Billere: Day 2, 3, and More...

It's been a while. I get it. My blogging motivation has been waning. I'm not really sure why. But enough with the excuses, let's get to it. Last time I checked in with you guys we had just finished our first rounds of a tournament in Billere. The following day, I guess it was Friday, September the 6th, Frankie played his second round against a 4/6 teenager. This kid had upset the number one seed, who was a 1/6 older gentlemen, the day before so Frank was ready for a battle. As a spectator and follower of Frankie's game for the last several years I really only have one regret about this match. It's that no one else who has seen Frankie's game evolve over the last few years was there to watch it. Frankie was Roger Federer, or at least as close as he'll ever get to Roger. He absolutely obliterated this kid, I think it was 6-1, 6-2. The biggest difference in the last few weeks has been a change in his mindset. Most people who know Frankie know that he was supreme confidence in things he has absolutely having no business being confident in. His believe that he could complete an Ironman despite essentially no training for example. Yet for some reason he has been unable to muster this confidence in things he is quite good at, tennis for example. But in the last couple matches he's turned his swag on, if you will. 

Frankie and his very French chair umpire. The guy wore a scarf, peacoat, classy slacks, and had his legs crossed the entire match

His next match was against a kid we named 'The Turtle'. This wasn't a knock on his game, his speed, or anything of that variety. He simply moved and looked like a turtle. When he walked he would hunch over, thrust his head out in front of his shoulders, and waddle to the ball. In addition he had a bit of a belly, and thus his forward hunch gave the appearance he was sporting a shell. Despite this seemingly negative description of The Turtle's appearance he also possessed the largest forehand I have ever seen. It was outrageous. He would swing from his heels and bludgeon every single ball. For the pace he put on the ball he was also remarkably consistent. 

The Turtle balling.

In addition, despite his heavy frame, he managed to run around every single backhand and rope his Goliath forehand. The match started poorly as Frankie dropped the first 8 points. He then broke to get to 1-2 but dropped the next 4 games to lose the first set 1-6. He was playing absolutely great tennis but The Turtle was just unbelievable. The second set was more of the same with The Turtle grabbing the second set 6-2, and winning the match 6-1, 6-2. 

Frankie and The Turtle

There was one point of note early in the second when Frank and The Turtle traded 15 forehands that were all massive. After The Turtle left one a bit short Frank ripped a forehand up the line. The Turtle crawled over to the ball and hit a beautiful defensive lob. Frank sprinted forward, and in hit a sweet jumping overhead for an 120 MPH winner. It was one of those shots you hit when your messing around in practice and miss almost every time, but this time he hit it dead perfect. He turned and flashed me a sheepish grin, knowing he'd just played the best point of his young life. Despite the loss Frank collected a nice paycheck and was quite satisfied with his tournament. 

The winners and runner-ups of each division. As well the mayor of the city second from the left. 

The next few days we messed around in Biarritz playing some tennis and hitting the beach. While the routine is nice, it's starting to get a bit monotonous. Fortunately we have another tournament on Saturday, and then we will be heading up north for our last few tournaments. A few days ago, to break up the routine, we headed to Bordeaux to play a round of golf. 

Biarritz chilling.

The course was similar to many American courses with two distinct differences. First, because Bordeaux is famous wine country there were grapes being grown all around the course, which was quite cool. 

Notice the wine groves in the background...

....and again.

Second, there were several holes where the tee box was placed in a manner where one had to drive the ball across an active road to get to the hole. It was weird, cars would drive by, and you would simply wait for a break in the action before whacking the ball and hoping no car would come. Fortunately we avoided disaster, but it seems like a system with room for improvement. 

Some golf clips.

Cool hole. Right in front of the pond you'll notice two smaller beaver like creatures. 

He's very excited to golf!

That's all for now. I'll try to provide updates from the tournament this weekend, but I promise nothing. Although you do get your obligatory bonus pic taken in a French mall earlier today. 

Barack need's party too!

-Max