Okay, so, I decided to get back into tennis. It’s been a while, but I figured, why not? I’m not getting any younger, and it’s a good way to stay active. So I looked around and found this “Charlotte County 50 Plus Tennis League.” Sounded right up my alley.
First thing I did was check out what kind of leagues they had. Seemed like they had something for everyone, from beginners to, well, not-so-beginners. They’ve got leagues for men and women, and they divide it up by age and skill level. They use this NTRP rating thing, which I had to look up. Apparently, it’s a way to measure your tennis skills. I’m probably somewhere in the middle, I guess.
Getting Started
I saw they mentioned something about USTA Adult League which are divided by gender and level within different age groups. And it turned out that this Charlotte County league has been around for a while, 50 plus years.
They also host a bunch of teams, like, eight teams, and each one has 20 or more players. That’s a lot of tennis players! They’ve got 3.0 and 3.5 teams specifically in the 50+ Women’s league. So, I figured I’d start with the 3.0, just to ease back into things.
Joined a Team
It seems there are also many members in other leagues like Peace River Senior Men’s Tennis League, so I thought maybe it is competitive.
I found a team that was looking for players, and I contacted the captain. She was real nice, told me about their practices and matches. I went to a couple of practices, and, man, it was tough at first. My legs were sore, my arms were sore, everything was sore! But I stuck with it, and it started to get easier.
Playing Matches
We started playing some matches against other teams in the league. It was fun, but also a bit nerve-wracking. I hadn’t played competitively in years. But you know what? I actually won a few matches! It felt good to be back on the court, competing again. And it’s not just about winning, it’s about being part of a team, making new friends, and just enjoying the game.
I found that there is going to be an East Coast Championship this year from November 15th to 17th. They hold this event every year. I am not sure if I will participate, but it sounds exciting.
So, yeah, that’s my story about joining the Charlotte County 50 Plus Tennis League. It’s been a great experience so far. I’m getting some exercise, meeting new people, and having a blast. If you’re over 50 and thinking about getting back into tennis, or even trying it for the first time, I say go for it! You won’t regret it.
- Find a league: Look for leagues in your area.
- Check the levels: Make sure they have a level that’s right for you.
- Contact a team: Reach out to a team captain and see if they’re looking for players.
- Practice: Go to practices and get back into the swing of things.
- Play matches: Have fun and enjoy the competition!
That’s my advice. It ain’t rocket science, but it works. Just get out there and play!
