I finally landed in Cat. 3.4.
Just a few months ago that felt like a dot on the horizon. Now, it’s behind me.
And 3.3, my milestone for June? It’s no longer a dream, it’s in reach.
But let me tell you, this wasn’t just about numbers or rankings.
This time, the court taught me something different.
If I don’t enjoy the competition, none of it makes sense.
That might sound obvious, but when you’re out there grinding, driving far from home, leaving family behind for the weekend, it’s easy to slip into this mindset of “I have to win” instead of “I get to play.”
And that changes everything.
If I’m going to carve out time from my life, travel all the way to Merate, and step on that court, I better show up with joy.
Not fear. Not tension. Joy.
I owe it to myself to be bold. To bring out my best tennis. To go for the shots I’ve practiced, not hide behind safe strokes.
I owe it to the kid inside me who still loves chasing a ball under the sun.
Starting Like I Mean It
Another lesson hit me right at the beginning of match one.
I can’t afford slow starts anymore.
Not in terms of energy. Not in terms of rhythm.
I need to start fast. Not rushing, but with intention.
Strong hits, even if I make a few mistakes early.
That’s how I find the “hand,” the feeling, the groove. If I try to ease into it, I stay too tight.
I need to hit hard, maybe miss long, maybe shank one or two, but that’s how I loosen up.
That’s how I can start owning the court from the first point.
Playing Strong, Feeling Stronger
There was a moment during the second match when I looked at my opponent, same generation, same “old-school” strokes.
And I realized something:
Unless someone puts me under pressure with modern top-spin and pace, I feel in control.
And that’s new. That’s not something I felt even a few months ago.
The work I’ve been putting into my athleticism? It’s paying off.
Six hours on court, and I was still moving my feet well enough to hit with balance, get into position, and recover.
That’s the fruit of those sessions when I didn’t feel like training but did it anyway.
That’s the investment showing up, point after point.
Bravo, Fer.
This was a good one. Not because I won.
Because I played with presence, not pressure.
And next time? I’ll go out there remembering this:
Every minute on court is a gift.
So I’m gonna spend it well.
3.3 is close. Let’s keep going.
Un abrazo grande,
Il Tennista
