Stewart Dudley.
I declare him as my 2nd father. He’s a total father figure to me, I believe for all of us at NPTC too. He helped us through tides and storms and this rest, you could say, is well deserved.
I first entered Ngee Ann Tennis Club when I was in year 1, April 2008. To someone who didnt even know how to hold a racquet, to somehow now can play, I owe it all to you.
I will never forget those sending-me-homes from school. I will never forget how he praised me during the backhand drills in year 1. I will never forget how he always scold me for hitting too hard with low percentages. I will never forget how he scold me for not running fast enough. I will never forget how he laughed so loud whenever I made a stupid shot. I will never forget getting the nods of approval from him everytime I did well. I will never forget, I believe the rest too, the way he call me - Ah Soh.
Those acknowledgements from him whenever I did well proved how much I’ve improved and how much he has taught me. He’s not just a coach, he’s our mentor. He taught as not just tennis, but life.
I’ve 2 regrets towards him.
1) playing rubbish stuffs during school team trials.
2) not visiting him at the hospital and it was too late at 9am today when I was discussing happily that I will visit him today and this week then Airu’s dreaded phone call came..Now, he can’t watch me and us play anymore.. It’s a pity. But I believe he is and will always be watching over us in Heaven. Along with.. I-know-who :’)
Much love,
Jessica
