A SECOND-CHANCE SERVE FOR AHMADI

By ROCKY STANLEY - The Independent

ASHLAND May 13, 2008 06:34 am

— When Amir Ahmadi dumps a forehand into the net or hits a volley just long, it’s sometimes enough to make him bristle.
But only for a moment.
The Rowan County senior considers it a miracle that he’s alive — much less playing tennis again — less than a year after an automobile accident left him in a coma for 13 days.
“I don’t really stay upset much now,’’ he said Monday as the 16th Region Tournament opened at the Ashland Tennis Center. “If I don’t play well on a point, I just think about how happy and thankful I am to be out there.’’
Ahmadi, a math whiz, definitely beat the odds.
Last June, Ahmadi was driving home by himself outside Morehead when he lost control of the family’s Lincoln Town Car on a foggy night. The vehicle spun and the driver’s side slammed violently into a tree, leaving the car in a U-shape.
Ahmadi remembers little about that night. He was knocked unconscious and suffered multiple injuries, including broken ribs, a collapsed lung and broken pelvis.
“It was kind of confirmed that I was dead,’’ Ahmadi said. “I was told later that when I was transported to the UK hospital, I was not expected to survive the trip.’’
Almost two weeks later, the son of Morehead State University professors Ali and Dora Ahmadi emerged from the coma.
“I just woke up one day,’’ he said.
Within a week, Amir said, his mother was asking him a testy math problem that he managed to solve.
“She was confident all along that I would come through it and get better,’’ he said. “My family and girlfriend (Rachael Fannin) have been so supportive. I couldn’t ask for more.’’
Ahmadi returned to Rowan County about a month into his school year. He gradually made the transition from wheelchair to walker to crutches and was running by December. Through the recovery, he considered the possibility of playing tennis someday but didn’t think he would be back on the court competing for Rowan County this spring.
“It’s amazing,’’ said Vikings coach Mark Kidd. “We were happy and excited to have him back. Amir worked very hard and has done really well for what he’s been through. I think it’s a miracle, and he does, too.’’
Ahmadi’s upbeat attitude and sense of humor helped boost his comeback.
“He’s fun to be around and always positive, never negative,’’ Kidd said.
Despite a battle with depth perception, Ahmadi has enjoyed some success on the court this season and seen his game improve.
“Within the last couple of months, if not sooner, everything with my tennis stepped up,’’ he said. “I’m not as good as before, but I’m a tennis player.’’
He played No. 1 singles for Rowan County on Monday and dropped his Round of 16 match to Rose Hill Christian’s Tanner Queen 6-0, 6-0.
“Several of the games were close, but I couldn’t get the big points,’’ Ahmadi said. “It’s a tough way to end my tennis career. He (Queen) played well. I just should have played better.’’
All in all, Ahmadi is not about to complain.
“I call this my second life,’’ Ahmadi said. “I’m just a lot more focused about everything. This is the best school year I’ve ever had. I was the master procrastinator before, but now I manage my time a lot better.’’
The top four seeds in all four divisions advanced safely to Thursday’s semifinal round of the 16th Region Tournament.
Russell has an 11-9 edge on Ashland for the lead in the boys division. On the girls’ side, Russell and Ashland are even at 10 points, followed by Boyd County with eight.
Boys and girls doubles semifinals are scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, with singles to follow at 6.

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