Colleen Clery Ferrell

Two months into the pandemic without tennis competition may seem like an eternity to some and peaceful respite to others. Some members of the newly formed NWTO, have spent up to 40 years competing in national tournaments on a regular schedule – hitting all four surfaces in search of great wins, competition, camaraderie, travel, dining out, sightseeing and the pursuit of individual tennis excellence. So what happens when a freak virus takes over the world, shuts down life to a standstill and pulls the passionate activity of tennis from right under your feet?

Taking a break from the beloved game of tennis presents many options to extremely competitive tennis players. Some pandemic guidelines during quarantine suggested to walk, jog, hike, get a workout from fitness video tapes, do yoga or ride a bike to get the blood moving and maintain some sort of exercise routine. For a couple of days, this change of pace would be fine. Yet after two months, even the family dog is yearning for a break from the routine.

What about those wild endorphins – the juice from competing – that needs to be expressed and is yearning to be released once again? Can this feeling be substituted during a time of absence? What about the love/hate relationship from competing when the player savors a great win one day and drowns in sorrow and self-pity after a horrible loss? During this pandemic, are the competitive players asking themselves, “Do I really need that life?” When the pandemic goes away and life returns to normal, will I “welcome back the world of competition with open arms” or be content with the “new normal” created by the Coronavirus of 2020. Here’s what some competitive age group players had to say about their lives during the pandemic of 2020.

Quynh Le – 45s -
“My friends and I found parks with only one court. The sign said singles and no doubles during COVID-19. So, we kept playing through the pandemic. At first, we went to all our favorite courts and slowly one by one, they locked up the courts and or also took the nets down so we went to a wall to hit until they put caution tape all over the wall. We found a few courts in Orange County, but the rest of the world was there too, along with those pickle-ballers!!! The main thing: Die hard tennis players can't be stopped and the “Mighty Q” is one of them! I miss competition!!”

Debbie Spence Nasim – 50s -
“I’ve never been one who practices regularly because I played so much when I was younger, but I do miss getting ready for a tournament. This is usually around a six week time period when I drill hard, play some practice matches to get prepared for competition. I miss seeing everybody and the camaraderie of tennis.”

Shelly Works – 55s -
“I’ve been playing ‘street tennis’ and hitting off the wall. I’ve also been looking for ways to help others. I’ve been working out numerous times during the day. The dogs are in great shape from all the walks…it has been exhausting!!! Our house is very clean. I have answered 2000 plus emails. Now that I am back teaching, I am so grateful. I missed my clients and missed just hitting and feeding tennis balls. It’s not something I will ever take for granted again. God gives us many daily blessings which we often take for granted and assume they will always be there. I’m not sure things will ever be the same, but I know we will all play again, perhaps with different parameters. I miss seeing all my friends and doubles partners. I will certainly have an even greater appreciation of playing and the fellowship of friends when we do get to play again. May we never take that privilege and blessing for granted after COVID-19.“

Susan Wright – 60s -
“I recently moved to Florida from Colorado. I’ve been working a lot on my Mary Kay cosmetic business and hitting with my husband Tim. I usually take two months off from tennis competition in November-December, so this has been like a similar vacation since I haven’t experienced a ‘tennis season’ while living in Florida. I’m still getting used to living here. We haven’t had to leave the ‘compound’ as we call our new place since arriving. I do miss the tournaments and the possibility of not being able to play the world championships.”

Tina Karwasky – 65s -
“I’ve missed playing tennis a lot. Even more I’ve missed going to tournaments to see my doubles partner and other tennis friends. You don’t miss and really appreciate these things until it’s taken away from you. I miss going to the gym after playing tennis to lift weights, stretch and cycle. Going to the gym is kind of my quiet time. The tennis courts are all open now. It’s fun to play tennis now but the rust is still flying off my racket. Considering where I was two weeks ago I’ll take the rust!  I tell myself it’s all good. It can only get better!” 

Kathy Bennett – 70s -
“The thing I love about tennis is who I play with. My tennis matches are played, then we eat lunch, then we play cards. It’s so much more than just playing tennis. It’s being with friends and enjoying each other’s company. The same group of players now takes long walks instead of playing and then eats lunch. Also I miss looking forward to a ‘road trip’ to a tournament and traveling with my tennis partner Liane Bryson. We always find fun things to do in each city we play.”

Cathie Anderson – 75s -
“Taking a break was ok for a little bit, but I’m looking forward to playing again. I miss friends, competition and exercise from tennis, especially after playing and competing for 45 years straight. I also miss travel, yet the thought of going back is scary. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

Dorothy Wasser – 80s -
“I have a friend with a private court where I have been playing once a week and I’ve also been hitting off a ball machine. I do miss the travel and tournaments. Overall though, I’ve been sleeping in later and relaxing by watching Netflix. I haven’t been missing the competition too much. I’ve been walking, eating well and enjoying the surroundings. As you get older, it’s survival of the fittest.”

Judging from the responses above, each player has been handling the time away from the great game of tennis competition differently, yet there has been a void in their lives. When tournaments resume, there will no doubt be a greater appreciation from all players for the opportunity to compete, travel, friendships, camaraderie and of course, the pure joy of smacking a winner on match point.