. I slam my bat down into the desk. Inside my head I scream. Aaaarrrggghhh. Fucking hell. 4 match factors missed.
I’ve a minute to compose myself. I’ve to start out mixing-up the play once more – disrupt the rhythm. My opponent is gaining confidence. I get my recreation again collectively and take a 7-3 lead. Higher. However my opponent will not be giving up. He assaults more durable. He’s actually discovering his attacking rhythm now. He stings me with wonderful topspin photographs proper within the nook of the desk. I change into extra passive. He catches up. The rating is 8-8. After which 9-9. The tie could be very a lot within the steadiness now.
Per-Ola makes one other sturdy topspin assault, which I block lengthy. Sport level to him. Bugger. I actually don’t need this to go to a fifth.
I really feel a bit of determined. He’s beginning to dominate the rallies. However I’m nonetheless having some success with my serve, particularly my lengthy side-topspin serve to his forehand. I exploit the identical serve once more. He mis-times his assault, edging the ball. Sport level saved.
Now Per-Ola seems to be a bit of tense. He dumps a backhand into the web. He’s undoubtedly tight. 11-10 to me. One other match-point. My fifth match-point. JUST FINISH THIS!
I take a second to think about my subsequent serve. Do I attempt the identical lengthy, side-topspin serve to his forehand once more? It has labored a number of occasions already, however perhaps this would be the time he adjusts? Perhaps I ought to serve brief backspin? Take the protected possibility.
I momentarily consider Andy. Shit or bust. That is undoubtedly shit or bust time. I put together to do the lengthy quick side-topspin serve, however I inform myself to anticipate the ball again and prepare to assault. I serve. It’s a great size. Quick and spinny. I recuperate rapidly and maintain my bat excessive, prepared for the ball to return again. However it doesn’t come again. The ball goes lengthy. The serve tactic labored. I win the sport 12-10.
An enormous sense of reduction. A victory! It’s all I wished. I can play desk tennis! It’s a silly, bloody recreation, however I can play. It wasn’t the efficiency I wished, however who cares. I discovered a means of profitable. My first win in a world event. I really feel a bit of dangerous for Per-Ola. I get the impression he can play significantly better. However he was nervous too. In one other atmosphere, on one other day, the rating might have been very completely different.
Group Match 2 – Tom Lodziak vs Miklos Palfi
If the conclusion of the primary match felt like psychological torment, my subsequent group match is a bit more straight ahead. My opponent is Miklos Palfi, initially from Hungary, however now representing Germany. Miklos could be very tall and slim with an enormous smile on his face. He appears very relaxed and simply comfortable to be right here. He tells me he has solely been taking part in for just a few years. Like me, that is his first worldwide event.
Within the first two factors it turns into clear that Miklos’s commonplace is sort of a bit decrease than Per-Ola. I win the primary 7 factors and fully chill out into my acquainted fashion of managed play. I transfer Miklos across the desk, combine up spins and more and more really feel assured to play many attacking photographs. I cruise via the whole match profitable 11-2, 11-3, 11-0.
I’ve a lot sympathy for Miklos. He can play, however he’s out of his depth. I’ve been there. I do know what it seems like. However he nonetheless has an enormous smile on his face. He’s a very nice man and if he retains taking part in and practising, his stage will get increased.
Two matches. Two wins! I used to be now assured to make it via to the principle draw. This wasn’t within the plan. I had been anticipating to battle it out into the comfort occasion. I’m beaming inside. Sure! This has been value it.
Group Match 3 – Tom Lodziak vs Joachim Sorensen
My remaining group match is in opposition to Joachim Sorensen, the highest ranked participant within the group. He has additionally gained each of his matches, though Per-Ola had pushed him to a deciding recreation.
At this stage I don’t actually care in regards to the final result of the match. I’ve certified! However I nonetheless need to play nicely.
Joachim is clearly a greater high quality participant. Tough serves and a really good huge forehand assault with loads of topspin and sidespin. I quickly discover myself dropping 5-0 within the first recreation. He’s an excellent participant, however not so good that I can’t win just a few factors. I dig in. I attempt to spin my serves more durable. I attempt to differ my play. I attempt to assault. I handle to win just a few factors, however he’s all the time forward. I lose the primary recreation 11-8. A spirited fightback. A decent rating.
The second recreation is extra even. I hit some good assaults. He hits some higher assaults. He catches me out with a serve. I catch him out with a serve. At one stage I’m main 6-5. This could possibly be potential. However Joachim has one other gear. One other stage he hasn’t proven till now. The velocity will increase. The spin will increase. The position is brutal. I’m on the backfoot, hoping to remain in every rally. However he’s too good. He wins 11-7.
