I'm glad I wasn't Bobby Gocltz's wife Saturday. Bobby had just lost. and it appeared that the defeat would cost Princeton's tennis ?? a victory it was heavily favored to earn. It wasn't a happy scene: Boboy sitting sideways in the driver's seat of their car with the door open. a sad look open his face: his wife in a similar position on the passenger's side, trying hard to enjoy her cigarette. Maybe she was thinking about the ride back to Princeton. Maybe she was wishing she were dead.

You couldn't help but feel a little bit sorry for Bebby. Never in his wildest nightmares could he have expected this loss to Bill Washeaer and now his only consolation was that he had extended Washauer to three sets. He was just too much of a champion to have to put up with this disgrace.

But Bobby Goeltz probably likes to be remembered, and he had insured himself a place in the memory of everyone who saw him play singles Saturday. There was the Coke which someone drove to a store to buy for him and which he later poured out in his unhappiness. There was the scene at the net after the match had ended on a long shot by Goeltz.

Bobby had every intention of shaking Washauer's hand, but he wanted him to understand a few things about his win first. "You weren't very good." Bobby said. referring not to Washauer's level of play. but to his calls on serves and other shots. Bobby felt that a few crucial calls by Washauer had turned the tables against him and had caused him to lose. "A few of those calls can make the difference."

And something else. The wind and the sun hadn't helped him. either, and he assured Washauer that he just hadn't played well. I'm sure no one would argue. Bobby had hit an awful lot of shots into the net-something he rarely does. Bill nodded. But they finally shook hand.

I'm not trying to jump on Goeltz for being unsportsmanlike. After all aside from comments about his calls in and out. I'm sure Washauer could take Goeltz's antics with a laught at that point. He had just turned in an incredible upset. and he didn't need assurances from Goeltz that he had done a good job. Besides, Washauer was not very happy with the way he had played himself.

And try to imagine what it's like for a guy like Goeltz, who is so used to winning. to lose to someone he would normally beat without too much trouble. It's hard to react good naturally.

The thing about Bobby that I found most entertaining was the monologue he kept up throughout the match. He's not the first tennis player to talk to himself, but I doubt that there are many who keep up the talking as steadily. "This isn't tennis today," he said a couple of times. "Do you like one side of the court better than the other?" he asked himself at one point. "Tennis is a joke."

But Bobby didn't break a racket all afternoon-not even accidentally. That's composure, especially when you consider the match during his high school days in Washington. D.C. when he destroyed four of them.