Pushing Through to Get Results

Joining a league has been very important for me, so I very much recommend to every passionate tennis player (despite the level), who wants to catch the sensation of someone like Roger, Rafael, Andy or Novak, to join.

My journey with tennis in the UK started in July 2017 after a Wimbledon tennis match I watched on TV with my wife. I still remember the moment she said, ‘Antonio, what do you think if we start to play tennis?’ and I said, ‘Are you serious? Tennis is a tough sport, not very easy.’ She said, ’Yes, why not, let’s start! I am curious and want to try.’ So I took that moment as a chance and we jumped onto a court at Leaders Gardens a couple of days after. Since then, tennis has been a part of our lives.

I had played tennis just for fun when I was a little boy and was dreaming to become a champion like my old idols, Agassi and Sampras. After a few months of being back on court, I spent my time familiarising myself with the grips, the techniques and attending tennis classes at my local courts. I then decided to join my first Local Tennis League in Wandsworth, but I have to be honest, it wasn’t a great start. All the positive expectations I had before the first match were lost after the first few sets where I was able to win only some points and a few games in total…not a great start at all.

I was quite upset by my results so I decided to take a break from competition to concentrate on increasing my skills. I also wanted to work on my mental strength in the game because it is quite a significant part. So after a couple of years spent working on those aspects, I decided to join a league again last summer. I took part at Barnes and Sheen Tennis league as well as the Richmond Park league where on many occasions I had a chance to compete, to battle and to push myself as a tennis player, reaching great goals in all the leagues. I placed third in my group in each league; not too bad I would say, especially after a long break away from competition.

Looking back, I am really proud of myself, not only for the results I was able to reach, but that I am able to play with more precision and always looking for the perfect shot. Joining a league has been very important for me, so I very much recommend to every passionate tennis player (despite the level), who wants to catch the sensation of someone like Roger, Rafael, Andy or Novak, to join. We are a bit far off the professional players, but we are not far off doing a beautiful shot or to have the sensation of winning a match or to suffer a moment of loss and to try to find the best way to win. So be ready to jump on a court, to face your opponent and dream of your Wimbledon final.

Sign up to your Local Tennis League here!