So, I’ve been meaning to get back into tennis lately. I used to play a bit in college, but, you know, life happens. Anyway, I was thinking about JC Roddick, the tennis pro, and it inspired me to finally get off my butt and actually do it.
First things first, I had to find my old racket. Dug around the attic for a good hour, and let me tell you, it was like a trip down memory lane. Found my old college jersey, some questionable fashion choices from the early 2000s, and finally, under a pile of dusty boxes, my trusty racket. It was a bit worse for wear, but nothing a new grip and some strings couldn’t fix.
Next up, I needed to find a court. Now, I live in a pretty small town, so options are limited. There’s the public park, but those courts are always packed, especially on weekends. Then there’s the local country club, but let’s just say my budget doesn’t quite stretch to a membership there.
- Checked out the public park courts.
- Considered the country club (briefly).
- Remembered the old high school courts.
After a bit of thinking, I remembered the old courts at my high school. They’re probably not in the best shape, but hey, they’re free and usually empty. So, I grabbed my racket and a can of balls and headed over there.
The courts were definitely showing their age. Cracks in the surface, nets a bit saggy, but honestly, it kind of added to the charm. It felt like stepping back in time, in a good way. I spent a couple of hours just hitting balls against the wall, trying to get my groove back. It was rough at first. My serves were all over the place, my backhand was non-existent, and my forehand was, well, let’s just say it needed work.
Getting Back Into the Swing
But you know what? It felt amazing. The sound of the ball hitting the racket, the feeling of moving around the court, even the frustration of missing a shot. It all reminded me of why I loved this game in the first place. It’s not about being the best, it’s about enjoying the process, pushing yourself, and having fun.
I’ve been going back to those old courts a few times a week now. I’m still rusty as heck, but I’m slowly improving. I even managed to rope a buddy of mine into playing a few sets. He’s way better than me, but it’s still a blast. We laugh, we sweat, we occasionally hit a decent shot, and we always have a good time.
So, thanks, JC Roddick, for the inspiration. You reminded me that it’s never too late to pick up an old hobby, even if you’re not as young or as good as you used to be. It’s all about getting out there and giving it your best shot, literally.
I might not be winning any Grand Slam titles anytime soon, but I’m having a great time playing tennis again. And that’s all that really matters, right?