Shit or bust time once more. I’m 2-0 down. I’ve already certified. I’ve nothing to lose. I could as nicely go swinging and see if I can put Joachim on the again foot.
The intention is sweet. The execution is poor. I can’t land many significant assaults. Joachim continues to be the aggressor and finishes with a flourish of fantastic forehand assaults. I lose 11-4.
I don’t really feel an excessive amount of disappointment within the loss. Joachim is a stronger participant who performed higher on the day. I used to be aggressive within the first couple of video games and performed some respectable desk tennis. And I compelled Joachim to boost his recreation. I made him beat me. Wonderful.
On the conclusion of the group matches, I skip across the event corridor, in search of Pawel and Jarek to inform them my information. I received via! I certified. I’m within the spherical of 32. That is greater than I hoped for. Even when I don’t win some other video games – singles or doubles – it doesn’t matter. That is sufficient.
Or is it? Successful feels good. I all of a sudden need extra. What if I can win the following match and make it to the spherical of 16? And what if I win that? I’d be within the quarter finals. What successful that will be!
The lengthy wait
I’ve to attend a few days for the following singles match. It’s an extended wait, however permits extra time for apply. I play very nicely in opposition to Pawel – the very best I’ve performed to this point. When targeted, my attacking recreation is admittedly flowing. I’m feeling relaxed and comfortable. However Pawel is cussed. Each time I really feel like I get on high, he all the time finds a means of preventing again and making it onerous. I benefit from the matches as I can’t ease off. If I ease off, Pawel punishes me. I’ve to maintain dictating the play. I’m in good type and win many of the matches.
I even have the doubles competitors to participate in. After the relative success of singles, I’m feeling very relaxed for doubles. A bit too relaxed. I’m not as targeted as I must be. I’m taking part in with Andy Eagles. We’ve got performed collectively earlier than, however we’re not on the stage of getting a very stable partnership. We’re nonetheless discovering one of the simplest ways to play collectively.
Our group is sort of powerful. We lose our first match 3-1, however it was winnable. We lose our second match 3-2 and this was undoubtedly winnable. I’ve an entire psychological malfunction in a single recreation in opposition to a participant with lengthy pimples. I’m so used to taking part in in opposition to lengthy pimples in singles, however in doubles I not often play in opposition to lengthy pimples. I maintain misjudging what spin is on the ball and make many errors. It’s an embarrassing recreation for me and I apologise to Andy.
In our remaining doubles group recreation, we play two exceptionally good gamers – Julien Pietropaoli (France) and Lucian Filimon (Romania). I attempt to assault extra. So does Andy. We need to end with a greater efficiency. However each time we play sturdy assaults, the ball retains coming again with curiosity. We face excessive stage desk tennis gamers and we’ve got no reply to the standard going through us. We lose the primary recreation 11-2.
We clearly haven’t any probability. I recommend to Lucian that they offer us a 8-0 headstart for the following recreation. He considers this for a second and replies “we are going to nonetheless win”. After all, it’s in opposition to the foundations to offer your opponents an 8-0 head begin, however unofficially that is the sport we play. I win one level from my serve. I attempt to hack the hell out of the ball – as a lot backspin as I can get – and Lucian dumps the ball within the web. I have a good time loudly, as if we had gained the sport. Andy wins one other level with a chic drop shot which bounces twice on the desk. Once more, we have a good time loudly. We win a 3rd level via a missed assault by Julien. We did it! We managed 3 factors! In our unofficial problem with an 8-0 headstart, we win 11-8! After all, should you take away our 8-0 head begin, we truly misplaced the sport 11-3.
So we’re dropping 11-2, 11-3, however Lucian continues to be up for the problem. He thinks they’ll win by an even bigger margin than 11-3. We’re up for the problem too. We play some superb attacking photographs. We actually go for it. However every thing we give them comes again. These gamers are phenomenal. They hammer us 11-1!
We go away the desk, shaking our heads. Both we’re critically crap at desk tennis (no feedback please) or we simply performed a few ex-professional gamers. Later within the night we ran into Lucian and had a chat on the bar. It seems he used to play in the identical staff as high English professional participant Paul Drinkhall. Andy and I immediately really feel higher about our thrashing. We want Lucian good luck for the remainder of the event. He walks away with an aura of confidence. He has a swagger of a champion-in-waiting.
There shall be extra doubles for Andy and I later within the week. We completed backside of the group, so will play within the consolations occasion. I don’t assume both of us are proud of how we performed in doubles, however no less than we will attempt to redeem ourselves within the comfort knock-out spherical.
