The Tournament that Wasn't

Words and pictures by Monique Seibel and Karen Brodersen

Spring weather is known for its capriciousness, but this year, after so little rain all winter long, who would have expected that the second tournament of the season—despite a theme of "April in Paris"—would be rained out? On the morning of Saturday, April 14, the roster of 19 players eagerly showed up for mixed doubles at Quay and Shorebird courts—all of them hoping that the threatening sky would allow them a grace period before releasing its burden. A fine drizzle began about 9 am, just as warm-ups were coming to a close.

The teams began to play hurriedly, hoping to finish at least one set. The quality of the tennis was thrilling—perhaps the adrenaline of rapid play sparked the early energy that carried them through the first game of the set, then the second. Midway through the third game, scattered raindrops were visible on the court surface. The players blinked the moisture away and kept playing determinedly, but by the fourth game the strategy of ignoring the weather proved to be futile. The courts were getting too slippery and the waterlogged balls too heavy. Then, suddenly, the clouds let loose with pelting rain, making quick work of "connecting the raindots" on the court. That's when tennis players know it's over. Gear was reluctantly packed up, and soaked players returned home. Mother Nature won the set and match.

Irene Muzio, the director for this tournament, recalled that the same thing happened to her tournament last year; she concluded that she obviously brought bad weather-luck and disqualified herself as a volunteer in the future.

By evening, the skies were brilliant and breezy as RSTC members gathered for the evening's feast chez les Jordans. Sumptuous appetizers, three chicken dishes, salads, and wonderful desserts of berry tarts and chocolate ganache rounded out the French theme. All agreed that the best-named dish, as well as the most authentically French one, was the Coq-au-Two-Buck-Chuck, contributed by Doug McCracken and Christian Nergaard.

Top: Irene Muzio smacks a backhand before the dots got connected.

Left: Partygoers (left to right) Paul Insel, Michele King, and Marie Horn sample the bounty at the social.