Why a survey?
Because I want to know who's serious about tennis.
Serious doesn't mean you give up everything else in order to play, but it does mean you make an actual effort to get better. And as I've said many times, you don't get better by being a year older; you only get older.
Think about who will take Sarah's place next year. And Andrea's. Who moves to one-doubles? What will the singles lineup look like? And where do you fit in?
Let's be honest: we basically functioned with ten varsity players last season because there were only ten I could trust to keep the ball on the court. Some of our new players came along nicely, but if they hadn't, that season would have been a disaster. If you were one of those who didn't have the skills and consistency to play last season, what are you doing now to gain them? If the answer is "I'll wait for practice to begin, in March" then you're not serious about tennis.
You know how short the season is and how few practices we actually have what with the rain and the scheduled matches. On the first day of practice next March, you don't have to impress me: if you can play, you will play. But if you were one of those who fell just short of regular playing time last year, and you show up next March a better player, then you'll be able to impress yourself—and that should mean something.
I drove by the courts three times this past week—once in the morning, once in mid-afternoon, and once when it was raining. (That one doesn't count.) The courts were empty. I know many of you have summer jobs, but whenever you can find time to play, play! Work on weaknesses. See people you don't know at the courts? Ask them if they want to play doubles. Challenge players you can't beat and learn to steal a point here and there. Don't settle for mediocrity in ANYTHING, including tennis.
And for yourself, beyond tennis: get some exercise, run, sign up for a fall sport, take a lesson—don't let this block of time go to waste. And for your mind, read David Copperfield, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, For Whom the Bell Tolls. See a movie with real actors in it. Listen to some music you don't think you'll like. Write a short story. Read the newspaper. Find an all-time top ten movie list and watch one or two. Send a letter to a friend—a letter with non-digital words in it. You know, paper? Pen? Envelope? Stamp?
The summer that, in June, seems to stretch out forever is remarkably short. Make the most of it.