Tennis Anyone?

[bobkat]

This is my first time on the Forum. My wife and I are contemplating a move to Dumaguete next year so I am introducing us to those who might be interested. We are U.S. citizens, but my wife was born and grew up in the PI. I am a serious tennis player and would like to hear from other players in the area regarding the level of tennis, condition of courts, etc.

Regards,
bobkat

[tom56]

Hi Bobcat,
I will go to Dumaguete this coming december and I will check out the tennis scene, courts and culture also. My report coming then later.

[bobkat]

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate your offer to check out the local courts. I understand that there is a tennis club in Dumaguete and maybe some public courts. I believe that one or more of the universities has courts. Also, I recently saw a picture of a court in a park in Valencia.

My main interest is to find a group of expats or locals who play regularly. I am retired, but generally play with players who are 5 to 15 years younger than me.

Are you working in Saudi Arabia or a citizen? Have you been to the Philippines before?

Anyway, enjoy your trip. I would be delighted to hear your general comments about Dumaguete after your trip. I've not been there, but have visited other areas of the PI on two previous visits.

[jellyfish]

I play tennis in Motong. That's a private tenniscourt and is covered with a roof so we can play every weathertype.
Only when it is very windy (2 sides are open) it's less pleasant.
It costs 120 pesos an hour, so with 2 persons only 60 pesos per person.
The base however is not a neat flat surface and has quite a lot of uneaqualities.
There are others as well like near the Capitol.
That one is open (no roof) and very crowded (because free ).
Also in Valencia is one (I did not play there) and semms to be nicer than the two I mentioned.

[bobkat]

Thanks for the input. It appears there is some tennis action in Duma, which is encouraging. May our paths meet next year.

[Simply Alex]

Hey guys, I am from Los Angeles, serious tennis player...I was in Dumaguete 3 years ago and almost bought a house..well to make long story short...I am looking for something interesting in the area again, so one day I will play tennis with you...

[2blackbelts]

I used to be a "fairly good" tennis player, even played Andre Aggassi. (don't ask how that went). I don't play that much anymore because of the following.

1. Just too beat up from MMA
2. Time is making me older not younger
3. For some reason I have slowed down
4. Not as flexable as I once was
5. A few extra pounds have shown up
6. Some broken bones, torn cartilage, and other ailments
7. Don't look as good in my tennis whites
8. Too many other reasons or excuses

2 bb

[braveheart]

Just to let everone on this site know, "bobkat" is now "braveheart". "bobkat" is a take-off on my given name so it seemed appropriate at the time, but then my wife let me know that in the PI, bobkat (bobcat) has a female connotation. Since I'm not gay I thought I'd better change it. (Should have checked with her first.)

[braveheart]

Thanks for the post, Alex. I'll look forward to a match in the future. Keep me posted on your plans.

[braveheart]

There is still hope, 2bb. I don't know how old you are, but I'm 78 and lucky enough to still have some speed on the court. I play about twice a week, generally with guys 10 to 20 years younger than me. However, I have friends in their 80's who still play 2 to 3 times a week. Their court coverage is not what it used to be and their strokes are a little softer, but they have a lot of fun and they stay in shape. There are even national USTA sanctioned tournaments here in the U.S. for guys in their 90's. However, for obvious reasons, the draws are quite small. Get back into it and have fun. Tennis is a sport for a lifetime.