One day in class I asked my students to write about their best day ever when I came across this gem. I asked her if she wouldn’t mind me sharing it on my blog and she gave me the thumbs up. I hope you enjoy it as much I did. Julie
The Most Exciting Day of My Life by Chiara S.
I’ve got two best days of my life — the first is when I received my rabbit, Tipete eight years ago for Christmas. The second was when I won my first tennis tournament. I would like to talk about the second point, my tournament.
It was August 2009 and I was 12. The tournament was in Ferrara and it was called Poggese, the same name as the tennis club. I remember that I had to play five matches after the final.
The first match was very easy. I won 6-2, 6-1 with a girl who was younger than me. She was ten.
I played the second match very badly and I don’t know how I won that game. When the time ended, I remember that my adversary cried. I was disappointed for that match.
Later, when I had finished and showered and I was in the car with my family, my father told me, “I thought you lost that match, but you must be happy because you were able to remain focused for the entire duration of the match.”
Good.
I played the third set well. During the second game, I fell down. I had to stop the match because I had to put some ice on my foot.
It was a terrible for me.
I played the fourth match very well, the same as the first one. The fifth match was beautiful. I played with a tall and thin girl. She was ten. Her name was Emma.
That was a long match. I won 6-7, 6-4 and 6-4. In the end, I remember that she too had cried because she was disappointed.
As for me, I cried because I had finally played in a finals game.
During the finals, I was very shaken. I always listen to music when I am shaken to relax but this on this day, I was on edge.
Later, I played with a girl named Michela who is now a friend. She is small and thin. When I went out onto the tennis court, there were about twenty to thirty people and I was scared.
My mom told me, “Play as you can.” When the match started, I decided to serve.
I began with an ace.
I thought to myself, “Not bad!”
The first game and point of the match are always important because it’s the first step in gaining confidence. People clapped and I was very embarrassed to see so many people that were in awe.
I don’t like people to stare at me because I’m shy. I lost the first set but I won the second one.
I was tired but I thought that my adversary was probably even more tired than me.
I began the third set with a double fault. After fifteen minutes, I was losing 4-0.
I said to myself, “Chiara! Wake up!”
So I continued to play with a single objective: not to make a mistake.
Michela changed her game and she began to play like me but I was more regular.
After thirty minutes, I was winning 5-4. Michela served in only one game. She served three aces. I couldn’t believe it.
There were five games all. I thought I wouldn’t have to play a tie breaker.
I was too tired. But during these last two games, I made some horrible mistakes, so we ended up having to play the tie break.
I served. My service was very slow because I knew that she was very tired and I knew she wouldn’t let me win. After ten minutes the score was 6-5 for me.
The next ball was match point with me in the lead.
I committed a double fault. I was probably scared of winning. I only know that I wasted energy that I didn’t have to waste. After another ten minutes the score was 11 all.
I didn’t have any energy left so I tried to concentrate on making two aces.
The first point wasn’t an ace but she made a mistake. Now for me, it was the second match ball. Finally, I closed the match with an ace.
I was very happy.
After five minutes, I received my cup and I went back home.
In the evening my family and I went to a restaurant to celebrate my first victory in a tennis tournament. Now my tennis cup is on a shelf in my bedroom with the other trophies but this cup takes first place.
I do.
