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Great British Tennis Weekend

The Great British Tennis Weekend

Published on July 11, 2016 by Elizabeth Atia

In collaboration with BritMums & The Lawn Tennis Association.

Great British Tennis Weekend

“The tennis finale is next weekend, isn’t it?” I asked.

The Husband blinks at me.

“It’s not a cabaret, you know.” Then he breaks into the most animated, theatrical tennis pantomime he can. It was really quite the sight to behold.

“It’s the tennis FINAL!” he exclaims, exasperated. You see, he’s a tennis fan.

I burst into laughter. I confess, I know nothing of tennis. Nothing.

This all changed after we booked a court in our local leisure centre. Would you believe I had never played tennis before? I’d never even watched a Wimbledon match before, despite my husband being a tennis fan.

I do like keeping active, but other than bouncing a tennis ball off the side of a building and pinging it back with a racket when I was in my youth, I’ve never played tennis before, until recently.

Girl playing Tennis, image courtesy of Shutterstock

This weekend we hired a court at our local leisure centre and had a go at playing short tennis. With its smaller court, foam ball and lower net its a great introduction to the sport, especially for children.

I was really rather surprised at how our youngest took to the game, trying and trying to perfect his serve over the course of the hour. He reluctantly spent about fifteen minutes as ball boy, letting me have a go at the game.

I too found myself getting into it! This is something we could do as a family on a regular basis.

Boys playing Tennis, image courtesy of Shutterstock

My husband has a bit more of a tennis story than I do. His father was a tennis coach and when he was a child living in Norway he was a keen table tennis player, reaching the National Finals when he was twelve or so. I think he’s still really rather proud of that achievement!

Last weekend I also watched my very first ever Wimbledon match. Milos Raonic vs Andy Murray. Canada vs Scotland. As an expat Canadian living in Scotland I was torn between which player to support, but I found myself rooting for Murray.Β There was some rather good sportsing going on in that game.

My husband explained to me how the points system worked and I found myself getting into the game. As someone who would rather get outide and play sport instead of watching it indoors on the telly I was rather surprisedΒ just how tense a tennis match can be to watch!

Family playing Tennis, image courtesy of Shutterstock

SIGN UP FOR A FREE FAMILY TENNIS EVENT NEAR YOU

This coming weekend, from the 16-17th of July, 2016, is the Great British Tennis Weekend event where thousands of free events will be taking place in tennis courts all across the country. There are sessions to suit the whole family: Highland Spring mini tennis sessions, family time, free play, cardio tennis and numerous other kinds of activities to get involved in.

Rackets and balls are provided, so whether you’ve never picked up a racket before or you’re a seasoned regular – there is fun to be had for the whole family.

If you’d like to try playing tennis this coming Great British Tennis Weekend you can sign up for a FREE Club Spark tennis activity here.

Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary is working with the Lawn Tennis Association on their #GBTW campaign. Sign up to your FREE tennis activity here. This is a paid post. All tennis photos from Shutterstock (I did take pictures of my youngest playing tennis in our local court but he is refusing to let me put them on the internet!)

Category: Sponsored PostTag: BritMums, Sponsored Post, tennis

About Elizabeth Atia

Daydream adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Calls Shetland home.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cecilia Keinapel

    July 30, 2016 at 7:48 pm

    I have never played Tennis before either, but I like the sound of this!

    Reply
  2. Ana De- Jesus

    July 16, 2016 at 7:08 pm

    I had no idea that you were a Canadian, I watched the tennis too and was lucky enough to attend two of the dates. I did not see you sadly but wasn’t the game great?

    Reply
  3. Laura H

    July 15, 2016 at 4:52 pm

    Wow I can’t believe you’d never played tennis before! It’s a great sport during the summer months and one where you can have fun with all family πŸ™‚

    Reply
  4. Hayley McLean

    July 15, 2016 at 12:11 am

    Lol.that sounds like something i’d say re: the finale!!! Glad you’ve been getting into it though πŸ™‚ x

    Reply
  5. Madeline (This Glorious Life)

    July 14, 2016 at 9:27 pm

    I’m the other way round to you, I used to spend time as a youngster hitting balls off walls, but haven’t played tennis at all as a grown up! I love that you enjoyed it though, especially the fact that you enjoyed watching it on the tv, it really can be tense can’t it! x

    Reply
  6. Candice Nikeia

    July 14, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    I ove tennis! It’s such a great sport to start in shape!

    xoxo, Candice
    http://www.candicenikeia.com

    Reply
  7. Jessica

    July 14, 2016 at 2:50 pm

    Looks like tennis blood runs heavily in the family. πŸ™‚ I tried playing tennis four years ago and probably one of the sports I will definitely try to explore more.

