Rivalry, Family and Jokes

WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK OF A TEAM?

By Jason Steinberg

Arguments over whether their mascot should be a cardinal or a wildcat, brotherly quarrels on the court and consistent injuries are just a few of the things that the Men’s 2.5 team from Louisville, KY had to worry about on and off the court. This group of guys come into Mobile for the USTA League Tennis Southern Sectional Championships looking to advance in the tournament despite these tribulations.

The team can enjoy a nice “friendly” argument over whether Louisville or Kentucky is the better university. With the passion for college basketball and other sports in Kentucky, everyone must pick their allegiance between the two major universities. Captain Bruce Gillis says that they do not have a mascot because they would most likely argue over which school’s mascot is more appropriate.

The rivalries are not limited solely to Kentucky colleges either. Bruce and his brother Michael are both on the team and are very competitive when it comes to competing against each other. Both players take criticism from the other much more seriously than from anyone else and, while they get along off the court, this intensity ultimately leads to on court arguments while playing together. For the good of the team, the two have agreed not to play doubles together in competition.

While family issues have become like rivalries, Bruce Gillis has also received some good luck on the tennis court from a family member. His 9-year-old son gave him a lucky rock, and Gillis has kept it to this day. Since the start of the season Gillis has kept the rock in his pocket while playing in every match. He is hoping the rock continues to be lucky at Sectionals.

While the team is close with family ties, they have also gelled with their sense of humor when it comes to injuries. One of the members on the team has a tendency to get injured over and over but still continues to try to play. “We believe he likely holds the season record for most visits to a hospital or urgent care facilities following matches and/or practices,” laughed Gillis. The team jokes that it is not about getting injured at this point, but when and how the injury occurs.