I was one among hundreds who had the pleasure 20+ years ago of stepping a few feet behind the service box and warming up with “groundies” (a Curtin word) as my first lesson began. I LOVED being out there with Paul no matter how great or shitty I was hitting that day. Simply said : If he would have told me to stand on my head and serve I would have because that was the confidence and encouragement he gave you.
As repetitious as it must have been day in and day out for him, “he emptied the tank” at least with me in terms of his efforts to make me better - as a player and as a human being.
I met him at age 40 and not only did he have to break me of my 30 year old continental grip but of my need more times than I want to admit to “get a grip” on my life off the court.
I hope we all can one day in this new norm properly celebrate Paul - he was a very special guy who will be so sorely missed by everyone who ever had the pleasure of his company.
Robert Greenblatt
I was one among hundreds who had the pleasure 20+ years ago of stepping a few feet behind the service box and warming up with “groundies” (a Curtin word) as my first lesson began. I LOVED being out there with Paul no matter how great or shitty I was hitting that day. Simply said : If he would have told me to stand on my head and serve I would have because that was the confidence and encouragement he gave you.
As repetitious as it must have been day in and day out for him, “he emptied the tank” at least with me in terms of his efforts to make me better - as a player and as a human being.
I met him at age 40 and not only did he have to break me of my 30 year old continental grip but of my need more times than I want to admit to “get a grip” on my life off the court.
I hope we all can one day in this new norm properly celebrate Paul - he was a very special guy who will be so sorely missed by everyone who ever had the pleasure of his company.
Robert Greenblatt
