Austin Karosi’s Postcard – Last tournaments of the year, Hong Kong

Written by: Staff on 23rd December 2012

Austin Karosi's Postcard - Last tournaments of the year, Hong Kong |

As the year of travel is winding down, I was heading to Hong Kong for the last three tournaments of the year. I had high expectations and I was also anxious to put my new work-out and training routine to use. (I will go into detail about that in my next post.)

How should I start… Hong Kong is AMAZING! There you have it. No other way to describe it. I was lucky to have some friends there to stay with, as HK is not cheap by any means. The city is jam packed with mega high risers. One building outdoing the next in style and architecture. Every patch of dirt is utilized. The most Rolls Royces in any city in the world! There were tons of stuff to do. We went to a horse race, which is part of a great Hong Kong tradition, but I’m sure always a loosing proposition. Especially if you bet on the underdog horse like I did. Nevertheless, it was a great day, as I had VIP treatment and did walk away with a nice dinner and great seats. Also attended a roof-top BBQ on the 17th floor. Funny thing is we were still looking up to the surrounding buildings! We were also taken up to the highest viewing peak to look down onto the City. Have I said it is amazing before…? Among the myriad of activities, it is almost easy to forget I was here to play tennis. And play I did. My new training was really starting to show. Well, …after the first week, during which, I suffered from some stomach virus and I was so dehydrated, I lost a match after being in total command, from 6,2: 2,0, as my body seized up in a full body cramp. Lost that first round match in 3. Bummer, because my next round opponent would have been a WC as a seed had pulled out. Oh well. The next week I was back in business. First round I battled my way back from 2;5, 0:40, opponent serving for the set. I only lost 1 more game from there! Great win, apparently fueled on by the snake meat soup I had the night before. Next round, I pulled another Houdini. 1:4 and a set point down again. It was an epic battle and the spectators were really getting into it. Even from the outside, people were climbing the fence to get a glimpse of the battle. This is why I love to be a tennis player. Unfortunately I ran out of hand cuff keys, and couldn’t get out of the straight jacket against my next opponent. However, my previous win was one of my best in my career. I was happy. I played well, and I was implementing the new techniques I’ve been working on.

In the next tournament, my first round was easy, as I played a local guy on a WC. Only lost 1 game. Second round, I was in a battle for over 2 hours, but pulled it off in 3 sets. My third round opponent was also the 3rd seed. I was not much of an opposition as I was battling horrible blisters on the bottom of my feet from my match the day before. I was getting medical attention for an hour before my match, but could not make walking any easier. It was a no contest. Sorry coach (dad).

I have to say, Hong Kong was a great experience. Both as a player and as an observer/ traveler. I can’t wait to come back. Made many great friends. Including a tennis fanatic, who is writing the “Greatest Tennis Book Ever”. When asked what the title was gonna be of his future best seller, he replied, dah… “The Greatest Tennis Book Ever”!! He also shared another secret…. It is going to be a Trilogy! Haha Apparently The Greatest Tennis Book Ever needs two more books to cover what was left out of it. Look out for it on the shelves!

Austin

Topics: Asian tennis news, austin karosi, Hong Kong tennis news, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, The Greatest Tennis Book Ever