The Comeback Kid

I can barely lift my arm. I had my first session with a tennis pro two days ago and until now, I’m still feeling the effects of crazily swinging my racket like a possessed tennis maniac.

During the training, an officemate, who was instrumental in hooking me up with the trainer, commented ‘Ang sarap no?’. She was exhausted herself after her hour-long rally with another trainer ended. I don’t know if that would be the same adjective I would use to describe the satisfaction that avid tennis players get after a tiring session, but I guess that was her way of putting it in words.

I’ve been playing badminton steadily for the past few years and many, many years of tennis before that. True, the speed and the pinpoint accuracy of badminton has its thrills, but I have to say it will never come close to the feeling one gets after a well executed cross-court top spin backhand. Apples and oranges I know, but I happen to have played both sports competitively and I think in terms of satisfaction, tennis seems to have the edge.

Maybe it’s the fact that you simply cant just pick up a tennis racket and expect to have a good forehand at the end of the day. Its something that has to be developed and nurtured over time. Some folks can look pretty good in a badminton court for a very short period, but with tennis, there are no short cuts. If you don’t put in the time, it will show.