Playing Tennis
Check with your doctor before undertaking a new fitness activity. Tennis may be unsuitable if you have joint or shoulder problems.  Tennis is a reasonably accessible sport which can be enjoyed in different ways. With young children, a swing ball (tetherball) in the garden may be all that’s needed to encourage racquet skills. With older children, there are local authority courts, private tennis clubs plus tuition is often available through schools. Tennis may be played on concrete courts, lawn courts or even indoors at private sports clubs such as many David Lloyd Clubs.
(Raquet shown by Wilson available online from John Lewis £24.95).
Tennis provides aerobic exercise, increases strength and is high impact so is helpful in the maintenance of bone density. It can be hard on the joints such as knees and shoulders. To warm up before playing consider walking quickly, jogging at a moderate intensity, arm rotations, racquet swings and trunk rotations. Keep moving during your warm up. Save static stretches for after the game when you can lengthen out muscles that have tightened as you play.
If you intend to take up tennis seriously you may require the correct clothing as some clubs have dress codes. Tennis whites look lovely and make you feel the part. Remember to wear a supportive sports bra. This will give your breasts proper support and avoid damage to the ligament that lies beneath them (Cooper’s ligament). Once the Cooper’s ligament is stretched it will probably stay stretched and you will have the unfortunate legacy of saggy boobs. See lessbounce for a good selection of sports bras in a very wide range of sizes.
Correct footwear is important to reduce the risk of foot, ankle, knee and back injury as tennis is high impact. Playing on grass courts is slightly kinder to the joints that hard courts but  cushioned footwear is important. Any reputable sportswear shop should be able to assist you with appropriate clothing and footwear. (Shoes shown from JD Sports).
When purchasing tennis racquet for a beginner go for a larger head. Keep the racquet fairly lightweight, about 9 to 10 ounces, but not too lightweight as you don’t want the frame to crack. Aluminium racquets are usually cheaper, graphite more costly. Vibration dampeners can be purchased if you racquet vibrates too much (this can be bad for your wrist and elbow). Inexpensive tennis balls are fine for beginners. For a club near you the following website is a directory of UK lawn tennis clubs: Tennis Club Links Have fun!
Watching Tennis
Television coverage of tennis during Wimbledon certainly encourages many of us to dust off our racquets and join the stars on the courts Although Wimbledon tends to grab the limelight in the UK, there are international events throughout the year.
Tricia writes June 2008: This event has been happening for as long as I can remember in Eastbourne but in 2009 a major change is planned as the event will be for both women and men players.
I purchased my ticket for the East stand of centre court several weeks before the event to avoid disappointment, but seats with lesser views were still available on the day. Tickets were priced at £20.00 for centre court on the Monday or alternatively you could purchase a grounds ticket for £10.00 to watch games on other courts. Ticket prices vary throughout the week. Remember, there will be less play on the outer courts as the week progresses as players are eliminated from the event.
The atmosphere was relaxed with stalls selling food, drink and tennis clothing and equipment.
We had a wonderful day watching players such as Amelie Mauresmo and Petrova play plus lesser known players all of a high standard. It is entertaining just to watch the younger new players aiming to spot the stars of the future as you walk around the outer courts. You can also watch the techniques the players use to improve your own game if you are a tennis player.
If attending do check the weather forecast. You may need a sun hat, sun glasses, water, sun cream a cardigan/jumper and a plastic mac of some sort. In the space of the five hours we had sun, heat, cloud and rain. Many people take a picnic as food prices inside the grounds can add up quickly if you are in a group.
The Eastbourne International Women’s Open is a great preliminary to Wimbledon the following week.
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