MATCH POINT

MATCHMATCH

POINTPOINT

No matter who you are, how much money you have or what shape you’re in, anyone can get a great workout in by trying out tennis. While hard-hitting stars like Serena Williams and Rodger Federer make this sport look anything but easy, we’re here to tell you that all it takes to start reaping the benefits of tennis is a racket and the courage to step out on the court—it’s aces!

words_kylea henseler. photo_tiana torkan. design_lindsay jayne.

From cities to country clubs, tennis never really went away. “I tennis is a popular pastime for a want to play for the rest of my few simple reasons. It’s a social life,” Podolsky said. Today, she sport that provides a whole-body continues to rack up experience, workout which athletes can play but now as a summer camp throughout their entire life. De- coach, breaking out her gear spite the coordinated outfits and whenever she gets a chance back high-performance gear you may see on TV, it’s not that expensive to pick up: all you really need are tennis balls and a racket, which can even be borrowed in a pinch. home. Tiffany Bittar, a sophomore psychology major, has a similar story, having played competitively in high school From cities to country clubs, tennis is a popular pastime for a few simple reasons. It’s a social sport that provides a wholebody workout athletes can play Abby Podolsky, a before coming to UM. Tennis, throughout their entire life. Despite the senior marketing major at Uni- she said, is a humbling sport—it coordinated outfits and high-performance versity of Miami, picked up her teaches one to work with a part-gear you may see on television, it’s not an first tennis racket when she was ner (if they’re playing doubles), expensive sport to pick up: all you really need just three years old and hasn’t and allows one to test themself. are tennis balls and a racket, which could put it down since. As a child, she “It’s easy enough to pick up,” she even be borrowed in a pinch. played competitively, winning said, “but hard to get good at.” Abby Podolsky, a senior marketing major two state championships in high Playing singles, she said, also in-at University of Miami, picked up her first school and being ranked as the spires players to rely on and take tennis racket when she was just three years top female singles player in Del- responsibility for themselves. old and hasn’t put it down since. As a child, aware at one point in her career. Because when you’re the only she played competitively, winning two state These days, Podolsky doesn’t play one out there, it’s hard to blame championships in high school and being for the big trophies; despite being others for mistakes. ranked as the top female singles player in scouted by colleges, she put her For beginners looking Delaware at one point in her career. These academic success over her athlet- to step on the court for the first days, Podolsky doesn’t play for the big ic one. “I ended up choosing life time, Podolsky’s advice is simple: trophies; despite being scouted by colleges, over tennis,” she said. “I wanted Just get out there. While the she put her academic success over her athletic to learn at a school that was at sport can be played at a very high one. “I ended up choosing life over tennis,” my level academically.” But the level, lots of players of all ages do she said. “I wanted to learn at a school that was at my level academically.” But tennis never really went away. “I want to play for the rest of my life,” Podolsky said. Today, she continues to rack up experience, but now as a summer camp coach, breaking out her gear whenever she gets a chance back home. Tiffany Bittar, a sophomore psychology major, has a similar story, having played competitively in high school before coming to UM. Tennis, she said, is a humbling it purely for fun. As a workout, Bittar said, tennis provides a little bit of everything—players run and sidestep to hit the ball, working all sorts of muscle groups as well as testing cardiovascular stamina. It can be as intense (or un-intense) as the players make sport—it teaches one to work with a partner it—another reason the sport is (if they’re playing doubles), and allows one popular amongst an older crowd. to test themself. “It’s easy enough to pick up,” “You probably can’t she said, “but hard to get good at.” Playing play football when you’re 60,” singles, she said, also inspires players to rely said Catalina Gonzalez, vice on and take responsibility for themselves. president of UM’s Club Tennis Because when you’re the only one out there, team and a sophomore health it’s hard to blame others for mistakes. management and policy major. For beginners looking to step on the court “But tennis is a lifelong sport.” for the first time, Podolsky’s advice is simple: Gonzalez said anyone Just get out there. While the sport can be looking to play on campus is welplayed at a very high level, lots of players of come in the club, which has close all ages do it purely for fun. As a workout, to 200 members. Those with a Bittar said, tennis provides a little bit of competitive edge, she said, can everything—players run and sidestep to hit try out for the competition team, the ball, working all sorts of muscle groups which travels around Florida as well as testing cardiovascular stamina. It playing other schools. But for can be as intense (or unintense) as the players newbies or individuals looking make it—another reason the sport is popular to play for fun, she said the club’s amongst an older crowd. recreational group is a great “You probably can’t play football when place to get started, make some you’re 60,” said Catalina Gonzalez, vice friends and work on new skills. president of UM’s Club Tennis team and a sophomore health management and policy major. “But tennis is a lifelong sport.”

Gonzalez said anyone looking to play on campus is welcome in the club. Those with a competitive edge, she said, can try out for the competition team, which travels around Florida playing other schools. But for newbies or individuals looking to play for fun, she said the club’s recreational group is a great place to get started, make some friends and work on new skills.

WHERE TO PLAY

Looking to get a few sets in? You don’t need a membership to a fancy club. Check out these free courts located near the University of Miami!

Neil Schiff Tennis Center

5821 San Amaro Dr. Coral Gables, FL 33146

Phillip’s Park

90 Menores Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Saga Bay Park

SW 205 ST & 80 Ave. Cutler Bay, FL 33189

Brewer Park

6300 Miller Dr. Miami, FL 33155