Hola chicos, everyone who knows me will know that I love tennis. I love this sport so much which is why it is the only one I really follow. Since settling in the UK, Wimbledon has become my favourite tournament and the one that I look forward to the start of each year. We are now in the second week of this years Wimbledon and I have been glued to the TV watching lots of matches. This is actually very interesting because since I started blogging a year ago I have pretty much given up watching TV. When it comes to tennis though, I can never stop watching! 🙂
Tennis is a great sport because it helps you with aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, ability to accelerate, powerful first step, speed, leg strength, general body coordination, gross motor control, fine motor control, agility, dynamic balance, cross-training, bone strength and density, immune system, nutritional habits, eye-hand coordination and flexibility. How fantastic is that? There are so many benifits! 🙂
Me playing tennis when I was 6 years old
Since I was young tennis has been a sport that I have really enjoyed! I had some private lessons and as well as lessons at my school. Yes we were lucky to have a tennis court there, which was amazing! I maintained my love of tennis whilst I was at university, taking more lessons. It was great just practicing this sport and although I was never close to it being something I would do professionally, it was just nice to be able to play. When I moved to Europe (First Madrid, then London) I was keen to take my Wilson Tennis Racquet because I wanted to make sure I was going to be able to keep practicing this lovely sport.
Bella watching tennis when she was 1 year old
I have tried to make watching Wimbledon a tradition at home. I guess because I like it so much so Nick and the girls must watch it by default, LOL! It is true that if your kids watch you being so passionate about a sport it is very likely that they will also love it. I taught Bella to say “Come On Andy Murray” when he is playing, lol. She knows very well who is he and what to say. It is so cute to watch her doing that.
Photo taken by EDDIE MULHOLLAND for the Telegraph
We love Andy and I have always supported him. When he won Wimbledon for the first time in 2013, we were so happy for him. It was just the most amazing day for the whole country. I also loved when he won at the Olympics. What a special moment that was too. I think I cried on both occasions. Right now he is playing in the second week of Wimbledon. Djokovic is now out and it brings more hope that Andy could win Wimbledon again! I don’t know what will happen but we will be watching for sure! Fingers crossed he can win! 🙂
Since living in the UK I have not had the chance to play as much tennis as I used to, which is a shame. Unfortunately, time hasn’t allowed me that. I want my girls to love tennis like mummy. I did put Bella in some private lessons when she was little which were organised by her nursery. She really enjoyed it and understood what she needed to do. I though it was fantastic.
The thing is that all those lessons that I have had and that Bella had were private lessons and sometimes this is not always possible to afford. Thanks to the British Lawn Tennis Association who are hosting the Great British Tennis Weekend #GBTW, you can take your whole family to free sessions to enjoy some quality time playing tennis with your family. Thousands of free events will be taking place throughout the summer all across the country, with sessions to suit the whole family. There are Highland Spring Mini Tennis sessions, family time, free play, Cardio Tennis and numerous other kinds of activities to get involved in.
They will provide rackets and balls, so whether you’ve never picked up a racket before or you’re a seasoned regular there is fun for all! Weekends will take place throughout the summer, but will mainly be between 16th-17th July.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
We have already booked our family session which we are really looking forward to. You can also book a session at your local tennis club and it’s completely free. If you would like to sign up for your free session, you can sign up HERE to find a session near you.
Do you like tennis? Do you play regularly or occasionally? Have you had lessons in the past? Have you heard of The Great British Tennis Weekend #GBTW? Will you be taking up the offer of free sessions for you and your family? What do you think of this idea? Please leave a comment below as I would love to read what you think.
*Disclosure: I’m working with the Lawn Tennis Association on their #GBTW campaign. Sign up for your FREE tennis activity here
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
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I love all your ‘kiddie’ tennis shots from you as a child to your own daughter playing at school! I always played at school too and we had a tennis court at high school, but I stopped playing for fun when I went to Uni! It sounds like you are making a great start to getting into tennis again – good for you! Enjoy your #GBTW session.
What great inspiration for trying tennis with all those health benefits and lots of fun to be had. x
I just love the shot of you playing tennis when you were 6 – very sweet!
Love the shot of you as a child playing tennis. I wish I had one of me – I used to play endlessly.
