In August there will be another fantastic opportunity to get involved in the wonderful sport of tennis. As part of the LTA’s Great British Tennis Weekend there’ll be free sessions available for all, at participating local clubs, gyms and sports centres, to be reacquainted with or get a first taste of the sport that ignites every British summer.
Tennis has always been a favourite sport in our household and is now enjoyed by us all including POD our 4½ year old. Before she arrived and we relocated to Guildford we played regularly at Dulwich College Sports Club, close to our previous home in London.
This was a great opportunity to enjoy a sport we could both compete in. I wasn’t about to don a gum shield and join my husband on the rugby field, much as I love the game! With indoor and outdoor facilities we were able to play all year round under the supervision of the resident coach. In the evenings during the winter months we used coaching balls indoors which allowed for a more complete game with the ball bouncing lower and able to be hit with conviction without flying out of court.
There’s no substitute to playing outside though and at weekends we were known to play on the hard courts regardless of the conditions. We did draw the line on one occasion when black ice stopped play!
We’ve also been lucky enough to play tennis on holiday in some beautiful settings including Hawksbill Beach Resort in Antigua, Club La Santa in Lanzarote and with Mark Warner Holidays at San Agostino, Lakitira Beach Resort and Levante Beach Resort in Greece as well as the San Lucianu Beach Resort in Corsica.
We find tennis a great way of meeting fellow holidaymakers as well as working off the mountains of the food we invariably consume. Mark Warner offers tennis courses for all levels where you can hone your skills with a coach and team up with your classmates for social tennis games.
We introduced POD to tennis on a holiday in May. She took to it immediately bellowing ‘volley!!’ as instructed as she pounded balls across the net. She’s left handed which may give her an edge if she evolves into the tennis star we’re hoping for!
In addition to participating, we also love watching tennis albeit from the sofa these days. We have fond memories of being at that epic Murray Gasquet match though – Murray won after being two sets down.
The next Great British Tennis Weekend is on the 1st and 2nd August. There are thousands of free sessions taking place all over the country from mini tennis and adult coaching to free play and family fun. All abilities are welcome so if you’re new to tennis, a bit rusty or a regular, there’s something for everyone.
Ooh – keep nurturing those tennis skills in POD – maybe one day I’ll see her playing at Wimbledon! xx
I am so hopeless at sports like this, good at cricket but tennis, badminton, ping pong all rubbish x
The boys love all sports and both enjoy playing backyard tennis! We don’t have club or anything close to us, so backyard tennis it will have to be. Mini did represent his school in a tournament this year and loved it
I’m rubbish at tennis – I only learned at school and I don’t remember much!
I was always so rubbish, but looking back I loved it at school!
I haven’t played tennis for years and I’ve always been more of a badminton person myself. The kids have enjoyed watching Wimbledon though so it may be an opportunity to see if they would like to play.
I am awful at tennis but I think my son might like it? your photos make it sound like a lovely idea!
I’ve not played tennis in years and probably wouldn’t be able to now, but I am glad POD is enjoying it and looks like she is having fun!
I used to love tennis as a child, I used to take lessons and we would set up a net in the middle of the road, I was never that great though. x
I’m useless at most sports now but I used to love playing sports when I was younger, especially tennis. Looks like POD is having fun
I remember playing tennis with my dad as a child it was a lovely family activity. I’ve not played it in years though but I’d love to start again when Wilf’s a bit older 🙂 x
I remember going to play tennis with my Dad in the park as a young girl! Aww it’s nice you can all do this together as a family! And loving the scenic tennis courts in these photo’s x