Doubles Loss Doesn’t Dampen Austin’s Spirit : She Has ‘Time of My Life’ Despite 7-6, 6-1 Defeat in First Round at San Diego

The best indication as to how Tracy Austin felt about her long-awaited comeback came when Ted Tinling was making the pre-match introductions Wednesday night at the San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club.

Austin and her doubles partner, Robin White, stood on the steps just off the stadium court with their opponents, Betsy Nagelsen and Dinky van Rensburg. Because of a glitch in the sound system, neither Austin nor White could hear Tinling. Instead of looking nervous, Austin laughed and joked with White. And when she was ready, Austin bounced down the steps and onto the court while Tinling was still talking.

Her entrance may have been premature, but as far as Austin was concerned she had been waiting too long for this moment.

It had been four years since the two-time U.S. Open champion and former No. 1-ranked player had last competed in a sanctioned women’s pro tournament. It must have seemed longer to Austin because Wednesday she kept saying it had been five years since she had played on the tour.

Whatever the timing, Austin’s wait ended in the $100,000 Virginia Slims of San Diego tournament, and although Nagelsen and Van Rensburg beat Austin and White, 7-6, 6-1, the first-round outcome did little to dampen Austin’s spirits.

“I had the time of my life,” she told the crowd of 1,170 in a short speech after the match.

Later, in the interview room, Austin continued with the happy- to-be-back theme.

“I was calm and it felt wonderful,” she said. “I actually was happy with the way I played. This was my first match, and it was difficult drawing the first seeds, the first round. . . . That’s the way it goes. And I had so much fun, that’s all I can say. Robin is a blast to play with. I can’t think of anyone better to play with, first time out. . . . “

White interrupted, asking: “Martina?”

Said Austin, laughing: “She probably would have been yelling at me. I’ve never played with anyone (White) who tells jokes at the start of the tiebreaker. It was great, I had fun.

“I couldn’t believe how calm I was. I kept envisioning this. When we decided to play, it was two weeks ago . . . which was probably good because I didn’t have a lot of time to get nervous.”

And Austin wasn’t deluding herself in the least about the quality of her play. She volleyed and hit her overheads solidly, returned service well and generally didn’t make too many unforced errors. Kind of like the Tracy Austin of old.

But it’s hard to make an accurate comparison between the Tracy Austin of 1979-81 and the 25-year-old of 1988. Especially from one doubles match.

Said Nagelsen: “I didn’t really feel intimidated (playing Austin). But maybe it was because it was doubles. Five years ago, I wouldn’t have been bothered by playing her in doubles, either. If I had met her in the first round of singles here, I’m not so sure how I would have felt. I’m sure I would have done better, but that’s because I never did well against her before.”

Austin plans on playing doubles at Manhattan Beach next week, depending on the availability of Mary Joe Fernandez. After that. there is the U.S. Open mixed doubles with Ken Flach.

And after that?

Austin says she will play singles. Yes, singles. Preferably, she would like to play a few exhibitions before playing on the pro tour.

“There’s still a ways to go,” she said. “There’s a lot of room for improvement. . . . I know that in order to get back it takes a long time. It’s just really whether I want to be patient. I love the game of tennis, and I’ll have to learn to be patient.”