Match Point for Holly
Holly is playing in her first tennis tournament against a much better opponent.
Holly had practised for months. Today was her first tennis tournament. As she stepped onto the court, her hands were sweaty and her heart was thumping. Across the net stood Tessa, the club champion.
‘Just play your game,’ said her coach, Bella the bear. ‘Enjoy it.’ Holly nodded. She bounced the ball three times, tossed it high, and served. THWACK! It flew over the net.
Tessa was fast and strong. Point after point went to Tessa. Holly lost the first set, 6-4. She wanted to cry. But in the second set, she took a deep breath and tried a new plan.
She ran for every ball. She won three points in a row! The crowd cheered. Though Tessa won the match in the end, Holly had played her best tennis ever.
At the net, Tessa shook her hand. ‘That was a great match,’ said Tessa. ‘You’ll be champion one day.’ Holly grinned. ‘I’ll see you next year!’
The little lesson
Courage and effort matter more than the score.
Let’s talk about it
- How did Holly feel before the match?
- What did Tessa do at the end?
Finish stories to collect Holly as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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