ITF

ITF World Summer 2021 39 one that is embarrassingly selfish in view of all the strife and hardship throughout the entire world." His calculations are indeed correct, and Van Nostrand is scheduled to go in search of his holy grail at October's ITF Super-Seniors World Team and Individual Championships in Mallorca, Spain. Van Nostrand once said that he "probably takes it all too seriously", but the best part of a decade after expressing this view, here he is plotting his latest title tilt and eagerly looking forward to making up for lost time. The Covid-19 pandemic put paid to his chances of eclipsing Main's feats last year, with the 2020 ITF World Championships, which were also scheduled to take place in Mallorca, cancelled. Being deprived of competition for so long has not dimmed Van Nostrand's appetite, merely served to heighten it. Preparations for his return have continued from basecamp and his golf- course home at Grand Harbor on Vero Beach, Florida. "Dealing with Covid was no big deal except for competing in tournaments," said Van Nostrand. "Getting there I didn't miss. The airport lines and my titanium knees being searched every step of the way are not fun. "But missing the ITF World Championships was a bummer, as the kids say. With no ITF Worlds, it cost me a valuable year in which to try to add to my selfish quest. "Boots and I pretty much lived in our own little bubble, not much different to pre- pandemic. She switched her bridge to online, seriously missing out on the personal and social aspect of the game, but I hardly missed a day on the courts. "It would be extremely nice to head the list, if only for a year or two. There are some very talented younger players working their way up."

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