Learning Tennis: Why this is great for the entire family.

Have you ever thought about learning tennis? The US Open is currently playing in New York and many people find tennis to be a great activity for the entire family. In this article, Allyson will share her story on why she took up tennis and how she involved her family as well.

Allyson writes – Living in Atlanta, GA, as a stay-at-home mom of three young daughters and a husband who traveled 80% of the time for work, I was struggling to find the time and energy for personal socialization and exercise. The neighborhood I lived in had a community pool with tennis courts. I’d drive by the pool and courts on my way to and from dropping my girls off for preschool every morning and see ladies gathering for tennis practice. I remember feeling envious of their lives. I spent the hours my children were in preschool from 9:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m. cleaning the home, doing laundry, grocery shopping, or basically anything but what I really wanted to do. One day, I decided I would try something fun instead. So, I bought a used tennis racquet and looked online for beginner lessons in my area. 

I had taken lessons from a tennis professional when I was a child, so I knew the basics of tennis, but to say I was a beginner is an understatement. I was blessed to find a young professional who offered lessons at a reasonable price and would come to my neighborhood. I started off having a one-hour lesson once a week. He taught me the proper techniques to a good forehand, backhand, volley, overhead and serve. We worked together for months in the mornings while my children were in preschool. And, quickly, I became addicted to improving my game. Not only was I enjoying the physicality of tennis, but also being out of the house and away from the “errands” if only for just an hour a week. Then, he suggested I find a team to play on to increase my knowledge of league play. 

At first, I was nervous to start on a team. I wasn’t sure if they would accept me being a beginner and being in my early thirties. However, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made as a woman searching for socialization as well as exercise. To my surprise, there were many teams in my area looking for beginner women to play with them. My neighborhood even had a team I could play on. “Perfect,” I thought, “I can play on those courts with those same ladies I used to envy.”

And so, my journey into the United States Tennis Association (USTA) began. All beginners start at a 2.5 rating level if they know the rules, how to keep score, and how to swing a racquet. Any player can join a 2.5 team with these qualifications. By joining the USTA, members can search for leagues in their area, teams looking for players, and locations to play tennis. They make it simple for anyone to start enjoying the sport. Once you’ve found a team and started league play, the USTA will increase or decrease your rating level based on wins/losses as necessary. What’s more, you can play in the USTA leagues wherever you live; there are leagues everywhere. So, if you move to a new location, it’s easy to find a new team, which I’ve done multiple times as my family has moved to new cities, even states, because of my husband’s career. 

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I’ve been a USTA member in three states for more than 10 years and have continued to play league tennis increasing my rating level from a 2.5 to a 3.5. Also, I’ve taken lessons, participated in clinics, and team practices, as well as served as the team captain of several teams the entire time. In fact, in 2018, the 3.0 team I captained won the local league playoffs and earned a spot at the state tournament! Tennis motivated me when I was feeling down, it provided help when I needed a friend, and has been a constant I can count on. It’s the one thing that made me feel like a woman, not just a spouse or mother, even for just a few hours a week. Even better, I’ve been able to share my love of tennis with my children. Each of my daughters has taken lessons and learned the basics as I did as a child. My hope is that they will continue to enjoy the sport and be able to keep playing into their adulthood. When my daughter says, “Mom, can we go hit some tennis balls?” My answer is always a resounding, “Yes!” So, don’t allow your age, your level, or your fears stop you from picking up a sport, like tennis. You may find it’s exactly what you need.

Having the opportunity to meet women on the courts during team practices and matches a few days a week while my children were in school changed my social life from nonexistent to full. Being on the courts together bonded us in a way I never expected. These ladies were all mothers, too, and were going through many of the same ups and downs of parenting that I was at the time. They were good listeners and offered helpful advice. They became my friends, my connection to the world outside of motherhood that I so desperately needed. 

Did you start a new sport later in life like me? Have you found one you’re passionate about and enjoy with your children? Will you share your experiences with us on Twitter or Instagram @MapsCookingKids? Until next time, Agape, be kind, and happy parenting!