My Love Letter to Tennis

Sukhi Shergill - December 4th, 2023

Ever since I was a little kid, I have had two dreams. One was to be a world-class tennis player and the other was to be a concert pianist. Of course growing up in a family that valued academics more than anything else, those two dreams never got realized. There I was, alone, sad, forced to play Will Sports on my little Wii as a way to fulfill my tennis hunger. The only thought that subsided my anguish was the fact that Pioneer High School had a tennis team, so I grinded out the long years of elementary and middle school just to have a chance to finally play in real life. I’m being 100% honest in saying that joining this team has been the best decision of my life. 

I have never met people who are as accepting as those on the Pioneer Tennis Team.  Even though I had never had tennis experience before, everyone on the team was so supportive. They were always ready to teach me how to play and would encourage everyone whenever someone made a good hit. It was the best possible environment for me to learn in, especially when you would finally learn how to do a backhand or how to volley a ball and have a senior then pat your back for it. Sometimes even the opponents would compliment us on hits and talk to us like friends, no matter the score. The environment that tennis creates is honestly magical. 

Playing the game in real life was also so thrilling. Of course I am a little biased as I have always loved the sport, but once you learn it, the thrill of slamming down shots or nailing a ground stroke is something you will never get over. I was not the best player, I was always on the lower end of the lineup, but I could never describe to you the thrill of getting to play, no matter where your skill level. It is such a unique feeling, especially if you have never played a sport before.

The bonds tennis creates is also hard to beat. I really do not think I have laughed at home as much as I did during practice. Everyone is so funny once you get to know them, and it makes spending these long hours on away games feel so quick. I mean there would be times where we just played charades everywhere we went, we would collectively run to belair and back, and we would rally with each other with the most impossible to hit balls. As a current senior right now, there are still people I talk with who graduated before me because of the team. 

I hope that anyone reading this piece who needs a fall sport or has never tried sports before to try tennis next year. I mean for all the memories I shared above, I think everyone should experience this kind of joy at least once in their life. If you are worried that it’s too late for you to join, I know those who have joined their sophomore or junior year and they turned out just fine. The memories that you’ll make on the team are ones that you’ll forever cherish, and you’ll end up with a sport you’ll forever love. Please join and live out the fantastic experience.