Us tennis players can experience the best things in the world, like hitting a winner, to the worst, like losing in a tiebreaker after three hours of play. We have a stereotype of being a “country club” sport, but we really are a great group of people. These are some things us tennis players can all relate to.
1. A fresh can of tennis balls smells amazing.
Also, the sound of cracking open a new can is just simply amazing.
2. You dread hearing, “Get on a line,” because that means conditioning.
There is a whole team moan and sigh after we hear this because that's when we realize it's going to be a long practice full of running.
3. A new grip is the best thing.
You think you're playing bad because of the grip, so putting on a new one will redefine your game. In a match on a backhand, your racket went flying (embarrassing) and it makes you look like you don't know what you're doing.
4. Tennis balls are everywhere. In your room, car, bed and backpack.
When most people clean their rooms, they have a ton of water bottles to pick up. We have tennis balls instead. Also, when you slam on the breaks in your car, all 20-plus tennis balls roll to the front of the car.
5. You have one brand of rackets that you play with and it doesn’t feel right playing with anything else.
We may venture outside the comfort zone of our racket brand for one point and then we need our racket back right away.
6. You know the fear and struggle of a tiebreaker or a third set.
We have come so far, and to lose in this way is so heartbreaking.
7. Double faulting is the worst thing.
All you had to do was to get the fuzzy yellow ball into the opposite box and stay behind the line. Why is it so hard?
8. You know that bread sticks and bagels don’t just refer to food, but they are just as exciting.
We live for the bagels and bread sticks, both food and tennis related.
9. Love means nothing on the court.
In other words, if you don't have love on the court, you're doing it right.
10. You get excited when you break a string.
None of your non-tennis friends understand this because they think you need a whole new racket. In reality, we feel strong that we have enough strength to do that. And we are very proud of it!
11. The frustration of losing to someone you shouldn’t be.
We then contemplate life by asking ourselves, "What are you even doing?" and "Think about all the money your parents have spent on lessons for you to lose to this person." Or even, "I'm done with tennis, I suck anyway." But of course, you don't quit.
12. You love the game of tennis and everyone knows it.
If someone doesn’t know you play tennis, they must not know you at all. Tennis runs in your blood and you could never give it up.