Tennis

When I was a college student in the US, I lived in a dormitory.

Within a minute walk from the dorm, there were a few tennis courts for students to play.

Once in a while, I used to play tennis there if I could find a partner.

In those college days, Michael Chang won the French Open.

It was a pleasant surprise to me as an Asian student in the US.

He is now a coach for Kei Nishikori.

Nishikori reached the final of the US Open in 2014.

This accomplishment was way beyond my expectation, partly because he had said, "I am not sure if I will be able to compete in the tournament due to my injury," few days before the start of the US Open.

He lost in the final.

But I was impressed by his interview after the match.

I had never seen a Japanese athlete so confident in speaking in English in front of a TV camera and thousands of spectators.

(A rare exception is, of course, Munenori Kawasaki of the MLB team, Toronto Blue Jays!)

During the tournament, Nishikori said, "Now I think there is no one I can't beat."

Way to Go, Kei!

It won't be long before you win a Grand Slam.

(September 2014)