learn to play tennis

My Monday evening lesson was fairly good. We worked on our volley shots, and on serving some more. I totally suck at serving, but my volley is really strong.

The Wednesday evening lesson was really strong. I felt on the ball (pun intended) for all but the last ten minutes or so, when the 95+ temps finally wore me out. We did some more volleying and rallied quite a bit. We’re also learning the basics of how to play doubles (with one player up at the net and the other behind). Most of it is pretty intuitive to me, but it’s hard when your partner isn’t quite sure where they need to be.

I also talked to some of the girls in the class who said they want to take the next class up. We have to get the instructor’s permission to advance, though, so we’ll see how that goes!

Serving! I’m glad we finally got to serving, mostly because I felt like I was missing out on an important part of the game. My serve is pretty good so far, although I can’t toss the ball correctly to save my soul. After six or seven tosses I actually get one that is hittable, and I’m able to do pretty well. This lesson was the first to make me sore!

Okay, first an incredibly embarrassing story that I must share. I was walking while texting (never a good combination) on my way to my lesson when WHAM. I walked smack into the sides of the bleachers that face the courts. Want to talk embarrassing! People saw and laughed and I am covered in bruises today. Sigh…

Okay, onto the lesson. I was a little out of sorts from the bleacher crashing, but the lesson went well. It was extremely hot (95+) but I think I’m getting better. I’m more confident with my backhand and I’m keeping the ball on the court more often than not when I return it.

Next week we tackle serving, and I hope I won’t be tackling any bleachers.

Lesson #2 was a success. I am glad that I’m not completely inept at this game! I think I’m somewhere in the top of the class, although I really need to work on my control. If the game was called “Accidentally Hit The Ball Really Far” I would be amazing. But most of the time I hit it and it goes somewhere on the other side of the court, which seems like a good start.

We’ve worked on our forehands and backhands mostly. My forehand is pretty strong, and every once in a while my backhand feels like I think it should.

On Saturday, my friend Carolyn (who is taking the class with me) and I are going to the park for some outside-of-class practice. I’m really looking forward to it!

I started beginner tennis lessons yesterday. Seems great so far! I think I’m really going to like the game.

We started out by learning how to hold the racket, and the basics of hitting a forehand and a backhand.

Most of the people in the class seem like me—single women in their 20s who are looking for a reason to get out of the house. Everyone seems very nice so far! And the teacher is very funny. I think I’m going to enjoy both the classes and playing for fun once the class is over.