National University of Singapore Day 4

Written by: on 15th December 2011
Thomas Shubert 2
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:








10sBalls Top Stories

In Case You Missed It

Как Сменить Почту Комета Казино? thumbnail

Как Сменить Почту Комета Казино?

Как изменить электронную почту в Комета
No Key Biscayne, No Problem; New Site, Same Great Miami Open Tennis Event thumbnail

No Key Biscayne, No Problem; New Site, Same Great Miami Open Tennis Event

It was the end of an era at Crandon Park for the Miami Open last year. From the Lipton, to the Nasdaq 100, to the Sony Ericsson, to the Sony, to the Miami Open presented by Itau, Key Biscayne saw it all.
10SBALLS SHARES FAVORITE EPA TENNIS PHOTOS Of 2018 thumbnail

10SBALLS SHARES FAVORITE EPA TENNIS PHOTOS Of 2018

Roger Federer of Switzerland in action during his men's singles final match against Marin Cilic of Croatia at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 28 January 2018.
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT FOR ANY TENNIS PLAYER & FAN thumbnail

THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT FOR ANY TENNIS PLAYER & FAN

Are lefties more successful than right-handed players? Which player admits to smashing 70 rackets a year during his career? All these questions, and so many more, are answered in entertaining infographics in the new book YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!
ATP MEN’S TENNIS • WILL IT MOVE FROM LONDON TO MANCHESTER OR TOKYO OR SINGAPORE? OR TURIN? thumbnail

ATP MEN’S TENNIS • WILL IT MOVE FROM LONDON TO MANCHESTER OR TOKYO OR SINGAPORE? OR TURIN?

The ATP announced a group of potential host sites for the Nitto ATP Finals starting in 2021, and it includes London, Manchester, Singapore, Tokyo, and Turin.