Because humor is funnier when you know it's true.
Tennis with Ivan
Back in the 80’s when Ivan Lendl was the world’s top tennis player, Big Brothers/Big Sisters ran a charity event in NY giving folks the chance to play Ivan for a mere $100 donation. My company contributed $400 to that event, and then held a lottery to give four lucky employees the chance to play with Ivan. Turns out, I was one of those lucky employees! This was both thrilling and terrifying. Mostly terrifying.
Being the introverted type, the idea of playing in front of an audience was intimidating enough. The idea of playing Ivan Lendl in front of an audience was overwhelming, especially given my mediocre tennis skills. But envious coworkers told me that this was an opportunity of a lifetime, and that I would be crazy, and a total wimp, if I didn’t do this. And so I did.
On the day of the event, we were randomly grouped into teams of three players, to join Ivan in games of doubles. I learned that we would play three games with and against him, rotating so that each mortal had the chance to serve one game. I assumed this was because it would preserve Ivan’s serving arm for his professional efforts. And because Ivan would crush us if he did serve.
As each group got its turn to play, the waiting groups got to warm up on practice courts. My little group of three strangers slowly advanced court by court toward Ivan’s center court. With each advancement, my terror level increased. When it was finally time for the big show, I wasn’t sure if I could hold my racket steady enough to hit a watermelon.
As we walked onto his court, Ivan greeted each of us with a handshake and a smile. He was a nice guy whose friendliness helped to take some of the edge off. He picked one guy as his first partner, to serve against me and the other guy. In that first game, Ivan’s partner served an underwhelming game, but Ivan had him covered, so that they beat us handily.