I don’t know about you, but being stuck in quarantine has helped put some things into stark perspective: The internet is a remarkable tool that isn’t without its shortcomings; having a stockpile of unread books can actually come in handy; cooking is more of an exercise in creative liberty than most people think, and tennis is actually a great way to have fun with friends even in the midst of a global pandemic.
With a bit of reflection, it actually makes a lot of sense. Apart from the introductory handshake (which is a nicety that you don’t strictly have to observe these days) the only real point of contact between you and the people you play with is a fuzzy neon green ball that’s blistering past at averages of 130 to 200km/h.
…That’s mildly scary but let’s pretend we’re cool with it, yeah?
To the surprise of many, 2020 turned out to be a great year for tennis all things considered. It must have caught on that physical distancing was an integral part of the game and that unlike many other competitive or solo sports, the implementation of sanitary protocols and social distancing is that much easier here.
While it honestly can be a bit hard on your joints, the high intensity of the workout you get is absolutely great for strengthening your core and improving both reflex speed and hand-eye coordination—muscle memory counts for a lot when trying to track a small ball moving so quickly, and you need to take every advantage when it comes to maintaining a clear view.
Another reason why tennis is catching on could very well be aesthetics. Compared to a lot of other “proper” sportswear, it’s just much easier to look absolutely classy in tennis gear than, say, a football jersey. It has its own charm of course, but come on, you have to applaud the optics here:
In all, the initial investment can be a bit daunting but there are scores of affordable gear to get you started, and rentals are always an option if you’re still testing the waters. It’s a great way to burst right past the doldrums with a boost of endorphins and make up for lost time with friends and family, plus it’s not the worst date idea if you’re looking to get back out there.
So what are you waiting for?
