Recent surveys show that more people are playing tennis than ever before. Tennis playing in the US, for instance, is up 12 percent from last year and more than 25 percent from six years ago.
Stefanie Graf: “It gives me great joy to see people excited about playing tennis. Tennis is a versatile sport, which can be well played by anyone from amateur to professional and from young to old. What is also great is that playing gives the body a very effective workout.”
In many countries of the world tennis is among the most popular sports. Of course, it helps that there are tennis stars from all over the world, but there is also the fact that tennis greatly increases individual fitness and can still be played up until old age. Even beginners can quickly appreciate the athletic and mental challenge tennis has to offer. For the beginning it is helpful to engage a trainer to avoid injuries and to learn a proper technique.
“Singles” or one on one tennis, provides a more intense workout, whereas doubles play, while also a solid workout, is more about teamwork and the fun of playing together with others.
While playing many groups of muscles from the upper body to the legs are used. Strong core muscles are needed for a stable posture and a powerful serve. Furthermore, you may want bend your knees for every stroke to play the balls more precisely and this posture also allows one to pivot quickly in any direction.
Tennis is also an excellent sport to strengthen the cardiovascular system, because it keeps your body constantly in motion. Good foot work with many small steps is important and at the same time gives you a great endurance training. With an average weight of 130lb your body already burns 430 cal/hour. This is a faster burn rate than riding the bicycle, skiing or doing aerobic for an hour.
Stefanie Graf: “Since ending my professional career I am much less intense about playing, I have less expectations and ambitions. Tennis no longer has a competitive character, it has now become a leisure activity and a way to stay in shape. It also breaks me away from my daily routine because when I am playing I can only concentrate on the next ball, the next stroke and my opponent.
For me, tennis includes a perfect mix of physical exertion, endurance and speed. Whenever I have not played in a while, I can really feel it in my lungs and muscles. In summary, there is no other sport that challenges and keeps me so fit.”
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