Spherical of 32 – Tom Lodziak vs João Tenente
Again to singles. Nonetheless ready. I’ve time to perform a little research on my opponent. His title is João Tenente from Portugal. I discover a few his matches on YouTube. He’s a great participant. An enormous forehand assault. A fighter. He performs with ardour. However perhaps his backhand is a bit weaker. He doesn’t appear to assault strongly on his backhand – simply roll the ball on. And typically he’s a bit wild. He makes unforced errors. He goes too massive. A tactical plan types in my thoughts. I’ve to focus on the backhand. Range the velocity. Get him lacking. Get in his head. I’ve overwhelmed these kinds of gamers earlier than. They give the impression of being stronger. Higher photographs. Higher footwork. However I can disrupt them. Make them miss. Get of their head.
The day of the large match arrives. The largest match I’ve ever performed. I’m targeted, however I really feel harassed. Too harassed. I’m taking part in on one of many 10 present courts in the principle area. There shall be a small viewers watching. This makes me much more harassed. I attempt to breathe and calm my thoughts. However it has no impact. The executioner’s block awaits. There may be nothing I can do to halt my impending doom.
I organize to satisfy Pawel for a warm-up. I can’t actually focus. I’m tight. My photographs are jerky. My motion is gradual. No circulation. No rhythm. Pawel beats me twice. Not a great signal. I verify my watch. Time to go. I stroll slowly from the coaching corridor to the present courtroom area. It’s a 5 minute stroll, which I stretch out to 10 minutes. Breathe. Focus. Sport plan.
I enter the world and stroll to my desk. I’m a couple of minutes early. I verify my watch. I nervously scan the room for my opponent. I can’t see him. The umpire arrives and checks my title and quantity. Nonetheless no opponent. I verify my watch once more. It’s 13:58. The match begins at 14:00. The place is my opponent? Perhaps he gained’t present up after which I gained’t should play. This can be a surprisingly good feeling! However as quickly because the thought enters my head, João Tenente turns up. The match is on. Shit.
João seems to be targeted. Energetic. Sturdy. I really feel like a bag of nerves. Come on Tom, pull your self collectively. Focus in your recreation plan. Goal the backhand. Range the tempo. Range the spin. Variation, variation, variation. AND TARGET THAT BACKHAND.
We’ve got a two minute warm-up. Forehand drive to forehand drive. I topspin, he blocks. He topspins, I block. He has good topspin, however nothing greater than I’ve skilled earlier than. This is perhaps OK.
Now backhand drive to backhand drive. My drive goes into the web. Hmm, what occurred there? I should be tense. Extra backhand to backhand. I miss once more. What’s happening?
João exhibits me his bat and says “pimples”. Fuck.
“Quick pimples or lengthy pimples?” I ask.
“Medium pimples.” João replies.
Medium pimples! How on earth am I speculated to play this? Double fuck. My well-prepared recreation plan has unravelled. I’m not used to taking part in in opposition to medium pimples. Quick pimples, sure. Lengthy pimples, sure. However a participant utilizing medium pimples for managed assaults? Nope, I’ve not confronted this earlier than. I really feel an additional stage of stress and may’t assume clearly a couple of new recreation plan.
The match begins. I win the primary two factors. Perhaps I’ve an opportunity. However then João settles down and begins to dominate. He wins the following 5 factors. I battle to become familiar together with his pimples. I play tentatively, however that enables João to start out utilizing his massive forehand.
My service technique isn’t working, as he’s masking the desk together with his pimples. My spin will not be taking impact. I’m not fairly certain what to do with the ball because it floats again off the pimples. The restrictions of my backhand are being uncovered. I can’t block in opposition to medium pimples. I don’t have the facility to tackle his floaty pimples assaults. My head can’t assume. Extra tentative play. Extra punishment. I lose first recreation 11-7.
One other English participant Simon Parker – a participant I coach – is in my nook. Right this moment the roles are reversed. He’s teaching me. He tells me to be extra constructive. Transfer my toes. Go for my photographs.
I attempt to be extra constructive. I make a great forehand assault. João can’t return it. I can play! Subsequent level – a great rally and I hit a really huge forehand assault, which makes the slightest of contact with the sting of the desk. I see it. The umpire sees it. I’m awarded the purpose. However considered one of João Tenente’s supporters is livid. He stands up and gestures to the umpire – “no level, no level”. João is not sure, “did it hit?” I say sure. He accepts and play continues. Good sportsmanship.
A few factors later, I foul serve – nonetheless an excessive amount of rigidity. I hear a loud cheer from the spectator who felt aggrieved from the sting ball. Robust crowd! My thoughts fogs over once more. João raises his recreation and begins attacking extra aggressively with each his forehand and his medium pimples. I change into extra passive. I’ve no recreation plan. I’m simply reacting. My backhand is impotent. I’m being outplayed. As João builds up an enormous level lead, I attempt a few determined assaults however miss. I lose 11-4.
