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1. What connection does Wallace see between tennis, geography, and the wind?

The main threads, which tie the first essay, "Derivative Sport in Tornado Alley," are tennis, geography, and nature. Wallace connects these by discussing how tennis courts remind him of the grid of Illinois, how the wind of New England was difficult to adjust to in playing tennis, and how he was successful in tennis by taking advantage of the climate and wind. To Wallace, all these things are interconnected.

2. Was Wallace a "boring" tennis player? How so?

Wallace believes he was a boring tennis player. He played by always aiming for the middle of the court in hopes of benefiting from the wind. This usually worked in his favor, but he admits that visually he wasn't entertaining.

3. According to Wallace, why does television seem real?

Wallace explains that television gives the appearance of being real, despite the viewer knowing it's fake. Wallace explains that the reason it seems real is because people on television are skilled at pretending like they are not being watched.

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