By Contributor Isaac Seelochan
There are many reasons why you may avoid playing tennis. Picking up a racket can be daunting, especially if you’ve never played tennis before. Here are 15 reasons why you may be avoiding taking the plunge on court and how YOU can overcome them…..
1. I haven’t played tennis since I was at school…
Lots of us left school a long time ago, so it may have been a long time since you played any sort of sport including tennis. You may be fearful of playing after such a long time but don’t worry, you’re not alone! There are plenty of sessions available including the FREE Tennis Experience at Nottingham Tennis Centre, which can help you to choose what sort of tennis you want to play and what level you are at. Tennis at school may not have been very exciting but there are lots of new, fun ways to play now such as touchtennis which is played on smaller courts with slower balls and Cardio Tennis which is a fun, ball smacking fitness class!!
2. I will be really bad at playing tennis and end up just chasing the balls around…
No one can pick up a racket and start playing brilliantly. Even some of the best players in the men’s and women’s professional game miss the court occasionally! Hard work and dedication can make you as good as you can be, no matter who you are. If you’ve always wanted to learn to play tennis then there is no time like the present as we are currently running lots of great sessions across the city!
3. Everyone will be better than me…
Not everyone has to be the best player in the world to play tennis. If you start playing regularly, you will start to enjoy it whilst also improving your fitness! Achievements on your own level are still achievements so maybe you won’t be getting that wild card to Wimbledon but passing your nemesis at the net will feel just as sweet!!
4. I don’t have anyone to play with
There are always ways for you to get around this problem. Men’s world number one Novak Djokovic has referenced how he grew up practicing against a wall. “Everyone should have a wall for a sparring partner – it never misses!” said Djokovic. We have 3 REBO Practise Walls in locations in Nottingham which are FREE to use. There are also plenty of FREE sessions available at Vernon Park for you to practice – we provide the balls, the courts, the racquets and the partners – just turn up and hit it!
5. I don’t have a tennis racket
There are many cheap rackets sold at Decathlon, whilst if you go for a tennis session your coach will often have a spare racket for you to borrow.
6. I can’t afford to join a tennis club
You don’t have to join a club to play tennis! There are several well maintained parks across Nottingham offering free or cheap tennis as well community centres and leisure centres!! Why not get creative and fashion your own court in the garden?!
7. Aren’t they all posh though?
Not at all – tennis is played by all spectrums of society. Some of our top professionals came from humble beginnings – The Williams sisters grew up downtown Compton and Ana Ivanovic started playing tennis in an empty, abandoned swimming pool! Tennis is also a completely inclusive sport with variations of the game for deaf and blind players as well as wheelchair players.
8. Do I have to grunt when I hit the ball?
You might see any of the top players doing this, but it really doesn’t matter. Making noises doesn’t affect how skillfully you hit the ball. Some players believe it helps them hit the ball with more power but this is unproven….
9. I only have time to play once a week
It doesn’t matter how often you play. You will improve more if you play more, but even if it is just once a week you will still feel the benefits of it. Tennis is a great full body workout and it’s way more fun than hitting the gym!
10. I am too old to play tennis
Although tennis can be a physical sport, there are different ways of playing. There are sessions available for people aged 50 and over – smaller courts and slower balls often means longer rallies!! We have had players as old as 92 play right here in Nottingham so it just proves that age is no barrier and you’re only as old as your racquet!!
11. I prefer watching to playing
You can do both at the AEGON Open Nottingham! The tournament is usually held at the Nottingham Tennis Centre in June just before Wimbledon and has several practice courts which will allow you to play alongside the pros.
12. I can’t keep the ball inside the court
This is one of the most common problems that people have. Nobody is perfect though and we all play tennis to improve, so try and use a shorter swing to control the power.
13. The weather is to bad to play tennis
Nottingham Tennis Centre has plenty of indoor courts for you to play, no matter how bad the weather is! There are also plenty of outdoor all weather courts with floodlights across the city so you can play all year round.
14. I don’t know where my local courts are
The handy LTA court finder tool will help you find the closest court to where you live!
15. Childcare duties keep me off the court
There is always the option of playing on smaller and slower courts, which are family friendly. If you enjoy playing tennis then you can always find a way to play. A swingball kit in the garden or a trip to the REBO Wall can be fun for all the family!
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