“The depressing thing about tennis is that no matter how good I get, I’ll never be as good as a wall.”
Mitch Hedberg
What do sweat, heaving bosoms, and short skirts have in common? No, not that — Indies unlimited is a safe for work site. The quote above should have clued you in to my topic this month for Getting It Right. Tennis is a wonderful sport requiring skill, speed, mental fortitude, and often, the patience of a saint. A character that plays tennis, no matter the skill level, will give the reader clues to their personality. As a pro once told me, “How you are on the court is how you are in life.” Although I don’t agree 100% with that assessment, I’ll accept it for the purpose of this post.
I was always fascinated with tennis. Long before I played I fantasized that I was Chris Evert, dominating my opponent in a little white pleated skirt. I watched her matches in awe — her composure, perseverance, and relentless defense made me promise myself that someday I too would play this demanding sport.
In my WIP one of my characters is a first-position doubles player on a competitive team. This is no small feat. Her success on the tennis court serves a dual purpose — to develop her character through her fierce competitive nature, and to assuage my ego. I, sadly, will never be the tennis player she is. Katherine’s athleticism and competitive nature are crucial personality traits that the reader needs to consider. Would a 5′ 10″ woman who slams a ball at her opponent’s midsection, a valid shot to win a point, be capable of murder? I’m not telling, you will have to read the book to find out.
I am lucky enough to be on the winning Tampa district team headed to Daytona in August. This team is a supportive group of top-notch tennis players who know how to relax after a match is over. We know how to laugh, and my teammates won’t be insulted when I clue you in to some of the club tennis realities and tricks of the trade.
Reality number one: “We sweat therefore we smell.” If your character plays tennis they will smell, at least before they can take a nice hot shower. We don’t care that we may be odiferous; there are eight of us hanging in the corner of the court café after a match and we can’t smell ourselves. Our sweat this season has carried the scent of victory. We refuse to douse ourselves in perfume. We have noticed that in restaurants the other patrons sit far away. This is of no consequence to us. I have only met one woman who plays in full make-up, leaving the court as fresh and sweet smelling as when she walked onto it. She is a Southern Belle and despite 90 degree temperatures they do not sweat.
Tennis is humbling. I have learned that when two old ladies with knee braces ,who’ve been partners for twenty years, walk onto the court opposite me I need to be ready to run my butt off. They are so sweet as they drop the ball short, or lob over your head. They will chat on the changeover about their grandchildren, while you struggle to get your breath back and drink water. The only way to deal with them is to make them run, or hit balls at their feet. If you miss, however, you might send one of them to the hospital. I know someone who did. The bad karma will dog you for years, and their friends will black ball you.
Superman’s x-ray vision has nothing on league tennis players. Despite contact lenses and glaucoma glasses the league tennis player morphs as they walk onto the court. They develop the vision of a Red Tailed Hawk, and their raptor vision is always correct. Do not dare to explain that the ball landed out at your feet, and that there is a clear mark. Give them the point or be subjected to the ear-splitting scream the aliens make in “The Invasion of the Body Snatchers.”
Doubles partnerships are the equivalent of tennis marriages. Some work well and last for many years. Like a good marriage, it is critical that the game style and the personalities of the partners mesh. Tennis divorces can be messy. The rejected partner has to fight against the inner voice of their ego inciting them to take the separation personally. Thankfully, there are no possessions to divide when partners separate. The only possession previously shared is the position on the team ladder. The discussions deciding the final numeric order of the split teams can be educational and provide sociological fodder for your novel.
Finally, the tennis player who can move forward after a bad shot or ignore gamesmanship on the part of their opponents will win many close matches. The self-confidence and strength that comes with knowing what you can change, and not dwelling on what you cannot, is a hallmark of the successful player.This quality, on the court or in your life, can make a huge difference in achieving your goals. It is a quality that a reader may consider inseparable from the satisfying “who dun it” resolution. After all, it takes a bold act to commit murder.
Thank you for that in-depth information, regarding the mind-set of the tennis scene, or at least that end of it. I could certainly imagine someone like John McEnroe, in a fit of temper, beating someone to death with a tennis racquet, or the very cool Bjön Borg calculating how to take out an opponent (I know, I know… dating myself here) but, the oh so sweet, Chrissy Evert… then again I suppose… Now that I think about it, tennis players do have the kind of ruthlessness that it takes don’t they.
Great post, Lois.
Thanks, TD. You got my point exactly. 🙂
Love the post. Your comments about tennis are spot on. Those old ladies (and the men in mixed doubles) are humbling. All I can do is hope that when I get to that age, I’ll be able to play like that.
I think a person’s attitude to the game can say a lot about their personality, to the point that I have given some of my characters tennis as a hobby and used it to draw parallels to facing adversity.
Your tennis playing character sounds fascinating – will look forward to reading that one.
Hi Mel,
My tennis player is a wonderful, classy lady. But even ladies get angry, sometimes.
Thanks for stopping by.
Great post on how to show rather than tell. Well done, Lois!
Hello, DV
Did you see the sweet old ladies kicking my butt on the court? Then my work here is done. 🙂
Thanks for your comments.
I thought horseracing was the sport of kings…?? LOL! Great article!
Hm. I know the French Court invented tennis. That is why there are so many rules of courtesy. Have to do some checking… 🙂