Another moment from 2023 that sparked pure joy for me occurred at the Wichita Falls City Slam. In fact, many candidate moments from that tournament are on my running list for future posts. The tournament organizers, Falls Town Courts, did an outstanding job with player amenities and services at this premiere event.
Sometimes, it’s the little things that make an event special. Since the public tennis center where the event was held doesn’t have food services, the organizers arranged for a series of vendors on site to sell food and beverages at a very reasonable price. One of the more creative examples was Charcuterie boxes that appeared mid-day on the first day of the tournament.
In retrospect, I am somewhat shocked that this is the first time I have experienced Charcuterie in a tennis setting. It works amazingly well as an upscale tennis snack. My box contained a nice mix of sliced meats, cheeses, vegetables, fruit, hummus, pita wedges, and cake balls. Everything tasted amazing, and it was the perfect amount of food for between matches.
The players and spectators tend to hang around on-site when a tournament has good food options available. That builds relationships and creates a sense of community and camaraderie. I have experienced the same effect at Intersectionals, as the event provides boxed lunches for the players. Breaking bread together, even in the form of a deli sandwich, forges personal connections.
This is an idea that I sincerely want to see at more tournaments in the coming years. Here is to seeing more Charcuterie in our future!
