Hello from Bama Tennis,

In November 1980, one of America’s most recognizable tunes, “On The Road Again”, became Willie Nelson’s 9th Country and Western #1 hit. It held some significance this week as we embarked on our second consecutive road trip in as many weeks. Willie sang nearly 40 years ago, “Here we go, on the road again, like a band of Gypsies we go down the highway, we’re the best of friends, insisting that the world keep turnin’ our way.” After a trip to the Lone Star State last weekend, we have ventured west again, this time to Oxford, Mississippi (home of Ole Miss) and will then head northwest to Fayetteville, Arkansas (home of the Razorbacks).

Last Sunday at Texas A&M we prepared well for the 6th-ranked Aggies. We had two solid days of practice that featured some competitive soccer tennis, frisbee target practice and football receiving routes, in addition to our singles and doubles point play. Our opponents were tough and definitely ready for us. There’s good reason why they sit atop the conference standings. Freshman Patrick Kaukovalta returned to the line-up and paired with Riccardo Roberto in doubles. He had been kept out for a few weeks due to injury. The duo performed well together and served for the match 5-4 when play was stopped due to A&M clinching the doubles point. Point Aggies…rats.

Onto singles and two outstanding performances by junior Mazen Osama and sophomore Alexey Nesterov. Mazen defeated one of the hottest, young American junior players in Patrick Kypson, the 2018 Kalamazoo Boys 18s champion, ranked no. 18 in the world junior rankings and no. 37 in the current college singles rankings. Maz’s much improved serve and aggressive groundstrokes created many offensive opportunities for him throughout the match. Alexey earned his victory over one of England’s top-ranked juniors, Barnaby Smith, who like Kypson, began his college career this past January and had since made a significant impact to the Aggies’ starting lineup. The “Bama Bookends”, Mazen at #1 and Alexey at #6, were focused and determined from the first serve all the way through to the handshake at the end of their duals. Point Bama…Roll Tide! Point Bama…Roll Tide! The trip to College Station showed us what a conference and national championship contender consists of and also reaffirmed that we’re headed in the right direction making gains, and as Coach Saban would say, “moving the chains.”

The Crimson Tide-Rebel showdown begins at 5pm on (Good) Friday. Live scoring and live streaming will be available. We’ve created a good rivalry with Ole Miss in the past six seasons. This will mark our eighth contest against them since 2013, and if we follow recent trends of these battles, it promises to be barnburner. Match scores have been as follows: 2013: 3-4 & 4-3, 2014: 4-2, 2015: 4-2, 2016: 4-3 & 3-4 and 2017: 3-4. While famous boxing announcer, Michael Buffer, won’t be in attendance to yell out “Let’s Get Ready To Rumble!”, we are very excited to get this show started.

On (Easter) Sunday, Alabama will square off against the Razorbacks. So tough to be on the road this holiday weekend. The SEC coaches have made efforts to stay home for Easter weekend with family and friends in future years (versus competing) so I’m hoping we solidify the vote at our conference meeting in November. Be that as it may, the Tide will bring our baskets and rackets to Fayetteville on Sunday for a 1pm start. The forecast calls for very chilly, sub-40 degree weather, so the match could be played indoors. Live scoring will be available for this match.

Moving ahead to the following weekend, we host our final two regular season matches with Georgia on Friday, April 6 at 6pm and Tennessee on Sunday, April 8 at 1pm. Friday Night Lights will serve up exciting tennis action and FREE Taco Mama for all fans. Edson “El Toro” Ortiz is slotted as the featured fathead and player button. Sunday afternoon the Vols travel south to Tuscaloosa not only to compete against the Crimson Tide but also smell the Crimson Racket Club grill cooking up FREE burgers and dogs to all fans. 30+ members from the Million Dollar Band will perform prior to the match and we will also celebrate another Spring Kids Day with a bounce house on hand to tire out all the boys and girls in attendance. Remember to circle April 25-29 with a red sharpie as Alabama hosts the 2018 SEC Men’s Tennis Championships. This event only comes around once every 13 years so you won’t want to miss out.

Until next time, let’s get after the Rebs and Hogs.

Roll Tide!

George