Am I Too Old to Start Tennis?

In my work, I’ve often heard people contemplating learning something later in life ask, “Am I too old to take this up?”

But I think there may be another question underneath that one:

“Have I missed my chance?”

I’m the type of person who believes that if you feel genuinely pulled toward an activity, there is probably a reason for that curiosity. You may not yet know exactly what your participation will look like, but the desire to explore something can be worth listening to.

Of course, when that new activity is physical, it’s also important to be responsible about how you begin. If you have concerns about your health, an existing condition or injury, or whether a new exercise program is appropriate for you, talk with your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional first. The goal is for a new activity to help you become healthier—not to aggravate something that is already going on.

But taking up tennis doesn’t mean you have to play singles every day or push yourself beyond what feels appropriate for your body. You may eventually love singles. You may discover that doubles is more your speed. You may simply enjoy lessons, clinics, or hitting with a friend.

Your tennis journey gets to look like your tennis journey.

And while your healthcare provider can help you understand what is medically appropriate for you, your body also gives you valuable information. Pay attention to it. Learn the difference between the normal challenge of doing something new and the signals that tell you it’s time to rest, modify, or slow down.

I think there is tremendous joy in discovering that we can still learn something new and grow in unexpected ways at any age. There is a beauty in being willing to become a beginner again.

Are you willing to embrace a beginner’s mindset? Can you allow yourself to be in a developmental stage with a new hobby for a while? Do you enjoy lifelong learning?

Gardeners will understand this particularly well.

When you plant a seed, you don’t expect a mature plant the next morning. First it germinates. Then comes the tiny seedling. Eventually it develops stronger roots, grows taller, and becomes more established.

Learning a new skill works much the same way.

Growth takes patience, and it’s important to extend that patience to ourselves as well. Aside from the right shoes, a racquet, and some water, patience may be one of the most important things you can bring to your first tennis lesson—or, frankly, to any new endeavor.

And if patience isn’t exactly your strong suit, tennis will provide quite a classroom in which to develop some!

As an instructor, my job is to help you nourish that seedling while also teaching you how to nourish it yourself. Just as importantly, my job is to meet you where you are.

If you haven’t been active for a while, you shouldn’t walk onto the court expecting someone to fire a barrage of balls at you and demand that you reach every one. A good beginning should give you an opportunity to learn, move, build confidence, and gradually discover what your body can do.

You also don’t have to be in perfect shape before you begin playing tennis.

You can be perfectly out of shape and begin.

I know, because when I started taking tennis lessons seriously as an adult, “in shape” was definitely not something I was!

Tennis became one of the vehicles that helped me become healthier and stronger over time. It also brought me into a community, introduced me to new people, got me outdoors, challenged me mentally and physically, and ultimately gave me far more than I ever expected when I first picked up a racquet.

That is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about helping interested adults find their own way into the sport. I know firsthand that you don’t necessarily have to transform yourself first and then begin. Sometimes beginning is part of the transformation.

So perhaps the real question isn’t:

“Am I too old?”

Maybe the questions are:

Am I willing to challenge myself with something new?

Am I willing to learn?

Am I willing to be patient with myself while I learn?

If you can find some pleasure in the process—not only in where you hope to end up—I think you may discover that learning tennis can become a pretty wonderful journey.

And you may be surprised by just how much can grow from one little seed.