From local clubs to Wimbledon, tennis fans live out their passion

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With the increasing international success of home-grown tennis players such as Leylah Annie Fernandez, Bianca Andreescu, Denis Shapovalov, and Felix Auger-Aliassime, more Canadians are taking an interest in the sport. And, with a lifting of COVID restrictions, returning to sports clubs is a priority. Whether nurturing social connections or satisfying a more intense passion, tennis afficionados describe returning to the courts as more of a lifestyle than a hobby.
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“My passion for tennis, and why it is my personal favorite sport, is that it provides both a social and exercise experience at the same time,” said Kimm Enns, a member of Toronto Tennis City, a club that provides its members access to red Italian clay courts, a beautiful clubhouse, near-professional level adult programs, and Canada’s top school for junior players, ACE Tennis Academy.

“I started off playing recreationally as a kid and teenager, and didn’t return to it until after having our four kids. Now tennis is a weekly routine of mine with clinics once or twice per week, plus playing in matches in a ladies league.”

Part of the appeal of a club like Toronto Tennis City is the extra measures management will go to for its well-to-do clientele.

“Upon entering our club, people are looking for a very pleasant experience,” said Michael Zimmerman, the club’s general manager, who is also a tennis professional at the club and vice-president of All-Canadian Sports Management Inc.

“We pride ourselves on offering service beyond expectations. The first impression of our club is important. Are potential members greeted in a friendly manner? Are they made to feel special? Is the club clean and welcoming? Potential members are interested in tennis. Do the tennis facilities appear to be in good condition? Upon leaving the club, are people thinking that this is a place where I will enjoy my time here.”

Because COVID regulations dampened her women’s league activities, Enns says she and her colleagues were not only looking forward to returning to the game, but returning to each other’s company.

“While I want to improve my tennis, and playing in a league provides the opportunity to meet that goal, more important to me is the social aspect,” explained Enns.

“I have a core group of women that I play with weekly and we are always encouraging of each other’s play. The league though also allows me to meet other woman from different parts of the city and lends a bit of competitive play to test my ability and skills. Playing tennis puts a smile on my face as soon as I enter the court and stays on when I exit the court, no matter what the score is at the end of a game.”

Following your tennis passion abroad

And if neither home court advantage nor price is of any concern, moving your game abroad can be achieved in the most luxurious of settings. Andrew Newman is the founder and CEO of Black Tie Travel, a private membership-based travel and lifestyle club which offers bespoke, curated, immersive travel experiences. Newman’s clients seek out the VIP Wimbledon Finals travel experience for a number of reasons.

“Wimbledon is about many elements,” said Newman. “[We begin] with, ‘Which week you want to go – first or second week, or do you want to attend the Finals and semi-finals only? Would you prefer only to watch the stars on Number One or Centre Court? Or, are you more of a grassroots fan that prefers the outer courts? Then it’s about the seats themselves and the hospitality.”

Newman adds that his clients’ top requests are to attend the men’s and women’s finals games, to be sat as close to The Royal Box as possible, or, alternatively, to be placed behind the servers, back of court, rather than level with the net.

Refreshments are almost always an entire strawberries and cream presentation. Building a week’s adventure of travel through England is also an option. For every client, Newman asks them the question, “Why?” He says it’s the Black Tie philosophy that reminds them of connecting their passion to their lifestyle.

“Asking the ‘why’ will enable the client to share the emotional reason or purpose of the trip. … This creates a clear picture of what we need to provide.”

And with Canadian winters another factor, Tennis Canada, the national governing body, has acknowledged the need for more access to indoor courts.

“With only 750 accessible year-round courts in all of Canada, we seriously lag the best tennis nations in the world,” said Tennis Canada’s CEO, Michael Downey. “That disadvantage must be closed over time. Just think about how good Canada will be when that gap is closed.”

And while Canadians eagerly brush up on their serve, whether at their home club or in a luxe VIP setting, Zimmerman says they can always do more to improve their game.

Tips to improve your tennis game

“I get this question frequently. Following are a few considerations to seriously improve your tennis game:

1. Take private lessons from an experience certified tennis professional.
2. Adhere to the two P’s. They are preparation and positioning.
3. Practise often but be sure you understand how to practise properly. The saying ‘practice makes perfect’ is not true. You may be practising the wrong things.
4. Keep in good physical condition.
5. Think about what you’re going to do on the tennis court. Mental imaging works.
6. Practise your strokes in front of a mirror. Of course, be sure you’re practising the right strokes.”