Teresa Merklin

A wonderful way to support the tennis ecosystem is through acts of service. For many of the best competitors in Adult tennis, a gift of time is one of the most beneficial ways to contribute to the sport. Experienced players are valuable resources for introducing tennis to new people. This is one way that everybody can maximize their impact in support of the ecosystem. 

One great way to support tennis is to volunteer to provide instruction for new or beginning players. While full-service tennis facilities generally cover introductory programming with paid staff, that isn’t true of park courts and school courts. Volunteering to support a free tennis discovery day is a way to promote the sport at the grassroots level to people who might not otherwise experience it. 

Chances are your local middle school or high school tennis program might not have a coach who is overly familiar with tennis. There are likely situations where a volunteer assistant coach would be greatly appreciated while providing a better tennis experience for the players. Volunteering to organize a booster club or other fundraising drives for a scholastic program would also likely be appreciated. The key is to work closely within the rules and regulations of the organization.

Tournaments are always in need of volunteers to run sites. The tournament desk is where many players experience organized competitive tennis for the first time. Having a skilled person on the desk guiding new players through the mechanics of play is highly impactful. There is always a need for other logistical support for events, such as hauling ice to the sites in the morning or delivering lunches for the other volunteers. If you are not already connected with the tournament organizers in your local area, now is a great time to start that engagement.

Officiating in tennis is frequently a paid position, as it should be. However, even though there is financial compensation, becoming a certified USTA official is an act of service to the sport. I believe that tennis officials deliver better instruction on the rules of tennis than any other source. Ensuring fair play for all players provides value to the sport.

Another great way to support the tennis ecosystem through service is by advocating for or directly providing maintenance on park courts. If there are outstanding issues at your local courts, be the person who reaches out to the municipality to lobby for repair. Some basic maintenance items can be performed directly, such as picking up trash or slapping a cable tie on a loose windscreen.

Promoting tennis through social media can also be an act of service to the sport. A post on a community forum celebrating a beautiful day for tennis puts the sport in front of a largely non-tennis population. Distributing nice photos of tennis that happens in your community is another great way to inspire others to head to the courts. 

The very best players in Senior Adult tennis are generous with their time for the benefit of the sport. If you are not already involved in supporting tennis through your acts of service, there is no time like the present to start getting involved.