The US Open is done, finished. The winners have been announced and now Baseball is presented. But what has really happened? Serena Williams, an icon in women’s tennis, announced her retirement. Rafael Nadal appears to want to retire. And now Carlos Alcarez is the new winner in men’s tennis. Iga Światek is the new winner in women’s tennis. Watching all of this tennis makes me want to play tennis and learn some French expressions about tennis. Let’s take what we know about grammar and use it to talk about tennis.
“Jouer au tennis” means “to play tennis.” So “Jouer” is an -er verb. Conjugate “jouer.” Je joue, tu joues, il joue, elle joue, on joue, nous jouons, vous jouez, ils jouent, elles jouent.”
It’s “jouer au tennis,” but “jouer du piano.” In other words, a person plays “at” tennis. But a person plays “some” piano. Now let’s play with some expressions.
On va jouer au tennis. On ne va pas jouer au tennis. Nous aimons jouer au tennis. Nous n’aimons pas jouer au tennis. Est-ce tu veux jouer au tennis? Veux-tu jouer au tennis? Oui, J’aimerais jouer au tennis. Nous voudrions jouer au tennis.
Here is a little conversation. See if you can translate it and make your own.
Marie: Tu veux jouer au tennis?
Jean: Oui, mais je joue mal. On joue samedi, à 13h00? Au Parc de Tuckahoe?
Maris: Cela ne fait rien que tu joues mal. Moi aussi, je ne joue pas bien. Je ne suis pas Serena!
Jean: Et moi, je ne suis pas Carlos Alcarez!
Un peu d’histoire: Tennis has its origins that go back to the 12th-13th French handball game called “Jeu de Paume” or “Game of the Palm.” People played the game with the palm of their hand. The modern game of tennis originated in Birmingham, England in the 1800’s.
Une Petite Histoire:
To play tennis. The game fascinates. A player could win on a serve or lose later in the game, if they make a mistake. Everthing can change quickly. Players lose their will to win. A player can start at 0, the opponent at 40, and still win a game in maybe 5 serves. The simple scoring hides the hidden traps of serves and volleys. We don’t know why the first point is 15 and 0 points is called “Love.”
Pauline Betz Addie won Wimbledon in 1946. World War II had ended. Europe needed to rebuild. The U.S., exhausted from its own war effort, needed to get back to a new normal. But the world had changed. Women had worked in factories to build warships and airplanes. They flew airplanes and worked on warships, spied for the Allies. This was still a time when women were not acknowledged for their talents and skills, nor encouraged to excel at anything. And yet, they did. Yes, they could vote; but there was still much more work to be done.
After her win, Pauline Betz Addie went back to waiting tables. But Pauline Betz Addie was a tennis great. She would go on to play tennis competively, at least in the way that women were permitted to play. When it was found out that she planned to play for money, she was suspended from tennis competitions. It was unfair. Today, things have changed.
I met Pauline Betz Addie in the late 90’s. A friend who had played the pro-circuit was teaching tennis at a school. I had learned a little tennis, but I never felt comfortable playing it. I played tennis with the kids, but It was easier to play with the larger foam ball. We were staying at our friend’s house and our friend mentioned that Pauline Betz Addie would be with us. When he told me she had won Wimbledon, my knees wobbled. This was an achievement I could never dream of. I tried to hide my awe of her. I figured she might just want to feel comfortable. In her unassuming way, she charmed with an electtric energy. Slight of build and fit, she moved easily about the house. Her eyes twinkled. I had only simple vegetables and lentils and made a lentil soup with bread, apologizing for my humble dinner fare. She smiled, remarking that my cookiing was delicious. She said that she wasn’t a good cook at all. It was a pleasure to have a home-cooked meal with fresh vegetables and good company.
At one point, the conversation lulled and I ventured a question: “What was it like to win Wimbledon?” She replied, “Well, I kept my eye on the ball.” That was Pauline Betz Addie, simple and to the point. She was awesome.