Many professional athletes have and continue to compete on the ABC show DANCING WITH THE STARS, but  last night tennis legend Martina Navratilova was tossed off the court, in the first round.

Admittedly I am not a fan of the show, but I feel a personal connection to this particular contestant.

I came from a big tennis playing family, and had picked up a racket at the tender age of 5. When I was 10 years old I had the opportunity to be a ball girl at a big professional tournament in Milwaukee. I was really excited to see some tennis legends play up close and personal.

Given the fact I was about 5'4 I was to tall to be a runner by the net, so I was assigned to the back court. Standing at attention I was was the one who would hand the balls to the person serving. Low and behold I did the match for Martina.

Now back in the day she was very muscular, she still is, but even more so when she was younger. I am not going to lie, she was an intimidating figure and very intense. I was a little scared of her. But, there I stood, with her towel over my arm and handed her whatever tennis balls she needed.

I can't remember If she won the match or not, I am guessing she did, but looking back now, it was pretty amazing to be that close to a professional athlete who to this day is still a fierce competitor on and off court.

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