A Message to all the Weekend Warriors - by Paul Newman

Sorry if this goes a little long.  Thanks to everyone who makes this league so great.  I really enjoyed this past season, as it was the first time I was healthy in two years.  I had 4 great matches that went to 3rd set tiebreakers, and was fortunate to win them all.  Unfortunately, it all came crashing down in my semi-final match vs Andres.  I injured my back, but played through it because it was the playoffs.  Even though I couldn't run or turn, somehow I eeked out the 3rd set tiebreaker.  The next day I couldn't move because of severe sciatic pain.  I saw the doctor right away and he prescribed drugs, physical therapy, and said no more tennis for now.  But this was the playoffs.  After 10 days of rest, I felt better and thought I was cured.  So I played with Dennis to get ready for the upcoming final.  I played well, and felt good, but each day after I felt worse and worse.  Now it was the day of the final vs Leandro, and I decided to play even though I knew I was in bad shape.  It was the playoffs.  I played great and won.  Now I could focus on healing.  Unfortunately, the next day and for two weeks, I could barely move my back at all, and I lost a lot of feeling in one leg.  It's been almost a month, and I'm finally starting to get the feel back.  The moral of the story is, if your doctor tells you to step away for the game for a while, you should listen to him, even if you have an important match coming up.  All of us in this league are not as young as we once were.  He said I definitely did more damage by continuing to play.  I'm done for at least 3 months, possibly permanently, but let's hope not.  Good luck to everyone in the upcoming season and I hope to see you soon!