Reflection Paper On Tennis

One early morning around dawn during summer break I found myself on a tennis court. There I was, a quiet thirteen-year-old, with a bunch of young people I had never met before now regretting my decision and wishing I was still asleep. I had only said yes to this tennis program because it was free, my neighbor wanted me to take part, and I needed to get in shape for the fall sports season. If only I had known the extent of the impact this time would have on my life.

I always enjoyed sports and other activities, but I had never found something I was passionate about. From the time I started tennis, however, it became everything for me. I love that typically it is just you on the court against the opponent. There is no interference, pressure, or help from teammates, spectators, coaches, or anything else. It is a special sport where you are all alone, there is no clock, you must complete the match to finish, there is no support, and there are

I feel torn, as I assume many young people have, between what I love and am talented in and moving on in life. I wonder if tennis is something for the present or just a hobby and something that I enjoyed as a young person. I know that at some stage every athlete must put down the ball in the competitive sense. I ask myself, was I overconfident and overambitious or must I just be patient? With these questions I just shrug and say, “I don’t know but let’s give it a shot and if all else fails I have backups.” However, as soon as I step on a court all these questions, voices, and situations fade away and I’m thirteen again. On the court I am in control, I can play, enjoy, give everything I have, shake the other guys hand, and feel content. This contentment which comes whether it is friendly match at the park or a $30,000 tournament with guys that will be on TV at the US Open or NCAA championships shortly