Why You Should Play Tennis

McEnroe's Mission  |  John McEnroe wants you to play tennis. Me too! But I think it is best you hear it from the tennis legend himself. He is a former World No.1 tennis player, and a seven times Grand Slam singles winner plus he has won the Grand Slam doubles titles ten times over including a mixed doubles title. He spent a total of 170 weeks at the top of the rankings between 1980 and 1985. He now works as a sports commentator during major tennis matches on a number of the US TV and cable networks.

RE-POSTED FROM BBC SPORTS, TENNIS 

Tennis does have a stuffy image. That's not just in the UK but everywhere, even the United States. But I can tell you tennis is one of the best all round games that I've been lucky enough to be part of. It combines a lot of strategy and the mental part of the sport is huge because you're out there by yourself. It can be difficult being on your own, I know this myself. When you lose you feel really naked out there and it's difficult to accept it but that's part of the process.

Tennis is one of the most difficult sports to learn, but when you do master it, it's so enjoyable because things happen without you even thinking. You can win points in lots of different ways and be totally creative on the court too. 

People talk about attitude and in the UK it seems very important to be a good loser. While in America you are taught to win at any cost. I personally feel that somewhere in the middle of that would be ideal. I always say that the greatest match I was ever part of was the 1980 Wimbledon final which I lost to Bjorn Borg. Even though it sounds corny, I felt like I came out of that match a winner. My respect level among players and fans went up by 20 or 50 times more and that's the match people always ask me about.

It's a lot harder to go out and fail or lose than to try at all. I give automatic respect to people who are willing to get themselves out there. You should take great pride in giving 100 per cent effort. Maybe you don't always win but you'll be amazed that a lot of good things will happen.

Never give up!

So why you should play tennis? My take is apart from the obvious reasons of fitness and it promotes a healthy lifestyle, it is also fun, social and can be competitive. You only need one other person to play a game of tennis, and it is truly a lifetime sport and can be played at any age. No expensive equipment to buy, public courts are free and easily accessible. Even the competitive player can enjoy the competition as an individual or on a team through league play. Competitive juniors can even look forward to obtaining a tennis scholarship at one of the post secondary colleges across North America. Other than playing on a team, you have to utmost control over your game and yourself. Tennis is such a unique sport. Take that hockey!