Today is World Tennis Day and the tennis world is celebrating with exhibition matches, introducing the sport to kids and generally paying homage to a great sport that can be played from ages 2 to 99.
There are many reasons to play tennis and here are five good ones:
1. Physical Health
Tennis is a very physical sport. For amateur competitive tennis, the only time movement ceases in a one to three hour time period is a 90-second water break every two games.
Physical fitness is important and if you are not fit in the beginning, you will be in a short period of time and not even feel like you are "working out". Keeping weight gain at bay is important so that movement on the court can be swift.
But unlike a sport like gymnastics, nobody has to be all muscle or thin to play tennis. Larger people can use their strength to their advantage, and frequent playing can keep weight gain at bay for those prone to packing on the pounds.
Tennis is a workout the entire body. It's an aerobic and cardio exercise (keeping the waistline healthy) and also strengthens leg and arm muscles.
Playing tennis encourages good breathing techniques because a 25-second lapse is all you get between shots. It's not a sport for those that don't like to move but it's so much fun you won't realize the calories being used up and the lean muscle being gained!
2. Mental Health
Tennis isn't just about physical health. Playing tennis is mentally taxing.
When playing singles, it's just you against your opposition. You're on your own, which makes it both thrilling and terrifying in the best possible way!
Your mind is constantly focusing on strategy, mentally psyching out your opponent and being able to change your play in an instant if you can see it's working against you.
In doubles, tennis becomes a really fast game with shots being lobbed, volleyed, ground stroked and smashed against you and your partner.
You need to work well and fast with your partner and again, focus on strategy and keeping mentally strong, especially when not doing well. But even when you are doing well -- and a win is looking likely -- keeping your adrenalin up can be a problem, and the brain is challenged.
Closing out a match is all about mental strength. When nerves strike, even a good player can lose. Good mental strength is a tennis player's best friend! This is a great workout for the brain.
3. The Fun Factor
Tennis is great fun, plain and simple. If a sport isn't fun, it's not worth playing.
For social tennis, you don't have to be fit, good at it, or young to play. While some are very competitive (me), others don't compete at all. They play "social tennis" which means scores are kept but there is no league, no playoffs.
People simply play for fun and fitness. Banter back and forth, funny shots and mis-hits, and great chat are all part of social tennis. It's also nice to win and is very emotionally fulfilling!
For amateur competitors like myself, tennis is fun. Otherwise we wouldn't do it. While winning can advance us to playoffs and championships, we also really enjoy the game --and a lot can be learned by losing a match, as well as winning.
Social time after games, enjoying food and a cold glass of beer, or parties before and after the tennis season are all part of the scene. Tennis can become a lifestyle for some who play all summer and winter, making friends along the way, as social activities fill calendars with all sorts of tennis-linked fun.
4. It's Not an Expensive Sport
Really -- it's not! Tennis sometimes has a reputation for fancy clubs, custom racquets and gear, and pricey private coaching. While any sport can have the "designer" factor, tennis is actually inexpensive. In fact, tennis is only as expensive as a person wants it to be.
Being part of a club is handy. Courts are at the ready and can be reserved to avoid wait times.
Lists are available that have all the names and contact info of people who are looking to play so that matches are easy to set up if your usual partners can't play. And joining a tennis team is easy.
But in some cases, one doesn't have to be a member. Many clubs will accept league/team players who are not members. And city Recreation and Education teams generally don't belong to a Rec and Ed club since these clubs are not common in the first place. Custom racquets don't have to cost an arm and a leg.
There are two things that a tennis player needs -- a good racquet and good shoes. Some players have $500-$1000 racquets because they have the money to spend. But most amateur competitors shop wisely.
I have two custom-made identical racquets (having two is a must for competitions) that I got by waiting for sales. My second one was 50 percent off. I found it online. I was able to have it made to my specifications (in terms of weight, grip size etc).
Good footwear is important to play well and avoid injuries but again -- great tennis shoes can be found at sale prices for as low as $40 in a half-off sale and these sales are everywhere, in shops and online.
Buying clothing and shoes online can save even more, and free shipping and returns are common.
There are free tennis courts everywhere. Googling your city or town's free courts will likely show a plethora of available courts.
Public high school courts are usually free to the public all summer and on all weekends when the school is not using them. You can check the schools' websites for when school matches are being played.
Public schools also lend their courts for league and division championships. Competitions are not expensive to enter.
Joining the USTA (United States Tennis Association) is $44 per year for an adult, but for this you also enjoy free monthly tennis magazines mailed to your home and offered online, free tennis tips, discounts on merchandise, decals for your car and eligibility to play nationally.
The average USTA match costs $13 and car pooling makes it cheap for all. This $13 will include new tennis balls and court fees.
Tennis balls can be bought in bulk at stores like Costco for half the price of a sports store. A tennis team member can play with good balls all summer for a total of about $5 when shopping smart. In terms of private coaching, many club coaches will do "side jobs" and coach elsewhere too.
Being coached on a public court and having a friend or two join you will give you lots of personal attention with a pro, and the cost can be as little as $25 per hour. Coaches are also happy to set up a weekly session for a period of months that can cut costs even more.
Tennis clinics are a great idea and cost about $20 for 90 minutes using a professional coach with as few as four to six players. Playing with a good tennis competitor on a public court is free.
Find the best players and set up friendly matches to prepare for competitions!
5. Tennis Can be Played at Any Age
What many proponents of the game of tennis will tell you straight away is that 2-3 year olds can start to play, and can continue to play until they are in their 70s and 80s. My children play and I also play with women are who are in their 70s and can still play well.
I took up tennis less than two years ago at the age of 41. At 43 I am an amateur competitor -- proof that anyone can start at any age and play for as long as they wish!
Social tennis is very common among players over 60 and competition levels are available for people aged 60 and over in almost all USTA leagues. There is no need to stop playing tennis due to old age, unless medically indicated.
Wheelchair tennis is gaining in popularity. You don't have to have legs to play. To play well into older age, simply play at the level that suits you, and modify your game to avoid injury.
The use of tennis bands ($8-$12) really helps to avoid tendinopathy (tennis elbow) and knee and ankle supports are inexpensive (from $10 to $30$).
Have I convinced you to take up social or competitive tennis yet? I hope so!
Even if you dislike competition, there is no need to play official matches. Ever. Simply set up games with friends and enjoy the game simply for the sake of it.
For competitions, you can learn more by exploring the USTA website here: www.usta.com/ or visit local clubs, Recreation and Education centers, and community centers near you.
Happy World Tennis Day to all!
Edited by Jody Smith