This one hit home for me. I started playing tennis nearly 20 years ago and fell in love. I wasn't very talented, but loved the game and loved how it made me feel. Over time, I drifted away and found myself going years without playing or even watching. I decided back in 2022 that I would start watching the tours again, and this summer, I decided instead of just watching tennis, that I would pick up a racquet again. I'm playing once a week, and for that small window of time, I fully forget about everything around me. It is the best hour of the week.
I appreciate all of that. I stopped playing for a period about three years ago because I was burning out, and I sensed I should stop before I ruined things. Returned to hitting again about a year ago and it's been such a great thing to rediscover (even if I'm nowhere near my previous level haha)
I also loved your line: “the more ways I’ve layered in, the liking grows” because that’s what happened with me. The more I watched, listened and allowed myself to be involved with the sport again, the more I cleared the roadblocks I built up around it (cost, proximity to a court, not knowing where to begin again).
This one hit home for me. I started playing tennis nearly 20 years ago and fell in love. I wasn't very talented, but loved the game and loved how it made me feel. Over time, I drifted away and found myself going years without playing or even watching. I decided back in 2022 that I would start watching the tours again, and this summer, I decided instead of just watching tennis, that I would pick up a racquet again. I'm playing once a week, and for that small window of time, I fully forget about everything around me. It is the best hour of the week.
I appreciate all of that. I stopped playing for a period about three years ago because I was burning out, and I sensed I should stop before I ruined things. Returned to hitting again about a year ago and it's been such a great thing to rediscover (even if I'm nowhere near my previous level haha)
I also loved your line: “the more ways I’ve layered in, the liking grows” because that’s what happened with me. The more I watched, listened and allowed myself to be involved with the sport again, the more I cleared the roadblocks I built up around it (cost, proximity to a court, not knowing where to begin again).
Love how simply put this is without feeling overly romantic; sports can be appreciated outside of personal stakes!