Here’s what happened.
My family never belonged to a country club.
I didnt play on the high school team.
There was that annual unit in P.E.
But, unlike more familiar pick-up team sports like basketball or softball, tennis felt inaccessible.
I didnt have a clear entry point.
CEO and co-founder ofCourt 16in New York City
Trading the comfort zone for the court
My first lesson went great.
When youre young, you try new things, and its very exciting, he says.
Theres novelty in every experience, stakes and expectations are low, and youre accustomed to making mistakes.
As we get older, we become creatures of comfort.
I think that has a lot to do with the physical and cognitive decline that naturally comes with age.
Essentially, sticking to what you know is a protective mechanism that prevents us from getting injuredphysically and psychologically.
For the most part, its useful.
If we want to improve ourselves, we must be comfortable with being uncomfortable, Dr. Takaku says.
Patience is one of the factors that separates successful beginners from those who get discouraged and quit.
CEO and co-founder ofCourt 16in New York City
It takes time and perseverance, he says.
My initial big goal of playing a match was actually too aggressive for a beginner.
I was skipping a lot of important steps, like developing foundational skills and an understanding of the game.
So, regardless of the outcome, I felt like I accomplished something.
When youre young, you try new things, and its very exciting.
As we get older, we become creatures of comfort.
The simple act of trying something new, regardless of the outcome, can also broaden your thinking.
Getting out of your comfort zone allows you to see things from other perspectives.
And I think I understand my 5-year-olds inability to lose any game with grace just alittlebit better.
Im also starting to see some progress, thanks to patience, consistency, and these expert-backed tips.
Reflect on what has worked that day.
When did you feel like you were making good contact with the ball?
Not sure where to start?
Ask your coach for feedback.
attempt to learn three things after every lesson, he suggests.
Scale accordingly
Beginner-specific gear, drills, and games can make the learning experience more enjoyable and fruitful.
Evrard recommends starting with low-compressiontennis balls, which are slightly bigger and travel more slowly.
Hit slowly and have a go at build that consistency.
We have this narrow vision of comparing ourselves right now to ourselves of yesterday.
We cannot see the growth, Dr. Takaku says.
Invest in instruction
If your budget allows, work with a coach who has experience teaching beginners.
Also, every coach has their own style, personality, and approach.
It may take a few tries to find someone with whom you connect.
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