10 August 2018

A debut to remember

Sally Murray

Sally Murray hadn’t played a tennis match since school before she joined the latest round of the Norwich Parks Women’s league. We find out what inspired her to get back into competitive action and how she’s overcome her nerves

I was very fortunate to be able to play tennis at school aged 11 and to be good enough to make the tennis team.

A poster for the league appeared on the fence at the Thorpe Rec tennis courts where I was playing.  I joined because I wanted to meet new people who I could play with more frequently and to have fun.

The people I have met in my group have been so friendly and welcoming. They were very supportive when I said I was nervous because I hadn’t played any league tennis. 

The best matches I have played have had many games which have gone to three or four deuces.  These games are very satisfying even if I don’t win them. A point I remember being particularly pleased with was when I twisted myself to hit a double handed backhand off a deep return on the baseline, and it just skimmed the net cross court to win the point - an instinctive reaction which felt good! 

Participating in the league has given me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and play lots of different people.  With each match I have played I feel my confidence has grown, and this has helped me really enjoy my games. It has been a joy to meet some lovely ladies and to play a good standard of tennis.

It can be scary to step out of your comfort zone to begin with, but that feeling soon becomes a distant memory once you’re playing the game you love.  I say, feel the fear and do it anyway – you owe it to yourself to take this opportunity to play some good tennis whatever the standard.

Have fun and good luck!

If you would like to join Sally in getting back into friendly, competitive tennis, the next round of the Norwich Parks Womens Tennis League runs from 30th August to 24th October and you can join here by Monday 27th August.