What Retirement?

November 1, 2006

Well, a lot has happened since my last post. When I was asked during the US Open what my goal was for the tournament, I said to have fun and play well, but most of all come away with a title. And I did all of that - had fun, played some great ball and won the mixed - thanks to a great partner, Bob Bryan, and a little luck - both first and second round matches could have gone either way. Even though we dominated on the stat sheets - service breaks and break points, we split sets both times and had to pull it out in that ridiculous flip of a coin - the match tie-break.

It turned the final against Damm-Peschke was our most straightforward match of the tournament. Nadia and I played a good tournament as well, but unfortunately for us, Raymind and Stosur played a really great match against us in the quarters, only to lose the next day while not playing quite as well. That is how it goes sometimes. All in all I was happy with my performance, had great partners who worked their butts off and ended my career on a win.

Since my "retirement" - and this one is FINAL - I have been back and forth between Sarasota, NY, Los Angeles-twice-and Czech Republic. That was visiting mom, who is home and better. Mom cooked a killer mushroom soup-the best she ever made-as well as an apple strudel that I will try to duplicate soon-fantastic as well. Staying with her is a challenge so as not to put on weight. While there Juro Kralik and I had an exhibition of Art Grand Slam in Prague-it will be there through November. The opening was a big hit and while some newspapers there tried to suggest I started painting since I retired because I had nothing else to do, most gave us good reviews. Incidentally, this collaboration was a 6 year project!!!! Juro and I made over 200 paintings together - check the website.

I have also become a member of AARP, thanks to my turning 50 in october. Now it is on to South Africa for the Laureus Academy Forum. I have never been there and am looking forward to going to the home country of many of my good friends-like Liezel Huber, Mariaan DeSwardt, Michael DeJongh and of course Roger Anderson. Unfortunately I am only going for three!!! days as I have a corporate "gig" in the Bahamas.

The rest of the year I will be doing a few more appearances promoting my book as well as the Rainbow card. Like I said-what retirement? I just don't have to practice anymore...