I can really feel the match has already slipped away. I actually wished to play nicely, however this isn’t taking part in nicely. I can think about the dissatisfied seems to be on the faces of Pawel and Jarek who’ve come to observe me play.
Simon within the nook tells me to start out attacking and present some struggle. He’s proper, however I really feel overwhelmed already.
The third recreation doesn’t begin nicely. João performs a weaker shot, which clips the highest of the web and dribbles over on my facet. I can’t attain it. I hit an assault which clips the highest of the web and bounces lengthy. Nothing appears to be going my means.
I lose the primary 6 factors. That is getting embarrassing. João misses an assault – 6-1. At the very least I’ve a degree and gained’t lose 11-0! My thoughts continues to be too targeted on the end result of the match – not on truly taking part in the match.
The rating is 9-2. The match is all however over. Solely now when the match is all however performed, do I start to really feel a bit of extra relaxed – a bit of extra myself. My mind fog begins to raise. A technique on learn how to play in opposition to his medium pimples turns into clearer. I begin utilizing my forehand extra. I win the following three factors. Perhaps he has a bit of rigidity too? Might a comeback be on? No! I miss an assault and João performs an important remaining level with an enormous forehand assault. The match is over.
I really feel a way of reduction that the match is completed, but additionally nice disappointment that I didn’t play higher. Normally, I might go and conceal away someplace and sulk within the trauma of defeat. However immediately there is no such thing as a time. Pawel is taking part in his match quickly, so I would like to assist him put together.
Again to the coaching corridor. It’s most likely a great factor. Extra desk tennis! And naturally, with the stress gone, I play significantly better. I deal with taking part in stronger backhand assaults. I miss a lot, however get heaps on too. I do know that is the world of the sport I have to develop
Lots of the high gamers at this event have wonderful backhand assaults. It’s an space I’ve been engaged on and my backhand has improved over the previous couple of years. However I lack energy. I can’t end a degree. I have to take my backhand to the following stage. I would like extra energy. I would like a weapon to have the ability to punish floaty balls from medium pimples!
Extra apply video games with Pawel. I miss some backhand assaults and make some good backhand assaults. I attempt to work out why I miss and why I succeed. I attempt to visualise that very fluid wave-like backhand approach many gamers have, however can’t fairly get it. I maintain the elbow a bit of increased and it appears to assist. I rotate a bit of extra from the hips. “Good shot”, says Pawel. I can do it!
Barely an hour has handed since my crushing defeat and already I’m engaged on a plan for my enchancment. This feels good. I’m not too despondent.
Later within the night I’ve extra time to mirror on my defeat. I misplaced to a great participant. João is healthier than me. Even when I had a great recreation plan, even when I used to be relaxed, João nonetheless would have gained. Perhaps I might have gotten just a few extra factors. However he was too good for me.
And searching on the positives, I did handle to win a few matches. I made it to the final 32 of the European Veterans Championships. OK, I used to be a bit lucky that the entry for my age class wasn’t too massive. I solely needed to qualify from the group to succeed in the final 32. However, hey, it’s on my file now. I made it to the final 32. Not dangerous for a participant with uncoordinated footwork, awkward approach and a thoughts filled with self-doubt!
What occurred subsequent?
- João Tenente’s subsequent opponent gained fewer factors than me. Small consolation! João made it to the quarter remaining, however was defeated 3-1 by Daniel Schildhauer from Germany.
- Pawel made it to the spherical of 16 within the comfort occasion. Together with Jarek, they certified for the spherical of 32 within the males’s doubles, however misplaced, agonisingly, 14-12 within the fifth leg.
- Andy Eagles and I managed to win two doubles matches and made it to the semi-finals of the comfort occasion. Andy additionally made it to the final 32 of the over-45s class. He received the loudest cheer of the day by profitable a degree with an unbelievable show of lobbing from the again of courtroom. The purpose was nice and the celebration was even higher! You possibly can watch it right here.
- Joachim Sorensen made it to the spherical of 16 within the singles, dropping to the eventual winner. However Joachim achieved some success, profitable the lads’s doubles comfort occasion.
- Per-Ola Jonsson, my first opponent, did overcome his preliminary nerves, profitable 5 matches in a row and claiming the lads’s 40s comfort title.
- Lucian Filimon lived as much as his swagger and gained the lads’s title, turning into males’s European Veteran Champion for 2023. Lucian and Julien additionally gained the lads’s doubles. Within the remaining they gained 3-0 and the rating within the third recreation? 11-1. Nice gamers. However Lucian nonetheless can’t return my heavy backspin serve.