Today, I’m diving into something completely new for me – women’s tennis. I’ve always been more of a spectator when it comes to sports, but a recent conversation sparked my interest in actually playing tennis. I found out that NJIT (New Jersey Institute of Technology) has a women’s tennis team, and it got me thinking, “Why not give it a shot?” They’re in NCAA Division I, which is like the big leagues for college sports. So, I decided to document my journey from zero to maybe, just maybe, a decent tennis player.
Step one: Figure out what I need. From what I’ve gathered, a racquet and some tennis balls are the bare minimum. I mean, that makes sense, right? I spent a good few hours online, just browsing through different types of racquets and balls. It’s kinda overwhelming, to be honest. I ended up ordering a mid-range racquet and a can of balls. Nothing too fancy, just something to get started with.
Step two: Find a place to play. I remembered that my local park has tennis courts, so I drove by to check them out. They’re pretty decent and free to use, which is a huge plus. I tried hitting a few balls against a wall for practice. Let me tell you, it’s harder than it looks! My form was probably all over the place, but hey, I was having fun. I even found a website, it did provide some guides and resources. I found this super helpful for beginners like me.
- First Attempt:
- Went to the park, tried to serve. The ball went everywhere but the court.
- Spent an hour just trying to get the ball over the net consistently.
- Realized I need to work on my grip and stance.
Step three: Learn the basics. I found a bunch of videos online that explain the rules, scoring, and basic techniques. It’s a lot to take in. Forehand, backhand, volley, serve – it’s like learning a new language. I practiced some basic drills, like hitting the ball against a wall to improve my forehand and backhand. And I realized something, all the techniques are super hard, and I’m nowhere near being a tennis pro, but I’m having fun!
- Learning Curve:
- Watched a ton of videos, tried to mimic the pros.
- Practiced my serve, still struggling with consistency.
- Discovered that tennis is a full-body workout. I was sore after the first few sessions!
Step four: Keep practicing. I’ve been going to the park a few times a week, just hitting balls and trying to improve. I’m slowly getting better, but it’s a long process. I’ve even managed to rally a few times with a friend who knows how to play. Those moments make all the frustration worth it.
- Progress Check:
- My serves are getting better, still not perfect.
- Starting to get the hang of forehands and backhands.
- Still working on my footwork and positioning.
Wrapping Up
So, that’s where I’m at with my tennis journey. It’s been challenging, but also really rewarding. I’m not aiming to join the NJIT women’s tennis team anytime soon, but who knows what the future holds? For now, I’m just enjoying the process of learning something new and getting some exercise. It’s a great way to clear my head and challenge myself. If you’ve been thinking about trying tennis, I say go for it! It’s tough, but it’s a lot of fun.
