Lawn tennis. What sport could be more associated with summer? Surfing, baseball, cricket, beach volleyball, Track and field. Quite a few actually. But it's definitely more of a summer sport than ski jumping. So, tennis is by no means last on the list.
If you don't know your pass from your tennis elbow this isn't for you at all. Don't even try to go on. Scratch now.
But, if you enjoy tennis and have started to read this because it's in the 'Humour and Satire' section, you may have struck gold. As in the Olympics. The summer Olympics. I'd like to think it's a highly sophisticated and witty piece of wordplay.
Try a few lines. You may decide it's far from being a highly sophisticated and witty piece of wordplay but more a series of loosely grouped and rather feeble tennis puns. If so, it would be advisable to call it a day after the Margaret Court bit.
In reality, which it's not, this is another piece of work that's designed to develop your role-playing skills. As lockdown drags on your sex life may be worse than ever. If you haven't read one of these before, there follows a script provided free for you and your partner to use as you will. You will need outfits.
As it's the height of summer and the grass court season, it's time for the lady to root out her extra short white tennis skirt and knickers, the frillier the better. If you possess a vintage wooden bat and tennis racquet press, you'll practically be able to smell the grass on Centre Court. If you don't and can't be bothered to find one on eBay, you're bound to be able to source a modern era version from somewhere.
The lady, Eima Pushova is a fantasy figure. There's no such player. I imagine her as a sort of Chrissie Evert meets Anna Kournikova meets Dolly Parton figure. Let me make it clear. Your musicianship is purely incidental. You're a beautiful, long legged, over-endowed athlete. An absolute knock out.
As far as the gentleman is concerned, who wouldn't want to fuck such a vision of gorgeousness? And what lady would be able to resist you, the umpire. An authority figure, a man of power, and one with a great big microphone.
The setting is not Centre Court, so you don't have to search out your slacks, blazer brogues and boater. It's the evening before a first round game in 1983 and the umpire has changed and is relaxing in his magnificent hotel suite. (No need to break out the Amex for one though, your house and a bit of imagination will do nicely.) He's wearing a standard issue hotel dressing gown. Be honest, you know you've got one you nicked previously. The young female tennis pro' knocks on the door. "Play!"
Miss Pushova: "Good evening. Am right to assume that I'm addressing Mr Ball the famous umpire?"
Dennis Ball: "You are Sir. I'm Dennis Ball. Can I be of assistance?"
Miss Pushova: "It's Miss, but yes, I believe you can."
Dennis Ball: "Then you'd better come in. I'll fetch my specs."
Miss Pushova: "Thank you. Is it alright to sit on your couch?"
Dennis Ball: "Be my guest. Yes, I see clearly that you are indeed a Miss. Now what are you looking for, tickets for tomorrow's match?"
Miss Pushova: "You mean the Navratilova/Pushova game?"
Dennis Ball: "Yes, I'm in the chair."
Miss Pushova: "I believe so, but I already have a very good seat for that. Let me introduce myself...Eima Pushova."
Dennis Ball: "What a co-incidence. Just like the tennis player. Are you her sister?"
Miss Pushova: "No, I'm the tennis player."
Dennis Ball: "I see. Then you shouldn't be in my room the night before I umpire your match."
Miss Pushova: "I just thought I could help you relax so that you'd be at the peak of your powers tomorrow."
Dennis Ball: "That's very kind of you, but the LTA would probably take a pretty dim view if you attempted anything like I think you're planning to try."
Miss Pushova: "Exactly what I was thinking you could do. Take a pretty dim view on some close calls."
Dennis Ball: "Young lady that would be highly irregular and very unfair on poor Miss Navratilova."
Miss Pushova: "There's nothing poor about Miss Navratilova. And have you seen her physique? I need all the help I can get."
Dennis Ball: "But Miss Pushova, you're asking me to cheat."
Miss Pushova: "Alright, let's go to plan B. What if you were so tired that you made a series of shocking line calls?"
Dennis Ball: "It could happen, but this is a very comfortable and quietly situated room. I expect to sleep like a log."