Working out with a shoulder injury

Two years ago, I picked up a tennis racquet and decided I was going to learn to play.

I now own two racquets, special tennis shoes, a very cute Lululemon tennis bag, even cuter tennis clothes, and three elbow braces for my tennis elbow.

And my game has not improved proportionally.

Here’s where I stand at the top of year two: I need to work on my forehand. My backhand. My serve. Where to stand on the court. Footwork. Volleys. And — this one is key — keeping the ball in play.

Other than that? Practically professional.

The humbling is real. Learning a new sport as an older adult means being spectacularly bad at something in front of other humans, regularly, with zero ability to blame your equipment (I tried — it doesn’t work).

But here’s what nobody warned me about: it’s one of the best things I’ve done.

When you’re already good at things, progress is invisible. Learning tennis from scratch means a single clean rally feels like winning a Grand Slam.

You also remember what it’s like to be a true beginner — uncomfortable, a little embarrassed, and completely alive.

My advice? Pick something you’re terrible at. Show up anyway. Be absolutely fine with the fact that a twelve-year-old could beat you without breaking a sweat.

The dignity is optional. The showing up is not.

Watch out, the pro circuit is next year. 🎾

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