Match Point for Rocco
Rocco is playing in her first tennis tournament against a much better opponent.
Rocco 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 Felix, the club champion.
‘Just play your game,’ said her coach, Holly the bear. ‘Enjoy it.’ Rocco nodded. She bounced the ball three times, tossed it high, and served. THWACK! It flew over the net.
Felix was fast and strong. Point after point went to Felix. Rocco lost the first set, 6-3. 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 Felix won the match in the end, Rocco had played her best tennis ever.
At the net, Felix shook her hand. ‘That was a great match,’ said Felix. ‘You’ll be champion one day.’ Rocco 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 Rocco feel before the match?
- What did Felix do at the end?
Finish stories to collect Rocco as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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