Alright, let’s talk about my little adventure with the tennis team at Sacred Heart University. It wasn’t exactly Wimbledon, but hey, it was my own little tennis saga.
So, picture this: I decided it was time to get off my butt and do something active. I’d been watching the US Open and thought, “Why not give tennis a shot?” I’d played a bit in high school, nothing fancy, just enough to know which end of the racket to hold.
Getting Started
First thing I did was dig out my old racket from the attic. It was dusty and the grip was all worn out, but it would have to do. Then, I checked out the Sacred Heart University tennis team’s website. They had open tryouts, and I thought, “What the heck, let’s see if I can still hit the ball.”
- Showed up at the courts on tryout day.
- Felt like a fish out of water. Everyone else looked like they knew what they were doing.
- Did some warm-up stretches, trying to look like I belonged.
The Tryouts
The tryouts were, well, intense. There were a bunch of drills to test our forehands, backhands, serves, and volleys. I was huffing and puffing, trying to keep up with the younger players. I definitely felt my age. There was this one drill where we had to run from one end of the court to the other, hitting balls as we went. I nearly tripped over my own feet a couple of times. It is really funny.
- Hit some decent shots, but also missed a lot.
- Tried to stay positive and not get discouraged.
- Realized I was way more out of shape than I thought.
Making the Team (or Not)
After the tryouts, there was a waiting period. I kept checking my email, hoping for some good news. Finally, the email arrived. I opened it with bated breath. Unfortunately, I didn’t make the cut. They said they appreciated my effort but were going with more experienced players. Then I understood, I was too old for this.
The Aftermath
I won’t lie, I was a bit bummed. But you know what? I still had fun. I dusted off my old racket, got some exercise, and even made a few friends. I may not be playing for Sacred Heart University, but I started playing tennis again on the weekends with some buddies. It’s more relaxed, and we laugh a lot more. I started to love tennis.
So, that’s my story. It’s not about winning or losing, but about getting out there and trying something new. And who knows, maybe next year I’ll try out again. Or maybe I’ll just stick to playing with my friends. Either way, I’m glad I gave it a shot. After all, what is the meaning of life? Just do it!
