A Perfect Match

When it comes to curious tennis scoring rules, it’s an odd fact that “love” equals zero. While so many funny analogies can be made from this (it’s also played on a court!), tennis is a sport that provides not only physical, but also mental and social benefits, that will likely precede, and surprisingly outlast, the many, or one true, loves of our lives. 

 

Physical Benefits

 

For youth sports, soccer arguably wins the popularity contest, followed closely by Little League and maybe even flag football. But here’s a public service announcement for parents of the New River Valley: Don’t dismiss tennis.

Exposure to tennis at an early age instills skills in little ones like coordination, agility and balance, all fantastic foundations on which to develop a successful run at any sport. Due to the quick stops, sprinting, twisting and turning that tennis requires, large muscle groups will activate and stay activated, and bone mass will strengthen, keeping latent osteoporosis at bay. Compare this to say, a child manning 3rd base in Little League. He is unlikely to see much action and just might become better versed at using his cleat to rearrange the dirt to reveal his initials instead; not a terrible thing (aspiring creative type?), but young kids usually need to move, move and then move some more.

Budding outfield artists aside, any sport – team or individual – stands to reap many physical and mental benefits in malleable young ones.

Chip Webb, assistant tennis coach at Virginia Tech says of sports during childhood: “It’s important for kids to have a sport that’s individual and one that’s a team. Because some are better in each environment.”

 

 

Webb found himself a tennis phenomenon at a young age, attending a tennis academy for his junior and senior years of high school and topping out at top 5 in the country. He has coached privately and now enjoys the rigor and excitement of coaching at a D1 collegiate level.

 

For adults and seniors, never fear, it’s not too late! It is a special treat that tennis is not dependent on being young, being strong, or even, being tall. It is a sport to pick up at any age, at any size, at any skill level. Added bonus: It is graciously no-impact, certainly a “pro” on the decision scale for those who may be on the denouement of physical prowess.

According to USTA.com (United States Tennis Association), playing tennis three hours a week reduces heart disease by 56%. The hand-eye coordination required to play keeps reaction times swift and agility keen. Tennis consummately promotes stronger bones, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and, like most exercise, reduces stress.

 

Mental Benefits  

 

Tennis requires quick thinking and quicker reactions; both requiring instantaneous problem-solving to keep executions sharp. And accurate.

Because it’s an individual effort, the cognitive side effects help develop those often pesky, but no less crucial, soft skills. Self-confidence, a sense of accomplishment, poise under pressure, gracious losing, humble winning all toughens the mental muscle. An early understanding of carrying something entirely on your shoulders is invaluable, after all that’s what life will hand you as a grown-up. 

In tennis, there isn’t an entire team to lean on and, likewise, there is no bench or subbing out. If things get challenging, the player must double down on determination and focus, while harnessing a confident independence to go forward. These are values that can, and should, be applied to all corners of life.

“Golf and tennis are the most mentally demanding sports from my point of view because you’re out there by yourself for up to 3 hours. There are so many different highs and lows, so being mentally solid is the most important thing,” Webb adds.

As we age, it’s that same mental agility that rules the roost. While we can’t protect everything from the theft of time, we can certainly strive to keep our thinker ticking as acutely as possible. And the best way to do that? Regularly introduce new challenges, for both the brain and the body.

 

Social Benefits

 

Lastly, the social perks of tennis probably seem a bit obvious. For the young, old and everyone in between, getting involved and staying involved in the community equates to sustainable health and happiness. Fostering friendships and camaraderie that playing a sport affords is a reason to play all by itself. And tennis, specifically, is an easy grasp. It doesn’t require the organization of a team and, again, is agnostic of age and ability. 

Certainly, when it comes to the social life of tennis buffs, it would be a gross oversight not to drop the term “pickleball” in here somewhere. Having begun in the mid-60s in Washington State, it has, without question, been enjoying an extreme popular resurgence of late. Evident by the bite-sized courts taking over real estate in towns across America, pickleball is on trend everywhere and stealing hearts with each serve.

So, you might as well try one — pickleball or tennis. It’s hard to argue the comprehensive benefits, the well-being of your body, mind and social life. Afterall, rackets swipe both left and right.

“If I had time right now, I would see how good I could get at pickleball,” Webb laughs, “but it’s a really stupid name.”

 

Text by Nancy S. Moseley
Photo by Dave Knachel

 

Nancy S. Moseley is freelance writer born and raised in Blacksburg. She really wants to find an adult pickleball league to join. Maybe even fall in love with; however, expectations remain reasonable.