Fighting Battles with the Help of Tennis

"Getting the competitive juices going lifted me out of a deep depression that the last few years had burdened me with and as my fitness improved so did my results and, more importantly, my mental health."

I started playing tennis around 3 years ago after being diagnosed with Crohns Disease and having an awful couple of years health wise, culminating in major surgery. This knocked me for six and I needed something to help with my physical and mental recovery. I used to do a lot of long distanced cycling, but this wasn’t an option anymore so I looked a little closer to home and found the All Star tennis courts in King George’s Park Wandsworth.

After signing up for a few daytime social sessions there I could tell this was just the thing I needed and someone suggested I look into the local league. This was without doubt a life changing moment for me. Getting the competitive juices going lifted me out of a deep depression that the last few years had burdened me with and as my fitness improved so did my results and, more importantly, my mental health.

I play all year round in the leagues and love every aspect of it. Whether it’s a beautiful sunny day and you’re cruising to an easy win or you are slogging it out on frosty January courts in blistering hail, only to lose in the third, I am completely addicted. 

The competition is fantastic and so are the people you meet along the way. I now play regularly with players I’ve met through the league and know that if I’m ever looking for a social game, there is a wealth of great opponents I can message. 

2020 has been a tough year for everyone and although I’ve not been able to play all the way through, when we have been able to get out on court, tennis and the league have been a huge lift and something to really look forward to. So, here’s to a tennis packed 2021 when I hope to get my daughter out on court for the first time and keep climbing the league!

If you'd like to join a league, like Joe, click here to find one local to you.