WHY WE LOVE TENNIS
There are as many reasons to love the sport of tennis as there are players on the courts. And that’s quite a few! So, this Valentine’s Day it seems fitting to delve a bit deeper into what motivates the multitudes to flock to the courts. Whether it’s playing in the sweltering heat and humidity of SC summers or, more recently, having to bundle up in winter jackets, scarves and hats, the weather seems not to matter once the magic of tennis has captured you! Just why is this, you wonder? Well, to find out, we decided to chat with a few players at the recent USTA Captains Appreciation Event to determine why they love taking to the courts and firing away at that elusive yellow ball!
CAROLINE WILLIAMSON, Kingston Plantation
Caroline has served as Captain of the 55+ 4.0 Women’s Team at Kingston Plantation for the past several years, leading her players to the State Championships every year. She grins broadly when asked how much she loves the sport she’s been playing since the ripe old age of 6. It was actually her local preacher who started her playing tennis as a child, she recalls. “He built an asphalt court behind the church and taught tennis lessons to all the children. I just loved it and continued to play all through high school.”
Caroline’s prowess on the court even earned her a tennis scholarship to college.
However, romance intervened to alter her course. “I decided to get married to my husband Elliott instead,” she smiles. “I turned down the tennis scholarship but never stopped playing tennis!” So, what does she love most about the game? The social connections and relationships she has built with team members both on and off the court. “I have met so many wonderful people and made such good friends through tennis. They have given me all the motivation, support and love I could ever need.” Her husband Elliott jokingly offers a different reason: “She just likes beating people.”
LYNN REPASKY, Rivers Lynch Tennis Center
Lynn is the Captain of the 40+ 3.0 Women’s Team at RLTC who recently moved
to the Grand Strand area to serve as the Myrtle Beach Vet Center Director. One of the first things she did upon arriving was to scope out the local tennis center and quickly sign up. “I’ve moved around quite a bit for my career as a social worker and tennis has helped me to meet new people and become a part of the community,” she explains.
Lynn finds that playing tennis in the evenings after her work counseling veterans also serves as a great form of stress relief. “No matter what kind of day you’ve had, you can put it behind you and focus totally on your game.” And, like so many other players, she loves that tennis can be enjoyed for a lifetime. “You can play until any age,” she says with a smile.
JANE PRICHARD, GRAND DUNES
Jane has been playing tennis at Grand Dunes for the past six years, primarily on the 4.0 Mixed Doubles team. She cites “networking” as a big reason she loves tennis, noting that she met her husband early on while playing in mixed leagues. Another tennis lover who caught the “bug” early, Jane began playing in high school and has continued into retirement. She also likes that tennis is “truly a family sport. Our kids played with us while growing up and it was something we could enjoy together. Great fun and great memories!”
So there you have it: meeting new people, fostering friendships, strengthening family bonds and busting stress are some of the reasons folks love to play tennis. And that’s not even including the broad physical and mental health benefits and added years that tennis can bring to your life. So what are you waiting for? Now’s the time to serve it up!
Feature story written by Karen Smedley for the Grand Stand Tennis Foundation.