As a former tennis player, I know the love of the game and the quirks that come with it all too well. Hardly anyone else understands the half of it when it comes to this sport, so we are a rare breed. Here are 20 signs that you know to be true if you have played or still play tennis.
1. Weird tan lines
Trust me, I know. I went to homecoming and prom with a strapless dress, but it looked like I had on a white sports bra because of my awkward and aggressive tennis tan lines. The amount of times that people commented on how white my feet were was also ridiculous (perpetual white socks!). You know this struggle.
2. Getting pegged is no biggie
Being hit with a ball (on purpose or not) is not taken to much offense. It is part of the game; plus, you get to show off your perfect tennis ball-sized bruise later on. Warning: only tennis teammates will appreciate those.
3. "Are you sure?" This. Means. War.
Calling a ball out that was barely outside of the line is always a risky move. From over the net and across the court, your opponent will always question your line judging abilities. The dreaded "are you sure?" that is said when they are questioning you is always a feat, because you know they are being subtly sassy and that means war for the rest of the match.
4. Skorts are in
I don't care what anyone says, tennis clothes are cute. I loved getting to pick out new tennis skirts and tank tops to match, and sometimes I even matched with my racquet and shoes (you know you do it, too). Tennis fashion is a major key to success.
5. Slamming your racquet feels so right, yet so wrong
Tennis can be an extremely frustrating sport. Blaming yourself for many point losses in a row can get out of hand, and in the moment, you need to take out your anger on your racquet before you do something worse. Slamming it into the ground feels so right, yet as soon as you do it you know it was so wrong. Glancing over at your coach who is now giving you the death stare for your poor court etiquette can haunt you.
6. "Up or down?" "M or W?"
If you play tennis, you know what this means. No one else in the world probably understands, but we do. Let's keep this one a tennis secret, shall we? Starting matches the fair way means always coming down to this.
7. You find tennis on TV to be exciting
While scrolling through channels, finding a tennis tournament on TV is all too exciting for you. You love watching close matches and love watching the pros do what you wish you could. Be aware though, if you are with friends who don't play tennis, they will moan and groan if you turn on the tennis channel. They just don't understand.
8. Tennis balls. Everywhere.
Finding a tennis ball in your backpack at school when you were trying to find a notebook is a norm and does not phase you. They are everywhere! They make guest appearances in your room, your bags, your closet, your car, and your shoes. People may question our sanity, but trust me, this is normal.
9. Popping a string is actually sort of satisfying
Hitting a great serve return and hearing the pop of a string is a weirdly nice feeling. Sure, it's no fun that you have to get your racquet restrung, but knowing that you hit the ball hard enough to pop a string makes you feel powerful. (Bring out your inner Williams twin!)
10. There is nothing more heavenly than the new tennis ball can smell
Popping open a new can of tennis balls is the greatest smell. Non-tennis players do not understand and may even claim that it smells "gross," but you and I both know that there is no greater scent. Something about the pop it makes when they are brand new is also satisfying.
11. Racquet callouses are normal and expected
Having four to five callouses on your dominant hand where you grip your racquet is expected. Comparing and showing them off to other teammates is also normal, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Be proud; they are like battle scars.
12. Pushers = Spawn of Satan
Playing against a pusher is probably the worst thing imaginable for a tennis player. You know that you out-skill them in basically every category there is in the sport, but because of their consistency of just pushing the ball back no matter what, they outplay you somehow. It is the most frustrating thing in the world and will make you hate yourself and them for the rest of your day (or life). As my best friend (who also plays tennis) says, "Nothing makes me wanna square up and fight more than a pusher."
13. You are a loyalist when it comes to your racquet brand
Wilson, Head, Prince, Babolat. If you play tennis, you know what these brands mean and the stereotypes that come with each. There is an unspoken competition in the tennis world that goes on about which racquet brand is best. Being loyal to your brand is essential, and to switch over to a different one would basically be betrayal. (P.S., Babolat is the best.)
14. Superstitions about how many bounces before a serve
If you have a certain number of bounces that you have to bounce the tennis ball before you serve, don't be wary, you are one of us. My lucky number was four, so every single time I went to serve I had to bounce the ball four times beforehand. This may seem tedious to some, but to us, it is like religion. Superstitions are all too real, and breaking them will make you lose. I don't care what anyone else tells you.
15. Love means nothing
Literally, love means nothing. Tennis players know that having a score of Love may sound all cute and nice, but it means that you have zero points. Whoever invented the tennis scoring system must have thought this was some sick, funny joke. Zero points is not fun, and there is definitely nothing to "love" about it.
16. You are a little bit too obsessed with over grip
Having an over grip that matches your shoes or stabilizer or racquet or strings is definitely necessary. Getting to change the color of tape that you hold your racquet with is like Christmas every single time. One of my favorite memories of tennis is the excitement of getting to pick a new color grip from the bucket. That might sound lame to non-tennis players, but you understand if you play(ed).
17. The bond with your doubles partner is amazing
I played mixed doubles in high school. My partner and I first bonded through him telling me that both my pants and my laugh were both really ugly, and we were basically attached at the hip from then on. The bond we had on and off the court was great, and I wouldn't have traded it for the world! The little things that you and your partner do on the court to keep each other sane are essential. Shout-out to my partner for always laughing at me, letting me dance on the court for his entertainment, and playing tennis with T-Rex arms with me. No one knows you like your partner does.
18. The ball hitting the net and falling over... Awkward
One of the most bizarre things that happens while playing tennis is when the ball hits the top of the net and falls over to the other side. For the person that got the point for that, it is nice, but still awkward because you know you didn't "deserve" that point. For the person that the point is against, it can be really frustrating but you also understand that they didn't do it on purpose. All in all, it is just a really awkward point.
19. Your coach can be your best friend and biggest frustration
My high school coach was easily one of my favorite people on Earth. He constantly called me and all of my teammates "dirt bags," but we know that it was all out of love. I really appreciated all he did for our team, because Lord knows it isn't easy to deal with 30-40 high school kids every day. Your coach will be there through everything, so of course they are going to frustrate you at times, too. Just remember to appreciate them!
20. There is nothing like the bond of a Tennis Team
I met some of my best friends playing tennis. My best friend and I met in middle school through tennis, and I am so glad that this sport that we both love brought us to love each other. The bond of a tennis team is eternal, and I am so thankful for the people that this sport brought into my life forever.
