Tennis Tips: Getting Prepped for Summer Tennis Season
The weather is getting better, Mother Nature is teasing us with hints that summer is just around the corner, and it all means one thing. Tennis time!
(Image: Newscom) - The tennis court at Beijing…what an amazing view!
Amazing how the number of people on the tennis court grows in leaps and bounds when the sun is shining warm, isn’t it? People I never thought would be seen holding a racket are out there chasing fuzzy yellow balls.
So what do you need to do to get ready for the summer tennis season?
1. Get in shape, yo. I know, I know - tennis is supposed to be the vehicle to get you in shape for the times you go to the beach. I’m not buying that, and you shouldn’t either. Why? Because if you hit the courts out of shape, you won’t actually enjoy your time playing tennis. The more in shape you are, the better you can move across the court and the harder you can hit the ball. Plus, you look good. Who doesn’t want that?
2. Inspect your equipment and update it if necessary. How’s the ball supply? I hit with a friend a few weeks ago and he had some old tennis balls. One was just a complete dud. Absolutely worthless. I hit it, and it went careening off over the fence and I swear it wasn’t user-error. Not that time. Does your racket need regripped or restrung? Maybe it’s time to add another racket or two so there’s actually something in that fancy tennis bag you’re always carting around.
3. The threads on your back - what to wear? I’ve never been a stickler for what people show up to play in. I’m of the mindset that it’s optional clothing (but never clothing optional - I’m liberal but not to the point where I’m promoting nudist tennis. That gives a whole different meaning to ballin’). I like to wear gym shorts and a t-shirt or tanktop. I’m also very much of a tomboy (yes, I’m still that way.) and I would never be caught wearing some tiny little tennis skirt. But if that’s what you want, by all means go for it. Just know that you better have some serious skills to back it up with, especially if you happen to be a male wearing that tiny little tennis skirt. Oh, and don’t wear jeans. Absolute no-no for any sporting endeavor but especially tennis. Please, please, PLEASE at least act like you’re going to give it your best whirl!
4. Hit the court! If it’s been awhile since you’ve had a hitting spree (or if it is your first time), don’t get discouraged. I was rusty when I first got back onto the court after a year’s hiatus. And when I say rusty, I may or may not mean that I lost 6-0, 6-0 in my first attempt at a little friendly competition. See how I did that there? I just publicly embarrassed myself to prove that it’s not just you. The more you play, the better you get and the sooner you can start turning those defeats around on the people who inflicted them on you.
Pretty simple 4-step process, isn’t it? Keep the faith. Keep losing until you start winning (it’ll happen…for most of you, it will probably happen much sooner that it has for me!). And remember what your friendly neighborhood tennis geek always adheres to: keep your balls in, kick your serves out and all is fair in love, war and tennis.
Tags: Equipment, fashion, summer, tennis, tipsRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Miscellaneous, Tennis Tips
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