Tennis
A New Year means a New Player...YOU! Since Spring 2020, we’ve seen a MASSIVE surge in the sport of tennis, as many more people across the nation and here in Dallas have caught the bug. Courts have been filling up, more groups have formed, and new players are emerging. This is all so exciting for tennis! And the fun continues this year as well. Now it By Jason Abante, 2022, more of this remains the same as activity continues to skyrocket. Not only in tennis, but other Tennis Coordinator variations of racquet sports as well. Pickleball, Padel, Touch Tennis, and even Beach Tennis! And we encourage you to try these new different tennis games, as it’ll help your “true” tennis immensely. We’ve got a consistent Pickleball group thanks to our membership and Tennis Staff/Pickleball Instructor, Wesley Edwards. And we even have some permanent pickleball courts soon!
The new year also calls for new resolutions. And what better way to practice self-improvement than through tennis. If you’re one of those players who caught the bug Spring 2020 during quarantine, now is a good time to really push yourself and give yourself some goals. Maybe now instead of practicing strictly on a ball machine, try practicing with another hitting partner. If you’re already there and hitting with folks, think about making it a goal to participate in some competition such as League, Match Play, or Team Season! Your goals can be as big as winning the upcoming Spring Season, or even as simple as perfecting that one-handed backhand slice. And you don’t have to be a brand new player to have goals. You can be a player with years of experience under your belt and still fix some aspects of your game and learn something new. I, myself, have had a racquet in my hand for 20+ years, and my most recent goal is to fix my serve. I’ve never had the strongest serve (it’s tough when you stand at 5’3”!), but I’ve gotten great tips and advice from our Director of Tennis, Jerome Millet! I also made it a goal in 2021 to play in a tournament, my first one in 8 years. My goal this year is to play in another tournament and actually win a match this time! Whatever your goals are, now is a great time to shoot for them. No matter how big or small your tennis resolutions are, as long as they keep you on the court, it’ll surley make for another great year of tennis!
TIPS FROM THE PROS
Use The Offseason to Gain Confidence on Your Weaker Shots By Jerome Millet, Head Tennis Professional
Struggling with that backhand? Uncomfortable at net with that low volley? A great time to multiply repetitions and gain confidence on those shots is in between seasons. Force yourself to get out of your comfort zone and practice those weaker shots. During practice matches, using the ball machine, with a sparring partner or a tennis professional.
16
WINTER 2022
•
LIFE style M AGA ZINE