Margaret
Age: 83
“Here I am, 83 years old and obsessed with tennis. How did this come about? Where did it all begin?
For most of my life, tennis has been a mere snippet. But there is a continuing thread of connection.”
Tennis and Me.
1955 to 1960:
Growing up in Calgary. My introduction to tennis began in my teenage years. My best friend’s backyard was situated on the hill directly above the Calgary Tennis Club. We would grab our tennis racquets and balls, hop down her backyard steps, cross the lane, slide down the remainder of the hill, and we were there. A good backboard to practice on. Six shale courts to play on when not in use by members. Summers only. No formal lessons, but friendly Club members gave tips on how to play. I wasn’t hugely enticed then and I wasn’t very good. However, together with other young players, we tried our best and had a lot of fun.
1960 to 1965:
University days in Saskatoon. No tennis.
1965 to 1969:
University days in Toronto. During two summers, I taught English to new Canadians in a school set up for this purpose. Fortune led me to form friendships with young teaching colleagues who played tennis, knew where to find courts, and were looking for other players. As in the teenage years, none of us was particularly talented but we happily swatted balls to the best of our abilities, laughing giddily over our imperfect shots and thoroughly enjoying our frivolous pastime.
1969 to 1972:
Early days of marriage and professional employment, first in Calgary, later in Edmonton. No tennis.
1973 to 1974:
I was now living in Edmonton and employed by the Alberta Law Reform Institute at the University of Alberta. A colleague with tennis experience expressed interest in playing. The Garneau Tennis Club was just four blocks away. I took some group tennis classes and, with my colleague, developed a routine of playing tennis over the lunch hour during the summer months. This lasted for two summers.
1975 to 2005:
Family and career days. Thirty years. No tennis. On occasion, however, I watched professional tennis matches on TV, especially the annual Wimbledon tournament.
2005 to present:
Retirement. The luxury of time. How would I fill it? Somehow, the idea of tennis squirreled its way into my head. The University’s Saville Community Sports Centre offered tennis opportunities, year round, indoors and outdoors. It came with coaches and group lesson opportunities. I took out a membership and signed up for lessons. I met others at my level of play. The obsession began to settle in. I was challenged and wanted to get better. I acquired a coach. I played more often. I attended summer camps for more instruction. The obsession took over.
After twenty years of uninterrupted play, I still strive to improve my technique and my game. Progression has come from continuing determination and a sequence of slow steady gains. Most pleasing of all, and amazing to me at this time of life, is that my body is holding up.
Kudos to the Saville Community Sports Centre, a topnotch facility with a warm accommodating staff, terrific coaches and a wide range of interesting friendly members. Tennis offers unexpected benefits. You can play well into your senior years, it’s great for maintaining physical fitness and opens social opportunities.
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