TENNIS AND ME
How Tennis Shapes My Life Off Court
A few principles anchor me and provide a healthier outlook
Just to be clear, tennis is not my only source of wisdom when life gets tough.
There’s my family. I was blessed with two devoted parents of sound minds and a bunch of loyal siblings. When I got older, I realized, as Mark Twain said upon turning 21, that it was astonishing how much his dad had learned. For me, I’d substitute “parents.”
Their truths are now surrounded by a halo that I imagine.
There is also my faith, which brings me community, spirituality, and hope.
And then, there is tennis.
Yes, tennis.
For many, tennis is a game with a yellow ball, some racquets, and a net.
It is all of that, but for me, it’s much, much more.
Let’s start with the fact that I picked up a racket at the ripe age of 36.
I didn’t look like I belonged in court.
Because I didn’t.
I wore huge, baggy fuchsia shorts — I hadn’t lost all my pregnancy weight yet — with gargantuan pockets that could store many, many balls that I’d end up chasing all over the court.
