I Was Terrible at Sports Until My Child Inspired Me

As I watched my son skillfully dribble the basketball and sink shot after shot, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of pride and envy. With no one else around to play with, I decided to join him on the court, despite my lack of basketball skills. After he skillfully intercepted the ball from me about 95 times, I burst into laughter and surrendered. “Don’t ever give up, Mom!” he cheered. “Even if it seems like you’ll never win.”

That spirit wasn’t something I taught him; he learned it from sports.

To put it mildly, I was not a natural athlete as a child. Gym class was a nightmare, and while I dabbled in gymnastics, I never really engaged in team sports. My one attempt at baseball ended in hilarity when I ran the wrong way after hitting the ball. As an adult, my fitness journey included yoga, but organized sports were never on my radar.

In contrast, my son is an innate athlete. He excels in soccer, baseball, basketball, football — you name it. My husband and I often wonder where his talent comes from. I’ve become that mom who attends all his games and shops for specialized gear at places like Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Then tennis entered our lives, thanks to the pandemic. In the summer after COVID-19 hit, we found a local tennis camp that followed safety protocols, and he loved it. He wanted to practice even outside of camp hours.

I dug out an old tennis racket from our garage and took him to the public tennis courts. Initially, I just wanted to keep him entertained and away from screens. But he began coaching me on my form, and to my surprise, I found myself enjoying the game.

Many of my son’s friends and their parents also played tennis, which helped me become more intentional about playing. I often paired up with my son, or he’d play with a friend while I engaged with their parent.

Eventually, my husband and son gifted me a better racket — one that was actually newer than my kid. I enrolled in tennis lessons at our local recreation center, where the instructor, who had a vibe reminiscent of a 1980s gym coach, was surprisingly encouraging. I was getting fresh air, exercise, and social interaction all at once. I even made a new friend in my tennis class — a woman who had recently moved to town, shared my background, and had a daughter in my son’s class. Without tennis, I might never have connected with her. I started to feel physically better than I had in months, maybe even years. It turns out, regular practice doesn’t usually result in decline.

I was astonished. Was everyone right about the benefits of exercise and sports?

“You’ve actually improved,” one of my friends remarked during a match. “Maybe you have some athletic potential.” That was a first for me! While I may never reach the level of Venus or Serena Williams, I’ve signed up for another series of lessons and can’t wait to hit the courts this spring.

In tennis (and other sports), it’s crucial to keep your eye on the ball, but more importantly, to maintain the right mindset. So if you feel like you lack athletic ability, remember what my son told me: Don’t ever give up, even when victory seems unattainable.

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I transitioned from being the last pick in gym class to enjoying tennis with my son, inspired by his athletic spirit. Through practice and encouragement, I discovered the benefits of exercise and community, proving that it’s never too late to embrace sports and the joy they can bring.

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