A night with no regrets, UCLA handles defeat with grace

Senior Katelyn Ohashi’s ‘perfect 10’ floor exercise routine
was a viral sensation on YouTube.

The UCLA women’s gymnastics team did not repeat as national champions this year. However, they handled defeat with grace and humility. Sometimes, as the Bruins learned on a recent April Saturday night in Fort Worth, Texas, when they finished in third place behind Oklahoma and Louisiana State after winning the 2018 NCAA championship, that takes more strength.

By the end of the evening, the Bruins shed plenty of tears and, yet, still they danced.

Looking back, perhaps not winning it all was a better sendoff for UCLA’s legendary coach Valorie Kondos Field, who taught her gymnasts to savor the joy of competing as much their victories.

The Bruins left the 2019 NCAA Gymnastics Championships with no regrets and they did one final dance for their Miss Val, who is retiring after 29 years as head coach. A trained ballet dancer, she coached UCLA to 19 Pac-12 Conference championships and seven NCAA national championships. She counted the late, legendary UCLA men’s basketball coach John Wooden as a mentor and friend, and it was him who taught her the importance of love and balance as well as value of accountability. As a lasting tribute to Kondos Field, during their last home meet in Pauley Pavilion this season, the bright blue competition floor was renamed Valorie Kondos Field Floor in her honor.

Throughout the 2019 season, the Bruins gave their fans so many great moments – the perfect 10s scored by Kyla Ross on each apparatus as well as Katelyn Ohashi’s floor exercise routine, also a perfect 10, which went viral – seen by YouTube viewers more than 117 million times – and turned the diminutive, former U.S. Junior National Team gymnast into an overnight sensation as she celebrated female empowerment while performing to music by Beyoncé, Tina Turner and Janet Jackson.

UCLA’s dance routines, all choreographed by Miss Val, were as entertaining as they were difficult to execute. Each of the core group of gymnasts who competed in floor exercise brought a sense of elan – an out-of-body experience that connected to their audience – to their memorable and enjoyable performances. Whether it was Nia Dennis portraying the Queen of the Nile, colorfully accenting her routine by air-signing her name; or Gracie Kramer’s “Hardley Sane,” whose escape from an insane asylum while wreaking havoc is completely believable and done in a “Twilight Zone” trance. There’s Margzetta Frazier’s ode to voguing runway models as she prances the floor to “Din Daa Daa,” by Kevin Aviance; and Pauline Tratz’s channeling of Coco Chanel possessed by an alien performed to Guns N‘ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle.” Finally, there’s Felicia Hano’s 1920s tribute to City of Atlantis mermaids as “Lone Digger” by Caravan Palace sets the mood, and Ross as the 10.0 thief dancing to Throttle’s “Hit the Road Jack” with toes pointed and a big, radiating smile that lights up sold-out, 10,000-strong Pauley Pavilion.

“They can forget the fact they’re a gymnast and they’re simply performing,” said Kondos Field in a Los Angeles Daily News interview earlier this year, “and in that performance, there are flips and twists.”

There’s so many things worth mentioning about what was to like about UCLA gymnastics this season, but it all points back to Miss Val. Last year, she wrote a book, “Life is Short, Don’t Wait to Dance,” that was part autobiography, part self-help, part leadership, in which Kondos Field, a breast cancer survivor, shared her insights on how to use one’s uniqueness and authenticity to achieve success. Its principles are something which each member of her UCLA gymnastics squad embraced.

Although I’ve never met Miss Val, I’ve always admired her sense of curiosity, creativity and attention to detail – and above all, the unwavering care, love and well-being she showed for each of her student-athletes.

Last week, The Players’ Tribune published a 10-plus-minute video letter, “Dear Valorie,” in which Kondos Field poignantly detailed in a first-person essay how she became Miss Val. Watch it at least once and allow yourself to shed some tears.

The UCLA gymnastics season has been over for a little more than a week, but the tributes for Miss Val continue to pour in. After I saw the Players’ Tribune video, which I learned about via Twitter, I left a note for Miss Val that read:

Thank you #dearmissval for all you’ve given to women’s gymnastics and to UCLA athletics. Coach Wooden was a very good mentor. As a fan, it’s been a pleasure to see how you’ve touched so many lives in such a positive manner. Indeed, #lifeistooshortdontwaittodance #noregrets 👏❤️☮️

I’m happy to note that Miss Val liked my comment. Indeed, #lifeistooshortdontwaittodance

Photo: Courtesy of Google images. Video: Courtesy of YouTube and Players’ Tribune.

’Our Lady of Paris’: Watching beauty on fire

Monday night, 6 p.m. Eastern / Midnight in Paris

Notre-Dame de Paris, meaning “Our Lady of Paris,” is a medieval Catholic cathedral, a sacred space of splendid beauty symbolic of French Gothic architecture. Built during the 12th century and completed in 1345, the cathedral’s stone walls and oak spires have stood tall and majestic over the city of Paris, a familiar presence on its own separate island along the banks of the Seine river. This cathedral represents the hopes and dreams of everyone. It’s also been the inspiration of great literature, too.

