Sunday, September 19, 2010

A True Winner




"Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying
when you know you can lose."
~Tom Krause








Brady played in his first USTA junior tournament yesterday.  Two weeks before the tournament, he started a "countdown" on a piece of paper in his room.  I can't even describe how excited he was to get to the chance to participate in this tournament.  I on the otherhand was not as excited.  I felt sick in my stomach the day before and the day of the tournament.   He would be competing in the 10 and under age group...but I knew that meant playing against kids that are 2 and 3 years older than him.  That makes a BIG difference in the level of strength and play.  I made this perfectly clear to him that it wouldn't be easy...I know that he's used to winning...and this would not be the case.  Brady said, " even if I lose Mom, I will still get the practice and it will make me get better."   Okay...so he definately did not get his confidence from me!





The first match Brady played against a boy that was 9yrs old.  We watched from an enclosed glass viewing area on the second floor above the courts.  (To add to my nervousness, this room where all the spectators and parents are...is so quiet you could hear a pin drop.  No talking, clapping, nothing.  What a stuffy group of people...I mean seriously?!  Not my kind of crowd that's for sure.)  So, Brady and this boy are all alone down on the court, warming up, making calls and keeping score all on their own.  I was so proud of Brady and how he handled himself.  A few times I found myself tearing up...I would have never as a 7yr old, put myself in that kind of situation.  Brady had some great rallies, had a couple of deuce games and never gave up.  He lost 6-0, 6-0.  After his match, he ran to the net and shook his opponet's hand.  On our way to meet him...I wondered if he would get teary when he saw us.  Would he be sad he lost every game?  Would he be ready in another two hours to play his next match?  We couldn't wait to give him a big hug and congratulate him.  When he came skipping up the steps to find us, he had the biggest smile on his face!  He was so proud of himself.  He said to the other boy, "you're a really great player."   I'm not sure we've ever been more proud of him than we were that very moment. 




This picture was taken after his second match.



Brady played really well his second match.  His opponet was 10 1/2 yrs old.  At one point during his match, Brady looked up and gave us a thumbs up.  Brady lost 6-0, 6-1.  So, for those of you who aren't familiar with tennis scoring....it means, Brady lost 25 games and won 1.  When he won his first game (towards the end of the match)....he jumped up so high and did a big "fist pump".  He was elated.  That one tiny victory was all he needed.  We thought for sure this tournament would be an eye opener for him.  Maybe he would realize he needs to get a little older and a little stronger before he starts doing more tournaments.  On the way home, Brady said, "how long until my next tournament?"  Oh boy.









Congratulations Brady on your first junior tennis tournament!

We are so PROUD of you!

Love, Mom & Dad















21 comments:

Bring Pretty Back said...

No clapping and cheering~!? WHAT!? That is NOT my kinda crowd either! I am proud od him too! Telling that boy he was a great player. That is awesome!!!! What a good sport!
Loved this Kerri!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

Anonymous said...

Kerri that is so awesome! You must be very proud. To me the goal of youth sports is not only allowing kids to compete in a sport they love, but most importantly teaching them how to win and how to lose. You have a very mature little man. And tennis is soooo fun!

CB said...

Wow! You have one GREAT kid there. I think it is just THE BEST that he can love this game of tennis so much that the experience gives him a thrill.
Imagine as he continues to practice and get's older not only how great his sense of sportsmanship will always be, but what a thrill to him when he does start winning. He will also be sympathetic to the younger kids when he gets older because he has been there!
I'm clapping for Brady!! For his love of the game and his outstanding attitude!! Yayyyyyy!

Susan R said...

Good on ya Brady. You are going to be an amazing player, I can tell. I have a feeling that this will be the last time you see those kinds of scores. You have a winning attitude and a great spirit about you.
Couldn't be happier for ya Kerri, you've got a wonderful little guy there.

sloan said...

wow - I mean really ... wow! what an amazing experience for all of you - I can't get over how well he handled himself, what a heartwarming story - I think I would have cried I'd have been so proud - no doubt your little tennis star has an amazing future ahead of him ;-)

Toni said...

Great job Brady.....The McCarty Family is VERY proud of you!!!!!!

Jill said...

Congratulations to Brady! That is awesome and what a great attitude to have! Keep pressing towards the goal Brady...you're gonna go far!

Blessings,
Jill

kim {the non-mom blogger} said...

I love your son!!! He has such an amazing spirit - kuddos to you :))

Kim said...

Now that is a heart of gold in there. WOW! To be so mature at his age. Simply.Amazing.

Congrats, Brady!

{cindy} said...

This is so awesome!!
Brady is the true epitome of all the good that can come from kids in sports, a real love for the game and a passion for playing, not just winning. You must be so very proud!!!
Enjoy the day

And what's up with the "no clapping!?!"

Jen said...

Oh man! He is really gonna go far with this!
He has the right attitude. He will get soooo much better by playing these older and better kids! He really does love it and that passion will keep him going back for more!
Awesome!!!!

Nicolle said...

CONGRATULATIONS BRADY! You are a true champion and many other professional players could learn a lesson from you on being a good sport. I am so proud of you! I know your parents were beaming too Brady! Way to go!

Dana @ Bungalow'56 said...

Absolutely wonderful. What a great spirit Brady has! It will get him far in life. So glad I wasn't in that stuffy room with you. It would have driven me crazy.
Dana

Heather @ Life Made Lovely said...

congratulations brady!

Gabe said...

Its so great that he was willing to try this!! I have one son that would have and one son that probably wouldn't because he hates to lose!!

Good for Brady and good for you for surviving!! I always find it so much harder to watch my kids than it actually was to play sports!

Molly Melnick said...

My kids are just starting some tiny sports. I hope they can have the grace that your son displayed!

Coach Sharon said...

CONGRATS BRADY; Totally Awesome!! We share the same enthusiasm and "LOVE of the GAME"!!
Coach Sharon and Garden Spot Girls Team
September 21, 2010

Stephanie said...

That's incredible! What a great boy you have! Congrats to him! It's so exciting to see them pursue their passion with such grace at such a young age. :) He's really going to go far!

Jenny said...

Wow, what a gentleman. You are doing it right Kerri, he is what we all hope our kids will be. Congrats to him. On his bravery, his determination and his good sportmaship! So awesome. Sorry you had to sit with the snooty people, yuck! Sometimes parents can be so icky at our kids' stuff, so annoying.

Bridget said...

Wow, such a great spirit!! I'm glad he got the experience of playing in the tournament!

Barb Scott said...

Wow, good for him! He's hooked, you are going to have to liven up that crowd for sure though.

 
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