Egils Valeinis was always eager to converse; the only problem was finding the time. The e-mail discussions that occurred in an effort to establish a mutually convenient time were both humorous and informative. They also provided an insight into an interesting backstory.
“Maybe we can talk on WhatsApp tomorrow evening?” Valeinis stated, “During the day, I have two brain surgeries,” and his latter remark was even more illuminating.
“I’ll have surgery in the morning, followed by preparations for the 52nd World Medical Tennis Championships in Jurmala. I am the primary organizer of this tournament and four social events for 260 people from 18 nations, with assistance from one of my coworkers, my wife, and both children.
“Besides, I am now on my Harley-Davidson motorbike, travelling 300km to Klaipeda to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Harley Owners Group, Vilnius Chapter Lithuania.”
More on all of that later.
When the interview finally took place, the 2023 ITF Masters World Team Championships in Portugal were well underway, and Valeinis was unwinding in his hotel room after a grueling on-court duel and a couple of beers.
He had just lost in three sets to Mexico’s Carlos Barra in the Austria Cup, the men’s team championship for players aged 55 and older. The match lasted nearly four hours. Latvia failed to make the quarterfinals and is now striving to finish as high as possible.
“Unfortunately, it was not a victorious day, and I am not happy,” Valeinis, who will also compete at the 2023 ITF Masters World Individual Championships, which begin on Saturday, told itftennis.com.
“It was pretty windy, and it disrupted my game. I am not a strong hitter; instead, I aim to play a precise game, hitting the corners and using drop shots and lobs.
While that covers Valeinis’ style of play, it is often more intriguing to look at the person behind the player, especially in Masters Tennis, and learn what motivates that individual to play and how they got to the World Championships.
