This was the world of white lines， a game

    unlike any other， where the object was to win，

    only you used words like "Please"

    if your aim ended up improperly¹

    in the next court， "Thank you" when

    the ball was returned and "Love"

    after you scored first.

    Yours was the name that survived

    the hatred² only California can inspire，

    strong enough to be etched in fire

    on tennis rackets redeemed³

    by thrifty⁴ mothers who built a life

    on S&H Green Stamps a dish，

    a dish， a lamp， an ashtray⁵ at a time.

    ——Leroy V. Quintana