National University of Singapore Day 4

Written by: Staff on 15th December 2011

National University of Singapore Day 4 |

Is it day 4 or day 5? I can’t even remember, I’m wiped out from practicing today at the NUL – National University of Singapore! It started at 7:30am, which meant waking up at 5:30 in order to catch the first train at 6am from the local Aljunied station. It took about an hour and fifteen minutes to reach the beautiful campus of NUL. There, I met up with MITS (Melbourne International Tennis School) coach, Dean. Dean trains a bunch of ITF-level juniors who are preparing to play the ITFs in Australia and the junior Slam there in January. The level of play was very good, I wasn’t able to really dictate with my forehand and the juniors had really good hands and liked to come to the net (Aussies like to coach an attacking style of course!). So anything short, they jumped on it, my slice wasn’t really affective because it was so humid and slow.

My shirt weighed about 2lbs heavier because of all the sweat. My spandex and shorts were equally soaked. I had to put my shoes outside the house because they smelled so bad. Now it is starting to make sense why pros on the circuit must carry around multiple pairs of shoes around, despite the added weight and bulk! It’s terrible dealing with “faulty” equipment.

After practice, I slumped in a chair at the student cafeteria and ate a Korean meal of grilled Saba fish, rice, and miso soup. That with a bit of the c (c for condensed milk), and an Indian prata (I believe made with egg), and I was able to focus again with more energy. I lounged and read a book, mailed a letter, and just observed the lunch hour rush of students. My mom attended this university back when it was way smaller and less developed. The campus is sprawling and gorgeous; like a private estate with skyscrapers built around the land with creative walkways and stairs to allow you passage between them. I passed out and slept for about 45mins in a booth, catching up on some sleep. Woke up and headed to the student bookstore to purchase some t-shirts and stationary. I was in stationary heaven, and luckily, NUL has a good supply of cheap clothing that was on sale! A few shirts and a track and field “singlet” that will for sure go over well in the states. Arriving home in the middle of the afternoon, I fell asleep again, zonking out because the weather and exhaustion was setting in. Made sure to hydrate with a few Tiger beers at dinner tonight and will approach tomorrow with eagerness for another adventure.

Good night,

Shubert

Topics: Thomas Shubert