At  USTA Mid-Atlantic we often say tennis is so much more than a game played with a racquet and ball. We believe tennis is a culture, a community and a passion that builds character, enhances your life and makes you who you are.

With the Thanksgiving season here, we started thinking and talking about the sport we love and why we are so thankful to not only be working to grow the game and get more people playing but also simply why we. LOVE. Tennis. So. Much!

So we started a list of things about tennis we are so thankful for and appreciate. By reflecting on this appreciation we hope more people can understand why tennis is special and feel motivated to show their support during the charitable giving season to ensure all people in the Mid-Atlantic region, especially children, get to experience the benefits of a game that gives back in so many ways. Our list is by no means complete so we definitely want to hear from you on what you would add too. Here goes:

Tennis makes us thankful for…. 

• A double fault-free day
• A sport that may help me live longer than adults that play other sports
• Drop shots that only fall on our opponents side
• Hitting an ace here or there
• Physical activity that doesn’t feel like exercise because tennis is just too much fun to feel like exercise
• Giving kids a healthy, enriching outlet that helps them dream big and achieve more
• Friends, that become best friends, that become family thanks to tennis
• A way for all generations to connect through a shared passion
• Red, orange, green  tennis balls; racquets and courts sized right for kids to have fun and fall in love with the game right away
• Confidence that comes from being on the court and goes well-beyond the court
• An NTRP rating and the possibility (dread?) of it changing
• Fun competition and maybe, just maybe bringing home a National trophy some day
• A healthy activity that can be played all through your life from the early years to the golden years, tennis truly is a lifetime sport
• The satisfaction that comes from hearing the pop of the tennis ball off your racquet when you hit it just right
• Life-lessons learned through the game – mental fortitude, honesty, sportsmanship and so much more
• Afterschool and out-of-school tennis programs that are engaging for kids, allow them to have fun with friends and introduce them to a new sport
• Being able to play and have fun with a team, but challenging and pushing to see what you can do when you are all by yourself against an opponent
• Leadership opportunities that are meaningful – being a captain, playing in the first line, volunteering, coaching all thanks to this great sport
• Incredible tennis trips – USTA Mid-Atlantic Regionals or Sectionals; National events, US Open, Australian Open, Wimbledon…
• Recognition earned for good sportsmanship
• Stress relief and release thanks to being able to take frustrations out on a yellow ball
• The next generation of tennis greats and their coaches and teachers innovating around the game
• A way that my child can excel, belong and have success thanks to the game being welcoming, adaptable and fun
• Giving back through the sport and being able to support programs that are making a difference such as the Mid-Atlantic Section’s afterschool program, scholarships and grants for Safe Places to Play.
• Amazing Pro tennis players that inspire – Serena, Venus, Rafa, Roger, Tiafoe, Stevens, Osaka and so many more
• Diversity and bringing people of all types, ages, abilities and backgrounds together because the game knows no boundaries

What would you add to the list that we have not included? Leave a comment or tweet us (@USTAMidAtlantic) with your comment using #ThankfulforTennis.