Game, Set, Learn

Tennis seemed like the sport meant for me. The game spoke to me in a way that compelled me to pursue it. After COVID-19's gift of reflections and chasing reasonably priced lessons, juggling my diary- work & parental hustle, I managed to get myself on a beginner's course.

Getting a spot on the course itself felt like a massive accomplishment- it sold out quickly due to its popularity. And it was no surprise; the course is taught by exceptional coaches at incredibly affordable rates (thanks to the LTA).

So here I am a Tennis novice and the learnings on the court speak to me in everyday life and phrases used by my coach have now carved a spot in my mind.

The ball finishes where you finish i.e. your position/direction determines the destination of the ball. This principle also holds true in our daily lives: when we center our actions around intention, consistently making conscious choices and decisions, we gain a clear sense of purpose and direction. This, in turn, enables us to give priority to what genuinely matters, allowing us to focus our energy and resources on our chosen path. This stands in contrast to the outcomes when our actions lack intention

Don't rush to hit the ball. Before you hit your return, position yourself and then there is a decision moment continuously emphasized by my coach. You have all the time you need for this. Those critical seconds, when analyzed with a composed mind, reveal that there's an abundance of time.

Works the same in everyday life particularly when faced with the pressure of making immediate decisions. Whether it's a matter of minutes or hours, if our mind remains calm and focused, and we approach it with intention (knowing where we wish to aim our efforts or what we aim to achieve) while being adequately prepared, there's always ample time to thoughtfully work through your choices.

Pay attention to your swing. I couldn't get my forehand right and when the coach held my arm to demonstrate the proper swing finish, I felt my upper arm and shoulder creaking. I couldn't get my swing right because of my overall fitness levels..which led to exercises to increase shoulder mobility. Does this not resonate with everyday life? Overall fitness is the key! How can we achieve our goals when our fitness levels are low ( physical and mental)?

Open up your body. Allow your body to open up, maintaining a bit of distance from the ball when striking it. Being too close to the ball is an attempt at excessive control, which, in turn, hinders our ability to make contact with it. Isn't this similar to our daily life? The more receptive we are to fresh opportunities, novel experiences, and alternative approaches, the greater the chances of living a more enriching life. The less we try to control, the smoother everything tends to flow.

I also learned to not be afraid to pay with the big gals and guys.

As a beginner, we are playing with people of similar skill and experience levels. However, the opportunity to play with proficient players offers a tremendous learning experience, pushing one to stretch their limits. Whilst it might look daunting, you emerge from such interactions with learning something new. Similarly, when we work with people who are more skilled than us, when we interact and spend time with people who have spent a lot more time honing their talent, we not only learn something new but also find inspiration, motivating us to pursue more.

And that people are kind. Once they recognize you're a novice, they often extend a helping hand, offering guidance and turning the interaction into a valuable learning experience.

Finally, I was reminded of the power of community. By the time the program was mid-way, a community had emerged, with independent practice sessions running beyond the formal program, where group members were coaching each other. I have hopes that this community will continue beyond the program timeline and play a pivotal role in honing my skills. Moreover, new opportunities emerged, including access to other communities like Raquet Pal and membership to the Lawn Tennis Association.

Yesterday was my last class on the beginners’ program, and as I move on to the next level (called beginners plus) I am thrilled to have stuck on to the classes and made progress on my goal to pursue tennis. It is a bit of a journey and loads of practice before I can challenge you to a game, but I am getting there.