    Reply
  8. Hannah

    July 14, 2016 at 12:39 pm

    I used to love playing tennis when I was younger – I wish I could get back into it x

    Reply
  9. Kerry Norris

    July 14, 2016 at 8:38 am

    My daughter is only 3 but she loves to try and play tennis. We’ve never hired a court or anything though. Perhaps we will when she’s a bit older x

    Reply
  10. Helen

    July 13, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    It sounds like it’s going to be a fun weekend and hopefully lots of families will have a go like yours did. I have to admit I’m not a tennis fan so don’t watch it, I wouldn’t mind having a go though!

    Reply
  11. Helen at 2 Adults 3 Children

    July 13, 2016 at 2:43 pm

    I love that you have only just started watching tennis – hope you have got the bug! Great story about your husband’s history with tennis. We are huge Wimbledon fans here – I went 3 times as a teen and would love to go back again one day.

    Reply
  12. Susanna

    July 13, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    I really should get back to tennis.. It’s such a good workout AND fun at the same time!

    Reply
  13. Sarah Bailey

    July 12, 2016 at 11:23 pm

    I used to enjoy playing tennis as a child – it was actually one of the few sports I did enjoy playing – this sounds like a fun weekend of events. x

    Reply
  14. Harriet from Toby & Roo

    July 12, 2016 at 9:45 pm

    I have been putting off the kids having a tennis lesson until I can guarantee they won’t bludgeon each other with the rackets… it’s going to be a while! Great post for a wonderful weekend of tennis πŸ™‚

    Reply
  15. Anosa

    July 12, 2016 at 8:41 pm

    I used to love pretending I was serena williams as a kid playing tennis with my friends. I would love to start playing again

    Reply
  16. Silly Mummy

    July 12, 2016 at 7:04 pm

    Tennis is the one & only sport I like, understand & don’t get bored watching. I haven’t been following it in recent years, though. I’m useless at playing it, which always annoyed me, as it was the only sport I would have liked to be good at. I forgot about short tennis – will have to try that with my kids when they’re older. The events this weekend sound lots of fun, but I suspect that I can’t handle two toddlers together, on my own, playing tennis! (Lucy/R is for Hoppit)

    Reply
  17. Jess

    July 12, 2016 at 6:21 pm

    I had tennis lessons as a child but never really got into it, but I imagine it’s a lovely way to spend some family time!

    Reply
  18. LaaLaa

    July 12, 2016 at 4:36 pm

    I watch Serena or Venus play and thats about all lol. I use to love playing tennis when younger.

    Reply
  19. samantha rickelton

    July 12, 2016 at 4:25 pm

    Tennis Fever has certainly sweeped the nation, esp after Andy Murray’s epic win at the weekend x

    Reply
  20. Claire

    July 12, 2016 at 3:58 pm

    What fun! I’d love to take tennis lessons at some point – perhaps not in the weather we are currently having, though!

    Reply
  21. Mini Travellers

    July 12, 2016 at 3:27 pm

    Love that you called it the finale! It was an amazing final this weekend though wasn’t it! Pretty amazing and should make more of us into tennis players.

    Reply
  22. Californian Mum in London

    July 12, 2016 at 12:14 pm

    I have never watched a Wimbledon match either. And it’s only 10 minutes away from where I live, so I know lots of people who go watch it live. Maybe once I’m more into tennis. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  23. Kate Sutton

    July 12, 2016 at 12:04 pm

    It’s funny how tennis is played by more of us when it’s such a fantastic sport! Glad you got to pick up a racquet (and that you enjoyed it lol!)

    Reply
  24. Whitney Harries

    July 12, 2016 at 11:11 am

    I only ever played tennis in school, which was only a brief introduction to it. But I would love to start getting into it as it sounds like such an interesting sport. Also I haven’t really watched any tennis matches until the Canada vs Scotland match either! xoxo

    Reply
  25. JuggleMum, Nadine Hill

    July 12, 2016 at 10:16 am

    I love your story Elizabeth, how your husband was a table tennis champ and his father was a tennis coach! How interesting – plus your kids seemed to enjoy the game – it’s a nice sport to play a s a family. #GBTW

    Reply
  26. Elanor

    July 12, 2016 at 9:20 am

    I keep meaning to get into a sport at some point, but I never seem to have the time. I’m pretty sure tennis would be the one I’d choose when I eventually get a spare moment! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  27. Stella

    July 12, 2016 at 8:54 am

    I have been following the Wimbledon news. So happy for Serena.

    Reply
  28. Stephen

    July 11, 2016 at 2:27 pm

    I have no hand to eye coordination when it comes to Tennis, crazy golf is more my thing πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  29. CHARLOTTE EVANS

    July 11, 2016 at 2:04 pm

    every year I see the tennis and think ‘oh I should so start playing’ but I never do, it’s so good for you though- think my fitness levels are a little off for it though lol love watching it though! charlotte xx

    Reply
  30. Toni @ Gym Bunny Mummy

    July 11, 2016 at 12:53 pm

    I’m not really a sports fan at all, I love the gym but not sports. However I’m the only female in the house so end up watching more than my fair share!

    Reply

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Adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Loves bikes. Calls Shetland home. Read More…

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