Tennis in Thailand

Thai people are known for being kind (“jai dee” ใจดี). Thai tennis players are kind, even when they are losing. I have played at the CV Tennis Club with an adult recreational group several times since arriving in Nakhon Pathom. The leader, P’Tum, is a charismatic lady in her 70s who moves like she’s 50 and has a wicked slice like Carrie Jensen’s! Having worked with American soldiers in the 1970s, P’Tum speaks English fluently and has welcomed me heartily into the group. The other 10-12 players are between 25-60+ years old, most are in their 50s and 60s. One lady is a Thailand tennis champion. This group’s style of play has been so fun for me to observe and to participate in. However, I have had to adjust my style to fit in with the Thai tennis culture. 

 

Normally, I’m a bit of a talker on the court. I like to chat with my partner, compliment them on good shots, hit our racquets together after exciting points, call balls in/out, call the score loud enough for everyone to hear, and even praise our opponents. When I play recreationally with friends in Utah or Nevada, we have a lot of fun talking before and after the game, even while switching sides. These players, however, just play tennis. After a quick warm-up, we get straight to the game and don’t have changeovers. The game goes so fast. We try to get in at least 3 sets per player over the two hours the court is reserved. 

 

No one shouts, “good hit!” or “great serve!” or “Dang!” (one of my go-to’s when I flub up). Teammates don’t hit their racquets together after a scored point. If a player makes a shot that’s too hard for the opponent to return, the player says, “I’m sorry/excuse me!” (“khaw thood” ขอโทษ) and bows to the opponent with palms pressed together in respect (“wai” ไหว้). After the game, each player wais to another, expressing their thanks and respect. If a player hits a ball long or it doesn’t clear the net, the opponent often says something equivalent to “so close!” (“nit diaw” นิดเดียว) even if the ball lands a foot or two out. They are so kind. Here are a few examples of how they respectfully play (and what I captured is not their best level of play). Example 1. Example 2. Example 3. 

 

And they are still very kind when playing in the 104 degree heat with 80% humidity, bodies sweating, and mosquitoes attacking (maybe that’s why they don’t sit still between points). One of the players told me that since only have two hours, there is no reason to waste time chatting and sitting around when we could be playing! And sometimes it seems that I am the only one sweating (well, except for Sun -- he gets drenched!).

 

When Jaroun found out I was renting a racquet each week, he gave me his racquet to have – not just to borrow. What a kind offer; he is known by the players for being kind (“jai dee” ใจดี). Also, a colleague at the institute gave me one of his extra racquets. A gift, not a loan. He is jai dee, too. 

Kind Jaroen gave me his racquet.

Mr. He (who went to university in the US), Sun (who studies at Mahidol University), Kik, and P’Tum offer me rides home since it is difficult to get a taxi after 8 pm from the tennis facility on the outskirts of town. Usually, it takes me about 30+ minutes to walk, find a taxi, and ride to the tennis facility (all outdoors, with 6 courts under a large canopy). This is so different from my 3-minute bike ride to the courts at the Spanish Fork Sports Park. From the Institute to the university tennis courts is only a 3-minute walk; however, they have been upgrading them since before I arrived in January and may not finish their work until after I leave in August. I have patiently watched the workers hand paint each pole, sweep the concrete with straw brooms, and take breaks sitting in the shade to get relief from the searing heat. 

Tina and Thai Tennis Friends

I feel so grateful for these “jai dee” Thai tennis players for letting a scrappy player like me play with them, learn how to play with grace and respect, and persevere through heat and humidity. I intend to bring these qualities home with me to Utah so I can be ready to play in October with my brother, Ron, and my partner, Lisa Cook in the Huntsman World Senior Games!

Mahidol University Tennis Courts