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30 Things Only Tennis Players Understand

Love means nothing.

Sara Catherine Joseph

Aug 21, 2017

University of Mississippi

1192

30 Things Only Tennis Players Understand

Sara Catherine Joseph

There are somethings that are easy to understand about tennis, but there are some things that you can only understand if you love tennis. Whether you're still playing the game or you've put away your racquet, I'm sure you can relate.

1. Love means nothing.

2. You have the worst sock tan lines that are ridiculously difficult to get rid of.

3. You love the sound and smell of opening a new can of balls.

4. The satisfaction of hitting an overhead in the center of the racquet.

5. Knowing that having to go to Deuce is literally endless.

6. When you and your doubles partner just watch a ball go between you both.

7. Knowing that rain meant bringing the squeegee out and squeegeeing is the WOAT of all WOATS.

8. The opponent asking, "Are you sure it was out?" still gives you nightmares.

9. Playing in the wind is either your best friend or your enemy.

10. Serving an ace in a match was totally worth all those drills your coach made you do.

11. Playing with newly tightened strings is pure joy.

12. Losing in a tie-breaker makes you seriously angry.

13. Talking to yourself is totally normal.

14. You love finding the weaker doubles partner and continuously hitting to them.

15. Serving into the sun. Ugh.

16. "M or W?" "P or D?"

17. The pain of losing to the same opponent two years in a row.

18. Defeating an opponent you lost to the previous year.

19. Slamming a volley and almost hitting your opponent. Sorry?

20. When your ball hits the net but gracefully falls over.

21. When people say tennis is easy and you smile because you know the truth.

22. The bottom of your shoes turning the same color as the court.

23. Really wanting to break your racquet when you double fault.

24. Being afraid to change hair ties because you've been winning with the one you're wearing. Not that you're superstitious.

25. When you put that perfect backspin on the ball and you feel like Serena for a moment.

26. One of your arms is bigger than the other.

27. The sweet satisfaction of hitting a winner down the line.

28. Night tennis is one of your favorite times to play.

29. Bonding with your teammates over long bus rides.

30. Your doubles partner knows you better than anyone.

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30 Things Only Tennis Players Understand

Love means nothing.

1. Love means nothing.

2. You have the worst sock tan lines that are ridiculously difficult to get rid of.

3. You love the sound and smell of opening a new can of balls.

4. The satisfaction of hitting an overhead in the center of the racquet.

5. Knowing that having to go to Deuce is literally endless.

6. When you and your doubles partner just watch a ball go between you both.

7. Knowing that rain meant bringing the squeegee out and squeegeeing is the WOAT of all WOATS.

8. The opponent asking, "Are you sure it was out?" still gives you nightmares.

9. Playing in the wind is either your best friend or your enemy.

10. Serving an ace in a match was totally worth all those drills your coach made you do.

11. Playing with newly tightened strings is pure joy.

12. Losing in a tie-breaker makes you seriously angry.

13. Talking to yourself is totally normal.

14. You love finding the weaker doubles partner and continuously hitting to them.

15. Serving into the sun. Ugh.

16. "M or W?" "P or D?"

17. The pain of losing to the same opponent two years in a row.

18. Defeating an opponent you lost to the previous year.

19. Slamming a volley and almost hitting your opponent. Sorry?

20. When your ball hits the net but gracefully falls over.

21. When people say tennis is easy and you smile because you know the truth.

22. The bottom of your shoes turning the same color as the court.

23. Really wanting to break your racquet when you double fault.

24. Being afraid to change hair ties because you've been winning with the one you're wearing. Not that you're superstitious.

25. When you put that perfect backspin on the ball and you feel like Serena for a moment.

26. One of your arms is bigger than the other.

27. The sweet satisfaction of hitting a winner down the line.

28. Night tennis is one of your favorite times to play.

29. Bonding with your teammates over long bus rides.

30. Your doubles partner knows you better than anyone.

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There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

13. What is your ideal date night?

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

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