“Great edifices, like great mountains, are the work of ages,” the author Victor Hugo wrote in “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.”

Regardless of one’s own faith, Notre-Dame has always opened its doors to people of all faiths and denominations. It is a vast and peaceful space filled with humility and pageantry, as well as relics, rites and rituals. Replete with its gigantic twin towers, 295-foot tall main spire, and flying buttresses, Notre-Dame has been a highly-identifiable symbol of Christianity – not only in the capital city of Paris and throughout France, but also worldwide, where it’s been a positive symbol for so many Catholic worshipers. This cathedral has been an essential place for spiritual renewal as well as a gathering place, too. Notre-Dame welcomes 30,000 visitors each day through its doors, about 13 million annually.

I’ve been privileged to visit Notre-Dame several times since 2000, to climb its bell towers and stand among its stone gargoyles – which provide a gorgeous and breathtaking view of Paris – to listen to organ concerts, and to worship in both French and English while sitting among the faithful in its sprawling pews.

Inside historic Notre-Dame, an abundance of beautiful art and artifacts that record so much of our religious history – and has been so magnificently restored and displayed – is likely gone from tonight’s horrific fire. Think of the architectural achievement of this cathedral; it’s something bigger than ourselves. Notre-Dame is one of the most recognizable places in the entire world. Now, much of its insides resemble a charred mess. I’m hopeful that the twin towers with their majestic bells can be saved. Late word from French fire officials seem to suggest they will.

I close my eyes, and inside Notre-Dame, I visualize the Nave, the many ornate side chapels, the majestic pipe organ with its 8,000 pipes unleashing joyful sounds. So much work by so many, so much history within its stone walls. Tonight, it is on the verge of being gone – during Holy Week of all times. Thank God, there doesn’t appear to be any injuries or loss of human life as far as we know. However, we must ask: How will the Catholic Church react? How will the world respond? Where will the cathedral’s parishioners celebrate Easter Mass on Sunday? Where will people go to congregate now?

Seeing Notre-Dame on fire Monday evening – even from across the Atlantic Ocean while watching via CNN International and on MSNBC – witnessing the middle spire topple over from the fire – brought sadness and tears to my eyes. I never thought I would see something this horrifying in my lifetime.

I watched in horror and felt helpless, then couldn’t turn the TV set off. I’m sure I was not alone. This has been a day of emotional sadness – to see an architectural icon go up in flames.

The television images and the up-to-the-minute internet graphics being transmitted by the BBC, The New York Times and NPR, among many, were haunting and horrible – heartbreaking to say the least  – but very real. There wasn’t anything remotely “fake news” about this spectacular and staggering tragedy.

The Notre-Dame cathedral and its common history reminds us there is still an appreciable beauty in a world that lately has been rearing its ugly and intolerant head. Sadly, tonight, the Parisian sky is filled with smoldering fire and smoke. Life in Paris has come to a halt while the first responders try courageously in the coming hours to put out the colossal fire. We hope they are successful in containing the damage. The whole world will be watching, hoping, praying.

“We will rebuild Notre-Dame,” said French President Emmanuel Macron tonight from Paris, “because the French want it.”

Former U.S. President Barack Obama took to social media to share his thoughts with the people of France. He tweeted: “Notre Dame is one of the world’s great treasures, and we’re thinking of the people of France in your time of grief. It’s in our nature to mourn when we see history lost – but it’s also in our nature to rebuild for tomorrow, as strong as we can.”

My thoughts and prayers – and solace – go out to the people of Paris, to France, and to anyone in the world affected by this unfortunate Holy Week tragedy.

God bless us all and please help us understand this unprecedented catastrophe we are witnessing in real time.

Oh, Canada! These kids are all right

They’re just three Canadian teens with the now-familiar names: Bianca Andreescu, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov. After an incredible run of success in March, in which each made plenty of headlines both back home throughout the provinces of Canada as well as across the globe. I’m happy to report: These kids are all right.

It’s a great time to be a Canadian tennis fan, isn’t it?

For starters, Andreescu, 18, who began the year ranked 152nd in the world and entered March at No. 71 after reaching the final in Auckland and semifinals in Acapulco, shot up to No. 23 by winning her first WTA Premier Mandatory title at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif.

Meanwhile, Auger-Aliassime, also 18, won eight straight matches in Miami – including two just to qualify for the main draw – and improved his win-loss record to 19-9 in all competitions. He reached the semifinals in Miami after beating Nikolaz Basilashvili and Borna Coric, in the round of 16 and quarterfinals, respectively. Auger-Aliassime has enjoyed a stellar few weeks on the U.S. hard courts that began with a run to the third round at Indian Wells after beating fellow Next Gen ATP star Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets.

