The story you’re about to read is about tennis. It’s also about Las Vegas. And it’s about cancer. Perhaps not in that order. Are you thoroughly dazed and confused? Keep reading.
When I was 12 years old, my dad, a radio and television personality in Des Moines, Iowa, got an exciting radio and TV job that he couldn’t turn down. It was in Las Vegas.
It gave him full access to all the Vegas stars of that era: Frank Sinatra, Ann-Margret, Dean Martin, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, Johnny Carson, and so many more.
My dad loved Vegas right away. But it took me a little longer. When we first got there, I was a fish out of water. It was one of those “we’re not in Kansas anymore” situations. Well, Iowa, to be accurate.
Adjusting was interesting and at times difficult. One of the first things I did after we got to town was buy a tennis racket. I had never played before. But I noticed that a lot of the people in my school played the game.
Even with a new tennis racket, I didn’t play much at first, because I didn’t know anyone. But when I heard that the tennis team tryouts were a few days away, I went for it. To my surprise, I made the team. I was apparently a better tennis player than I thought.
After that, things changed for the better. I made friends with the guys on the team, and then I made more friends when I made the soccer team, and then I earned the First Chair drummer in the band. I liked them all, but tennis has had lifelong staying power.
Tennis has helped me time and time again. When I was first told that I had lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, I went back to the court as soon as I was strong enough to play.
For whatever reason, I have beaten cancer four times – and three of those four times it was stage 4. Each one was a different and more aggressive type of lymphoma. It was rough. Very rough. But I got through it.
Besides spending time with my family, tennis became my most constant companion as I fought this monster. It’s been a long and very winding road, but I’m still here. And tennis has always been there with me. We are a tennis family.
My wife is my favorite doubles partner and singles rival. She loves the game too, she lettered in four sports when she was in high school. And my daughter is an amazing player, too, who excelled in tennis in high school.
There were times during my treatments when I was too sick to play, or even get out of bed. But I played many times during my treatment, even when I was not feeling 100 or even 20 percent.
Sometimes I’d just hit the ball up against a wall for a few minutes. Other times I’d play all day.
I’m not the only one who pushed his limit during his cancer battle. Tennis great Björn Borg, another hero of mine, dealt with an extremely aggressive cancer diagnosis. And he is still with us.
Men and women are equally vulnerable to getting cancer. It is amazing how many tennis stars have beaten this monster. But so many of them have survived.
The most poignant tennis story that I know is the one of Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, who were ferocious enemies on the court. But now they are deep and devoted friends. Cancer brought them together.
Their stories highlight tennis as a vital and positive tool, something that offers fresh air, distraction, community support, and so much more. This sport is for virtually everyone. Men and women, young and old. No matter the situation. It has helped people in all walks of life.
My thing is tennis. It is one of the reasons why I am still alive. And all the good things that have come to me because of tennis, including lifelong friendships.
Is tennis not your thing? Then walk. Or run. Or swim. Whatever it is, try to do something physical, no matter how small.
Keep your body moving. It takes you out of your head for a time. Keep fighting. Keep smiling. Never give up. Things will get better. It could save your life.
