Ryler DeHeart leaned back in his rocking chair on the front porch.  His grandkids sat at his feet.  One of them bounced a tennis ball.   The little guy asked:

     "Grandpa, you played tennis back in the olden days.  We've seen the scrapbooks.  What do you remember about that?   Can you remember that far back?"

     "I had some great times playing tennis.   I played at the University of Illinois and the team in 2003 won the national championship.   That team went undefeated.   Then, I started out on my career in professional tennis and won a lot of matches and several tournaments.  Had so much fun - and made a few bucks along the way, too."

     "But, grandpa, wasn't there one big match that you remember most?" asked the little guy.

     "Well, back in 2008, I won three matches to get into the main draw at the U.S. Open - and won my  first match by upsetting a ranked player from Belgium in the first round.   I won 6-4 in the 5th set. 

     "That was a thrill, but then, two nights later, I played a guy named Rafael Nadal.  He had just won the Olympic singles title, the French Open, and Wimbledon.   He was the number one player in the world!!

     "Imagine that!   Your grandpa playing the world's best player.   In the big stadium.  Under the lights.  National television.   I will never forget that - ever."

     No one knows how this match will turn out.  Ryler is a huge underdog.  Can he win a set?

     No one knows what Ryler DeHeart will accomplish in what we hope will be a long and successful tennis career.  

     No one knows how many times he will again face the world's number one player - perhaps never again.

     The Ryler DeHeart that we watched during his U of I career was a guy with great will and determination.   There were matches when he clearly lacked the skills and shot-making of his opponent, but won anyway.   He refused to lose.   One can only speculate how far that attitude will carry him during his professional career.

     But, no matter what happens Thursday night, it will be something no one can ever take away from the crafty lefty.

     It will be something to tell his grandkids.