A Boost of Confidence

Playing against same-level, like-minded players in a league that has an amiably competitive spirit has allowed the confidence in my abilities to surge. If you lose, then you take away valuable learning points to practise for next time. If you win, you feel on top of the world and give yourself a mental pat on the back.

What got you into tennis?

I'm a mum-of-three proofreader for whom tennis has been a long time coming. Practically my whole family played while I was growing up, but for some reason I'd opted for hockey and horse-riding instead. Fast-forward 30-odd years and I finally decided to give tennis a go - at the Caversham Lawn Tennis Club - and haven't looked back! In fact, I'm now the club's social secretary and create a podcast about tennis called 'Talking Tennis with Linda'. Perhaps someone from the LTL team would like to be my next guest?!

What got you started with LTL?

I've been playing for two-and-a-half years now, first joining group sessions and playing socially. I'd always played doubles because, frankly, I'd assumed singles would require a level of fitness and stamina that I just didn't have. Then a tennis friend urged me to join LTL Reading, taking a good year or so to convince me that singles is great and that it would improve my match play - which I had zero experience in.

I finally joined (in the lowest group) and, after a couple of false starts because of lockdown, I was amazed to find I was winning matches, and actually found myself at the top of the table!

What do you love about it?

LTL has given me such a boost because I have found that confidence is everything in this game. And playing against same-level, like-minded players in a league that has an amiably competitive spirit has allowed the confidence in my abilities to surge. If you lose, then you take away valuable learning points to practise for next time. If you win, you feel on top of the world and give yourself a mental pat on the back. Along the way, you meet some wonderful players who you would otherwise never have met.

It's an addiction now - the drive to win and bag that top prize in your group. It's allowed me to grow as a player, figuring out strategies, working on the mental side of the game, and adapting my game to each opponent. So, thank you to LTL for brightening up my tennis world. I'm going to be an LTLer for many years to come!

Join players like Linda on a court near you. Find your Local League here.