We all know the awkward feeling of being at a sports event where we have absolutely no idea what’s going on. For instance, have you ever heard, "Whoa! Did you just see that backhand smash to the baseline? Sure seems like the deuce streak won’t be over anytime soon!"?
Unless you are familiar with the sport of tennis, you will not have understood some of the sport jargon like backhand, baseline, or deuce. Some of you may have never attempted the sport, but I can guarantee that you will cross paths with it someday. Tennis is one of the most versatile sports one can ever play and it is open to almost all ages and abilities. Insanely, the game of tennis has been around since the 5th century and is likely to remain an activity of amusement till the end of time.
I have been playing tennis since my freshmen year of high school and I even coached tennis for awhile. I'm no tennis expert but I do know a thing or two about the sport. One of those things is how easy it is to lose yourself in the game of tennis.
Frequently described as a mental sport, tennis encompasses what it means to be "alone in your head." This can be a blessing and a curse. The concentration on you and your actions only prevents you from being distracted, but at the same time frustration can pursue when mistakes are made. Ask any tennis professional and they will tell you the game of tennis is 90% mental and 10% physical.
Nevertheless, once you find a rhythm while playing, tennis can make you forget everything. Every problem or worry you had that day can be gone in an instant when you pick up that racket. As the physical motions come naturally, the thoughts melt away along with the time.
Though you are usually playing against an opponent, tennis is a solo mental sport making for the perfect excuse to find complete and utter solitude. The excuse not to seek solitude is one that typically revolves around the lack of time or energy. However, the time we make for ourselves has multiple benefits.
Solitude gives us time to think, reflect, and recharge from our busy lives. Spending time by ourselves gives us a chance to find the peace and relaxation we so well deserve. Not to mention, taking daily breaks helps us improve our overall performance in emotionally draining situations like work or school.
So if you are interested in playing tennis for the opportunity of solitude or are just up for the challenge, pick up a racket and hit the court! You never know what you might get out of it!