Finally, Shapovalov, 19, who had his coming out on the pro tour two summers ago when he beat then-World No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the Rogers Cup, broke into the Top 20 by reaching the round of 16 at Indian Wells. Then, he followed it with a memorable performance in Miami, where he strung together four impressive wins before falling to his idol, Roger Federer, 6-2, 6-4, in the semifinal round.

Together, Andreescu, Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov played a total of 30 matches during March in Indian Wells and Miami Their combined win-loss record of 25-5 was nothing short of fabulous. Characteristic of their wins, each was able to control the outcome of their matches by over-powering their opposition. When they lost, they went down with a fight.

Each of these prodigies wowed the tennis world – and the tennis media that cover them – by striking the right balance with their youthful exuberance and enthusiasm coupled with their obvious talent between the lines. Suddenly, thoughts of Grand Slam success started to murmur through stadium crowds and in broadcast booths – and on social media – during both Indian Wells and Miami.

“There has been all kinds of talk about the talent of this trio of young Canadians but one basic fact remains,” wrote Tom Tebbutt in an article for TennisCanada.com.

“They hit harder and bigger than their opponents.”

The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells provided such a memorable stage for Andreescu, born in Mississauga, Ontario, to experience overnight stardom. She won by showing a gritty variety in her game, thanks to her arsenal of backhand slices and well-disguised drop shots. Plus, she displayed a strength of hitting from the baseline that goes beyond her years.

Along the way to winning the first leg of the “Sunshine Double,” Andreescu beat four Top-20 players – Wang Qiang, Garbiñe Muguruza, Elina Svitolina, and in a dramatic final, Angelique Kerber, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. With hopes of another deep run in Miami, she began with wins over Irina-Camelia Begu and Sofia Kenin, then garnered a big victory in her re-match against Kerber, prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 Finally, into the round of 16, Andreescu’s painful right shoulder could withstand no more and the pain forced her to retire early on against Anett Kontaveit. Her spirit might have been broken, but she didn’t break out collective hearts.

Auger-Aliassime, who began the year ranked 109th, generated the same kind of excitement as Andreescu. As if expected, he became the youngest to reach the Miami Open semifinals in the tournaments 35-year history. Then, in the biggest match of his young career, age finally caught up with the promising Auger-Aliassime as the upstart qualifier was unable to close out either set of his 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4) semifinal loss against John Isner, one of the game’s best servers. “For sure, nerves,” said Auger-Aliassime, a native of Montréal, who has improved his ranking to No. 33. “It was like I caught a virus of something.” After he lost, disappointed but not dejected, Auger-Aliassime gathered himself alone on the practice courts to work on his serve that had failed him against Isner.

As for Shapovalov, from Richmond Hill, Ontario, he celebrated a recent victory by breaking out an original rap verse in the middle of an on-court interview that immediately went viral on social media. The lanky lefty with the one-fisted backhand and backward ball cap also displayed some pretty fine tennis in stringing together six wins during an eight-match run. Shapovalov showed his superiority in beating a pair of his Next Gen ATP contemporaries, Tsitsipas and Frances Tiafoe, in back-to-back matches. Finally, his luck ran out against a vintage Federer, as the Swiss maestro won 91 percent of his first-serve points and his serve was only in danger two times. Although neither he nor Auger-Aliassime were able to make the next leap in a Masters 1000 tournament and reach the final plateau, each now knows what it takes to get there. There will be better days ahead for these kids.

The reception each has received following the “Swing through Spring” in Indian Wells and Miami has been welcoming. There have been lots of smiles and happy faces. Both in Toronto and in Montréal, it’s been game recognizes game. Andreescu was feted at a recent FC Toronto football match after returning home, in which she presented the game ball, and last week, she threw out the ceremonial first pitch as a Toronto Blue Jays baseball game, adorned in a bright blue Blue Jays jersey. Plus, she held a big Q & A with her fans on Twitter, where she has more than 340,000 followers. She said, “What really motivates me is the love of the game. I enjoy playing. Having the opportunity the inspire others and travel around the world is also a big part of why I enjoy it so much.”

Last Tuesday, Auger-Aliassime received a tremendous ovation while attending a Montréal Canadians ice hockey match in his home town. For now, each is relaxing away from competition – as a recent Instagram photo showing Auger-Aliassime enjoy a quiet home at home playing Yiruma’s “River Flows In You” on the piano shows.

Looking back, Shapovalov recently tweeted how it was “so great” to see biodegradable string bags being used at the Miami Open. “I used 42 bags just this week alone. Think about how much plastic we are wasting yearly. We need to see more of this on tour and try to be more #EcoFriendly.”

