Tennis Supremacy
Tired of your same old workout routine? Frustrated when you can’t find enough people to shoot hoops or form a baseball team? Game. Set. Match. Tennis is the missing sport in your life. Tennis is a very important sport that I love to play.
Tennis is an important sport to me because I’ve been playing tennis since I was three years old. The excitement and joy of hitting the fuzzy yellow tennis ball and keeping up with the ATP tour or Pro tennis players are just some of the reasons why I love tennis.
Another reason why I like tennis is because anyone can play it. First, tennis is an easier sport to learn when compared to other sports. It requires a minimal amount of effort and can be played in a short period of time while still getting good exercise. Tennis does not discriminate against age or size. It is known as the “lifetime” sport. People of all ages and skill levels can enjoy tennis, from my five year old cousin to my parents. There is even a competitive seniors division for 85-year-olds in the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Some young tennis players who are not yet strong enough to hold a racket begin by hitting a balloon with a paddle as early as three years old. The hand-eye coordination developed by tennis players is a lifelong skill that can be applied to many other important life functions including driving, playing an instrument, reading and writing.
I also enjoy playing tennis because I can play almost anywhere I go. Public tennis courts are available throughout cities, giving people the chance to play tennis for free. Unlike many other sports, I can practice tennis by myself by hitting a ball against the backboard or using a ball machine. Tennis does not require the help of another person in order to improve your game.
Another unique aspect of tennis is that, unlike some sports, tennis can be played in both an indoor or outdoor facility. If it is snowing or extremely hot where you live, you can still play tennis indoors. When it is a beautiful day, you can take advantage of the nice weather and play outside. Other sports may have only outdoor stadiums (football) or indoor stadiums (hockey), but not both, so there is a possibility of the games being suspended or being stuck inside.
Tennis is played across the globe, which makes it easy to find a partner or set up a match, regardless of your location. The Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) is a global rating system that determines your skill level and introduces you to other tennis players in your area at your same level. Additionally, I sign-up for tournaments or connect one-on-one with other players for matches and schedule with them when it works best for us to hit. When I play in a UTR tournament, then my UTR rating will reflect my results.
Even if you decide playing tennis is not for you, professional tennis is intriguing to watch and fun to follow. Many people who do not play tennis still love tracking the sport on its professional level. The ATP Tour (Association of Tennis Professionals) and the WTA Tour (Women’s Tennis Association) are the men’s and women’s ranking systems that track professional players’ performances in tournaments. These tournaments are played around the world, starting in January every year and concluding with the Davis Cup Finals in December. Throughout the tennis season, there are four grand slams. These grand slams are held in Melbourne, Australia (The Australian Open), Paris, France (Roland Garros or The French Open), London, England (Wimbledon) and in New York City, New York (The U.S. Open).
Grand slams are similar to the Super Bowl in terms of their importance. If a professional player wins a grand slam, they will receive 2,000 points towards their ranking. Of course, the winner is also awarded a big trophy and prize money. Many avid fans travel to the tournaments to watch the matches and cheer for their favorite players.
Besides the four grand slams, almost every week an ATP or WTA tournament is held in a different city and broadcast on the Tennis Channel. If you have ever woken up on a Saturday morning and thought there was nothing to watch on TV, skip to the Tennis Channel and you will soon be hooked.
Tennis can be just as exciting as an NBA or an NFL game because of the intensity and skill level of each player. Professional players can serve over 125 miles per hour. Players then attempt to return the monstrous serve with 90 mph forehands or backhands. Every point can change the outcome of the match.
Tennis is a phenomenal sport because it is a lifetime activity that improves hand-eye coordination while being easily accessible, inexpensive and action-packed. Go pick-up a racket, and I’ll see you on the courts