It hit me the other day. Not a tennis ball, but a realization.
Our tennis pros hung up their racquets and stayed home during the pandemic. These men and women made the same financial sacrifice as personal trainers, physical therapists, restaurant and café owners, bookstore owners, and other small businesses. They forego their income for the safety of their friends, clients, and family.
In the last week or so, tennis pros knocked the dust and cobwebs off their strings to hold private lessons and perhaps a small drills class, as the numbers of virus infections began to decline.
It is time to thank them. Book a private lesson. Or, pay for a lesson for a deserving youth or a youth beginning class.
We must throw away all our excuses about why we do not take tennis lessons and jump in.
Or at least, do a split-step.
You are rested. Your knees, wrist, and tennis elbow are in great shape (or so I hope). Maybe you haven’t had a lesson in 20 years. Maybe it’s been three months. It doesn’t matter, book a lesson.
Over the years, players have created dazzling excuses on why we avoid tennis lessons. “I’ve played tennis like this for years.” “I couldn’t learn anything new at my age.” “It’s expensive.” “I’m out of shape.” “This works for me.”
Our pros hung up their racquets for our safety. We have returned to restaurants, bakeries, and barbers to support our local economy. Our tennis pros deserve us, also.
If you are concerned that your stroke is not up to speed, use my excuse: “I’m a little rusty. There’s been a pandemic.” It is the only excuse left. A splash of hand sanitizer and I am back smashing deep volleys.
These associations provide a find-a-pro search: United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) and Professional Tennis Registry (PTR).
Thank you to those on the front line: truckers, farmers and food production workers, delivery personnel, grocery and pharmacy staff, police and fire and emergency personnel, medical workers, our military, transportation drivers, and more. You continue to work tirelessly. You are awesome.