Not long from now, new challenges will await each, beginning on European clay next week, and later on, there’s the grass-court season culminating at Wimbledon. A lot can happen between now and the time each returns home this summer for the North American hard-court season and receives a hero’s welcome at the Rogers Cup (men in Montréal and women in Toronto). One thing’s certain about Andreescu, Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov: They are young talent ready to shine on big stages. Each in their own way has made watching tennis fun again.

Photos: Courtesy of Google Images.

(A version of this essay first appeared in Tennis TourTalk, www.Tennis-TourTalk.com.)

These are my (social) media habits

In our modern age of 24/7 social media and never-ending news cycles – plus our desire to stay ahead of the latest cutting-edge trends in music and pop culture – what does our media habits reveal about us?

With a shout out to The Monocle Minute newsletter for its list of questions it often asks movers and shakers, here’s a few things you might like to know about my media habits ...

What news source do you wake up to?

NPR, home delivery of The New York Times, and the Washington Post online. On Sundays, I also receive home delivery of the Washington Post. 

Coffee, tea or something pressed to go with headlines?

As I am not a tea drinker, I have three different-sized French presses at home at the ready and plenty of Community Coffee brand French Roast. Also, I maintain a supply of Community Coffee instant coffee & chickory, and once a week I treat myself to a Starbucks grande mocha.

Something from the FM dial or Spotify for your tunes?

When I’m driving up and down U.S. Highway 1, between College Park and Washington, D.C., and occasionally elsewhere within the confines of the Beltway, I enjoy – borderline love – listening to classical music via WETA. The more Dvorak the better. Otherwise, when at home, I enjoy listening to the “Morning Becomes Eclectic” show via KCRW, the Santa Monica, Calif.-NPR affiliate. While I’m late to the Spotify phenomenon, I enjoy putting together some simply playlists centered around some of my favorite musicians, such as Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Wynton Marsalis and Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra, and Pink Martini.

Papers delivered or a trip down to the kiosk?

At home, it’s seven-day delivery of The New York Times and the Sunday Washington Post for me. When I’m traveling, I usually look for the nearest destination that carries The New York Times. There’s something about holding it in my hands every day and reading it wherever I am in the world. However, if that’s not possible, I’ll fall back on looking at the Times, either online or via its app. 

Magazines for your weekend sofa-side stack?

I look forward to perusing my two faves, Monocle and Racquet. The former I stop by one of the Hudson News kiosks at Union Station to purchase my monthly copy, while I subscribe the the latter, which is published quarterly. For years, I used to subscribe to The New Yorker just to make sure I never missed reading Roger Angell’s wonderfully penned baseball tomes. Eventually, I fell behind reading the magazine, week to week, and let my subscription lapse. If I’m going on a vacation trip, I might be tempted to buy a good travel magazine to put me in the right mood.

Are you a subscriber or more of a newsstand browser?

A subscriber although if I’m in a good bookstore, like Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle or Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C., I’ll be tempted to browse a bit just to see what I might be missing out on. As someone who is interested in content and design, occasionally I buy Dwell, which is all about design and technology.

Bookshop for a drizzly Saturday afternoon?

In Seattle, Elliott Bay Book Company on Capitol Hill. In Washington, Politics and Prose on Connecticut Avenue NW. In San Francisco, Book Passage in the Ferry Plaza Building. All of them are independent booksellers. Sorry, no Barnes & Noble for me.

Sofa or cinema for the evening?

A little of both, although much of my cinema going takes place on Sunday mornings, as my wife and I belong to a cinema club in Washington, D.C. Otherwise, I spend a lot of time looking for hidden gems to view via Netflix or watch tennis on Tennis Channel because my job as a contributing editor for an English language tennis website based near Munich, Germany, requires me.

What’s the best thing you’ve watched recently on TV and why?

Two shows, actually. First, Good Karma Hospital, a British dramedy about a disillusioned doctor who heads to South India for a fresh start. It’s available via Acorn. Second, Kim’s Convenience, which is available on Netflix, is a Canadian sitcom about a Korean Canadian family who run a convenience store in the Moss Park neighborhood of Toronto. Each includes people of color in starring roles and the stories are believable.

Sunday brunch routine?

It starts with bringing in the Sunday newspapers from the front porch, turning on the radio to “Weekend Edition Sunday” and fixing coffee for myself. Brunch at home usually consists of a parfait of vanilla yogurt accented with maple pecan granola, a small glass of orange juice and a bagel with cream cheese or, possibly, coffee cake made by my wife. 

Last media of the day?

Usually before lights out, I make one final, brief pass through my Facebook and Twitter feeds. Sometimes, it’s valuable if there’s a late-break story worth reading or a sports score I’m searching for. Also, I’ll check to see if any of my family or friends has tried to text me or shoot me an e-mail. Then, it’s lights out by 11.

Illustration: Courtesy of Google images.