2007 DAVENPORT
& COMPANY CITY OF RICHMOND
TENNIS TOURNAMENT
WOMEN'S SINGLES FINALS
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Men's Doubles Championship |
5/20/07: So you're wanting to improve your game, and you've been working towards that end with motivation and a commitment bordering on obsession. Your bankbook is on fire from all the checks you've written for lessons. Your spouse is threatening to hide your racquet until the shutters are painted. Your kids are willing to sit through an early round match in Poland being aired on the Tennis Channel just to spend quality time with you.
If this sounds somewhat familiar, and certainly it does for many of you, then where were you on Saturday? If you were on a court somewhere practicing, or playing a match, then you are excused. Otherwise, you really should have been at Byrd Park watching the Women's Singles and Men's Doubles Finals.
Lots of men were there to watch the Women's Singles final. A count proved it: Male spectators outnumbered women by over 4:1.
"As a guy, I'd much rather watch the women than the men," one of them (who threatened murder if he was quoted) admitted. "It's not always about the tennis."
But the tennis was definitely worth watching on Saturday.
Starting with the Women's Final, which started off unusually. Bridget Reichert was waiting for her opponent to show up for their 11:00 match. Shortly before, Natalie Kretzer had called to say she was lost, and on her way... She had gone to Raintree to warm-up, but found herself on the other side of the river after following directions.
Reichert chatted amiably with her husband Kevin, USTA official John Royster, and RTA President Stuart Horsley. She was wearing a Virginia Tech t-shirt; Bridget played #5 and 6 Singles there not so long ago. Natalie currently plays #5 or 6 on the Tech team. "Been there, done that," said Bridget.
These days, Bridget teaches History at Douglas Freeman HS. It's where she went to school. She helped out a little with the girls' tennis team this Spring, and plans to get more involved next year. The Freeman girls' squad didn't make it to the Central Region finals this year, with the virtual tennis brick walls Godwin and Deep Run. Maybe with Reichert helping out, that could change.
Kretzer showed up, she didn't look happy. No pleasantries were exchanged as the two took to the show court. (I'm here to tell you: The Byrd Park public courts look better than ever. New fencing, new nets, new wind screens. Actually, the show court looks better than most country club courts.)
After what was probably a frantic drive on the Powhite Parkway, it took awhile for Kretzer to dial in. Hit with a game penalty for being late, she was down 0-3 in what seemed like about 5 minutes, not even earning a point in the first game. Her topspin forehand seemed to miss the back line on every shot by inches.
At the break after 3 games, Reichert took off her VA Tech t-shirt, which might have been what was intimidating Kretzer. (Fashion is part of a total game strategy, everyone knows this). Kretzer came out on fire and won the next four games.
The
rest of the match was mostly a matter of Reichert and Kretzer aiming
missiles at each other to see who would miss first. The
wind was a factor - the kind that swirls and blows at just the wrong
second and causes what should have been a good topspin shot to land
short. Reichert capitalized and claimed the victory 6-4, 6-3.
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Bridget Reichert
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Kretzer was cool with it. This was her best finish so far. "I've always enjoyed playing in the city tournament," said Natalie. She posed for a photo with her proud dad, Jeff, who tried to claim responsibility for his daughter's tennis prowess. "Right, dad, you were the one feeding me all those balls," Natalie joked.
In fact, it was Eddie Parker who deserves some of the credit. Natalie trained with him as a junior. She played for Midlothian HS as a freshman and sophomore. She left the team as a junior to focus on tournament play.
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Reichert, who grew up playing as Bridget Bruner on the Byrd Park courts, surely has trophies spilling out of boxes in her attic. Even so, she seemed very pleased with the latest addition to her collection. This is her first City title with a new last name. Probably won't be the last.
Women's Singles
Champion
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| Finalist Natalie Kretzer |
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| by Sara James |