Constant losses

by David
(New Zealand)

Hi my name is David and this is my problem :(.

I began playing tennis in fourth grade and my friend began in sixth grade and we are the same age right now. By this time I assumed that I was the one with the two year advantage.

But here was the problem: In the middle of the fifth grade, I left my club for five months. Also,my cousin began playing at a better better club.

So, after five months I went to his club and we booked a court at the nearby leisure center to hit it out. We only had enough time for one set in which I lost 6-2. I felt terrible. I had been playing tennis for a much longer time but had my behind SMACKED.

I thought to myself: what should I do? Well what I did was book more lessons at the club. 2 hours a week plus training and matches at school. I continued with this and eventually won set (match) against him- 6-4. By the end he blamed himself for making too many mistakes. I just felt glad :).

However,the week after that I called him up again and he said "I don't want to play a match,can we just have a hit?" My mind cursed at him, thinking about many swear words. But my mouth said "Sure."

So then we had a hit but I had a stitch. Oh no why did you eat you greedy idiot? When my "friend" saw my poor form he said, "Do want to play a match?" What did I do? Back out like chicken (buk-buk) or take the challenge while handicapped? I took the challenge of course as I had beaten him last week. This time I lost the set 6-4 but didn't feel too bad.

I just thought: Next time I'll leave the kitchen pantry alone. So I did. But the score kept getting worse and I have never won since then, even a whole year later.

Since that time my friend has become a cocky little runt. Since I am taller I think of roughing him up. After taunts like "Oh David you just got owned!" or "Oh! I win as usual."

I personally think it is my emotions that cause me to lose but what do you think? Thanks so much for your time.