PHILADELPHIA - After a grueling match in a pressure situation, Dick Waterfall thought - if only for a second - that he might not be able to get out of bed the next day.
It's a good thing he did.
Waterfall, a Marlboro, MA resident, put together a string of excellent tennis and emerged with a bronze ball at the USTA 45s Grass Court National Championships at Germantown Cricket Club.
"Going into the tournament, I gave myself zero chance," said Waterfall, a tennis pro and director at several Massachusetts clubs. "I just wanted to get through a couple rounds, and I was actually lucky to get through the first round."
Waterfall's self-doubt wasn't a result of not being on the court. In fact, between teaching and playing, he hasn't missed a day of tennis in 30 years.
"I hadn't played in a tournament setting as competitive as a National in a long time, and I hadn't done any practicing on grass," said Waterfall, who played NCAA Division 1 tennis at the University of Evansville. "I walked into the club and realized that I was playing the (host) club champion. So obviously, this was a good player with plenty of time spent on grass courts."
After winning his opening match, he said, Waterfall began to feel more comfortable and gained a measure of confidence.
That confidence carried over to an epic third-round match, during which he fended off the elements and a top-flight opponent in a match that lasted three hours.
Waterfall's success will likely lead to more tournament participation, particularly high-level events.
"I was glad to know that I could still hold my own and compete against quality players," he said. "I had a lot of fun testing myself."
Waterfall's next foray into national tournaments may come this winter when he is hoping to take part in the Fiesta Bowl.