Holding Court
My favorite place to walk the dogs is Rivermont Park. Tennis courts line the path from the parking lot, and I always watch with a mixture of envy and awe as grace, speed, strength and agility combine into the “thwack” that sends the ball soaring back and forth across the net.
I don’t seem to possess any of those traits, not on a tennis court, at least.
Once, in middle school, a friend tried to teach me to play. I tried to scramble to the spot where the ball landed, but I missed every shot.
“Just stand there and throw the ball back,” she said as we both became increasingly exasperated.
The next “thwack!” was the sound of the ball hitting me square in the chest. I’d taken her instructions somewhat literally.
Perhaps pickleball would be more my speed. Sometimes described as a “light” version of tennis, its primary demographic was senior citizens until the pandemic drew people of all ages to local courts. Our first story below offers a good primer.
– Jennifer Bardoner, editor
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