Tennis Anyone?
It had been forty years since I had played tennis on a regular basis but last year an ad brought back memories of how much fun I had playing back then. The notice directed anyone 55+ interested in playing tennis to contact the parks department about playing men’s doubles. Doubts of whether I could remember my game or if my body would be up to the running, twisting and turning ran through my mind along side fond recollections. Those fond memories eased me closer to the telephone and I finally worked up my courage and made that difficult call.
I was told the men’s tennis group cost only $2.00 to join plus $2.00 for each session played on outdoor courts or $7.00 if the session were played inside. This cost included tennis balls being provided. Winters were normally played indoors while outdoor courts were reserved during the summer unless it rained. I was given the option to sign up as a substitute and play only when needed, or to become a regular playing one, two, or three days a week. Regulars were required to find a replacement for themselves if vacations or illness prevented them from maintaining their commitment. Players took turns being the coordinator, whose duty was to schedule the players for the following week. E-mail announcements were delivered, alerting everyone to the schedule, along with necessary contact information to reach those that volunteered as substitutes. Normally 3 to 4 courts were reserved, allowing 12 to 16 men to play doubles. Court times generally started either at 6:30AM or 7 AM and finished between 8 and 8:30 AM. Many of the players got together for coffee after the game, either to talk tennis or current events. Each outing quickly became a social event, regardless of how well you played, although some kidding would usually get thrown in just to remind you that you had been off your game that day.
Since the schedule and costs were agreeable, it was time to find out if I could still play.
Surprisingly much of my old game came back quickly and easily. Years of playing pick up games at Greenlake’s Lower Woodland using their lighted courts after work seemed to have somehow programmed my feet and shoulders. My steps were not as quick, and there were obligatory aches and pains, especially during the early weeks, as my muscles and joints got used to the workout, but overall I did well. Coffee conversations became interesting as I began to know the players. I found that many of those that were now playing had also decided to take up the game after many years of dormancy. Several were now retired but a few of us still clung to regular work schedules and frequently cut our coffee sessions short. If the conversation was especially good however, we called understanding clients to reschedule appointments due to our “emergency tennis game.”
Organized tennis games exist through out the City and can frequently be accessed by contacting the Parks and Recreation center in your area. I personally became involved with a Mercer Island group by contacting their parks department at 206-275-7863. Don’t hesitate to simply carry a racket and balls with you and hang out around a local court. Frequently other singles show up and would love to be asked to hit a few balls with you. I spent many years as a single at Greenlake and the pick up game system that I used back then still works well today.
