Sports

Tennis, Anyone?

“To see good tennis, what divine joy
Can fill our leisure, or our minds employ?
Let other people play at other things,
The King of games is still the game of Kings”
--J.K.Stephen.

By Catherine Krantz

Tennis – Sport for Life
Tennis is often referred to as a “Sport for Life,” because children can play tennis from as early an age as they have the strength and coordination to swing a racquet and can continue to enjoy the sport throughout their entire lives. Research also suggests playing tennis can actually prolong life, from the physical and mental exercise to the social benefit, tennis is thought to contribute highly to longevity.

Tennis – History
No one is quite sure of the exact origins of tennis. Some believe that the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans played a game that was an ancestor to tennis but no proof of this pre-tennis game has been discovered. This theory cites the name of the Egyptian town of Tinnis, along the Nile as where the name tennis is derived from, and also speculates the Arabic word for palm of the hand, rahat, is where the term, racquet, evolved from. Beyond these two words, there is not much evidence of tennis before the year 1000 and most historians credit the first origins of the game to 11th or 12th century French monks, who would string a rope across a courtyard and play a crude version of handball against the monastery walls. The French called this game, jeu de paume, which means “game of the hand,” and in French the word Tenez, means “take this,” and was said as one player would serve to another. The game grew in popularity and moved inside from the courtyards to indoor courts, but the ball was still played off the walls (now referred to as Real Tennis.) Rubber balls had not been invented so often times hair, wool or cork was wrapped in cloth or leather, evolving to resemble the sewn look of a modern baseball. Hand ball evolved to hand ball using gloves, then webbed gloves, then paddles then finally racquets (—then onto the high science of racquets we have today). Tennis became a popular game at court among the nobility, and in the 13th century it was reported as many as 1800 tennis courts existed. It caught on so well, the Pope and even Louis IV tried to put a stop it. From France it spread to England, where both Henry VII and Henry VIII were avid players. Lawn Tennis, what we think of as tennis today, was born in 1874, and was played on an open marked surface without walls. Hugely popular it has spread all across the globe.

Modern Tennis
Modern tennis is now a very lucrative professional sport played by highly conditioned athletes for millions of dollars. From powerful high tech racquets to the powerful high tech athletes that wield them, the tennis we have today has come a long way from its quiet beginnings, becoming a game of great speed and power enjoyed by participants and audience members around the world.

Tennis in Paradise
If you wish to start or continue your love with the game of tennis, there are plenty of modern courts and facilities to play at in Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa, with tennis professionals to help improve your game.

Tennis in Ixtapa
The most accessible tennis courts in Ixtapa are the open to the public Palma Real Golf & Tennis Club on the Ixtapa Boulevard. Palma Real - Tel: (755) 55 31163, email: palmarealixtapa@hotmail.com. Almost all the hotels in Ixtapa have tennis courts with private lessons available all year as well, you can contact the concierges for more information.

Tennis in Zihuatanejo
The only two courts in Zihuatanejo are at the luxurious Hotel Villa Del Sol.
The tennis program is directed by Andy Smith from Scotland, a former tour player who instructs high quality lessons.

Andy Smith – Tennis Professional
Andy first arrived here in paradise in 1995 running the tennis program at the award winning Hotel Villa Del Sol on La Ropa beach. Andy now lives in Zihuatanejo year round and often wonders how he arrived here from Scotland. “I grew up in a small highland fishing town on the west coast of Scotland called Oban, similar to Zihuatanejo in its small bay style geography…apart from the weather,” says Smith, “On the day I left home, my father gave me one piece of advice, and that was to live in a better climate.” (Locals joke, summer in Oban is the middle weekend in August.) After working in Cannes, in the south of France as private tennis coach to an Arab Sheikh, in Ontario, Canada as Head Tennis Professional running the tennis program at a top rated tennis resort, and training at the famous John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in Texas, USA, Smith finally arrived at Hotel Villa Del Sol in sunny Zihuatanejo. “I love Zihuatanejo,” says Smith, “the warm friendly people and the fun, personal nature of our tennis program here at Hotel Villa Del Sol. After catering to guests’ tennis needs I join them at the hotels beachfront bars and restaurants for dinner and a few famous margaritas. We regularly discuss their tennis games and I might even wear my kilt. This has become a popular request by many clients, who return for their annual tennis tune up! The end of my day regularly consists of a daily match with Owner/Director Helmut Leins, who as an avid player puts the same passion into his tennis as he does his world class hotel.”

Tennis Program – Hotel Villa Del Sol
Tennis Director Andy runs a fun, personal tennis program consisting of private and semi-private with technique and video analysis for all levels of play. For hotel guests Andy will also be happy to book you a court, arrange you a game and set up specific tennis programs and packages for groups or individuals. Please note tennis courts and private lessons are also available to visitors, but may be restricted to only hotel guests at peak times. (Tennis shoes and sports attire required.) For more information or reservations Tel: (755) 55 55500 Email: tennispro@hotelvilladelsol.net
Website www.hotelvilladelsol.net

Tennis Tip - Forehand (knuckles up) If you finish your swing with your knuckles pointing up to the sky, you will finish your follow through, keep the ball down and add a little topspin to the ball.

Previous | Next