Why I’m Thankful For Tennis

Today is a Holiday here in the United States called “Thanksgiving”. It’s a time to slow down and reflect upon everything that we have to be thankful of which, if we’re honest, is a great deal no matter what circumstances happen to surround us. Below I’d like to briefly write about the different aspects of tennis that I’m truly thankful for, parts of the sport that have made me a better person and improved my life. Hopefully you share my appreciation for these benefits. Feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of the page with your own list of things to be thankful for as it pertains to the sport of tennis!

1. Physical Fitness and Conditioning

I’ve always been blessed to be a very active person through out my life and tennis has been a huge part of that. Training yourself to become a good tennis player includes by default physical conditioning and training, trying to wring as much out of your body as possible so that on the court you can perform to your best. Whether it was push ups after losing to my pro during private lessons, “one ball pick ups” in high school practices, or sprint after sprint in the middle of college practices I’ve always pushed my body as hard as possible, practice after practice and match after match. The benefits of this hard work extend beyond the tennis court. I’m lucky enough to be in very good condition and plan on continuing that for the rest of my life thanks to my enjoyment of tennis. Tennis truly is the “sport of a lifetime”, continue playing tennis and it will reward you physically for years to come.

2. Mental Toughness

It’s difficult to put a price on the overall mental toughness and competitive confidence that playing the sport of tennis for years can give you. Good tennis players are able to perform under pressure so well because they’re all alone out there on the court (unless you’re playing doubles of course). You don’t get teammates to pick you up physically or mentally, nor a coach to give you a kick in the butt when you need it or open your eyes to a strategy that you overlooked. Tennis players learn how to problem solve, trouble shoot, and never back down under the pressure of an attacking opponent. These mental skills are learned over time of course, so if the descriptions above don’t sound like you then don’t despair! Get out there and continue to compete as often as possible. Your learned competitive skills will transfer over to so many different parts of life, both in different sports and otherwise.

3. Strong Friendships

There’s something about the friendships formed around an athletic endeavor, among hard physical work and the thrill of competition in the air. Without a doubt most of my long term friendships over the years have been tennis teammates, guys who I’ve fought alongside with towards a common goal: win for the team. Such a strong bond is formed within these conditions, and I’ve been very fortunate over the years to know many people in this way. If you’re not currently playing on a club team, in a USTA league, or any other kind of team tennis competition I strongly encourage you to start ASAP, regardless of how long you’ve been playing or your ability level.

So how about you? What about tennis are you thankful for?

‘Andre– Oh Andre’, Letter from Home

Dear All,

Andre!  How much does it matter that he has disclosed probable abuse of substances by his father?  Abuses by his own choice of similar substances?  Clever manipulations to avoid being caught?   It would be so easy to judge him in whatever way anyone might choose, easy to find blame for his timing of disclosure.  BUT:  He has also decided not to agonize over the privacy of his truths.  They are on the table for all to see.  Does his disclosure influence or disrupt the wonderful energy he puts forth in his programs and community efforts?  I hope not.  Another celebrity with an abuse and drug history comes forward.  Is it amends?  Perhaps not.  BUT:  In the good work he does, moment by moment offering kids like he was hope for success, let’s continue to support him and his efforts.  Let’s accept that all of us, status not mattering, make ugly and stupid mistakes, and still have the capacity to live responsible and healthy adult lives.  YEAH to Andre for putting it out there for all of us to scrutinize and judge; BRAVO for all the good things he HAS done and continues to do.

I’ve always liked him; now I respect him.  KUDOS to Andre.

Ellie Fishman Sternquist
Ph.D. Psychologist