I love watching with my son. He really gets into it. He loves Andy Murray too. #GBTW
I ADORE that photo of you as a child!! How fab to have that! Tennis is the only sport I am ever happy to watch too! x
That’s a wonderful initiative from the British Lawn Tennis Association! Thank you so much for sharing this. It sounds like great family fun, going out there and playing the game all together. Tennis really is in full swing these days thanks to Wimbledon.
I got into tennis playing short tennis – smaller court and a squidgy ball that you could whack without it disappearing into the bushes next to the court. I wonder if you can still play it? It’s a great way of getting the kids involved #KCACOLS
I’ve never really played, but I’ve always loved tennis dresses! I used to have quite a few, which would raise eyebrows when I had to admit I hadn’t picked up a racket since I was about 12. xD #FridayFrivolity
#KCACOLS even! (luckily the first post after switching commenting hats today!!)
I will definitely be cheering Andy on on Sunday! I used to play tennis at school, but haven’t played for years. My oldest boy (4) has recently started expressing an interest in playing, so I will see if there are any free sessions I can take him to – thanks!
#KCACOLS
It was so brilliant when he won Wimbledon! I have linked up a post about our Tefal day, can’t wait to get the cooker!
Xx #KCACOLS
THats such a cute photo of you playing tennis when you were younger! I’ve never been much into competitive sport – I don’t like the person it turns me into – but yesterday my husband and I had a game together at our local David Lloyd because Wimbledon fever has gotten into me (and because he’s playing a tournament amongst friends tomorrow and I want him to win so he needed to practise his serve) (see – can you tell how competitive I am, it’s ridiculous!) Anyways, today my arms and wrists are killing – I think I’ll just stick to drinking pims and watching it on the TV! #KCACOLS
I love watching Wimbledon, unfortunately the rest of my family aren’t so keen. I used to love playing tennis in school and would love to take the kids to play tennis sometime x #KCACOLS
I don’t like tennis but you look so cute! And you daughter too. Enjoy it on TV #KCACOLS
Look at you all cute with your tennis racket! I had a spell of lessons a couple of years ago – I’d never really played before and I enjoyed it but I was pretty rubbish I have to say. Lily has mentioned a passing interest so I would quite like to hook her up with some lessons and will certainly check this out. I love to see kids play. Enjoy the final! #KCACOLS
I love the photos and how your littlest is also learning to play. I can’t okay for toffee (whatever that saying means!) and haven’t a clue. I do like pimms and strawberries though if that counts? Thanks for hosting as ever #kcacols
The free lesson scheme is brilliant and I hope it’s still running when my eldest is slightly older. We love tennis in this house although we can only half heartedly cheer Andy on as we’re Roger adorers at heart! Hope we can go one day. #KCACOLS
What fab photos of you all. I used to love Tennis when I was younger I should really dig out my old racket seeing as it’s Wimbledon! #KCACOLS
You are so adorable!!! Love that photo. I used to play tennis all the time when I was younger, I did not take lessons. I took the kids to the court last summer it was funny to watch them chase the ball. Thank you for sharing #KCACOLS
I love tennis too but haven’t had a chance to watch much of Wimbledon this year. I’m not very good at it but had a few lessons about 5 years ago and really got into it. I think the sooner you can introduce your kids to all kinds of sports, the more of a chance they have of finding something they love and can keep at for life. Totally love Bella’s first tennis outfit when she was one BTW – how cute! Who knows, she may be a future tennis champ. In the meantime, I just hope she enjoys it and it builds her confidence. #KCACOLS
Great your little girl is enjoying it too. One of the highlights of BML for me was having a good practise session with LTA. OK the ball was big and softer than the usual ones (no broken windows!) but felt a bit like Serena for 10 minutes. Thanks for reminding me, I’m going to look up some classes for my son later. Jo x #KCACOLS
Hi there, those pictures are very adorable. Having some coordination issues due to Dyspraxia I never got into tennis myself but I do remember sitting at home with my parents what tennis when I was little. Growing up in Germany the highlights of the sporting year always were the end of the football season and any international tournaments and Wimbledon. Seeing Boris & Steffi play tennis are some of my fondest memories of that sport. It is just not the same these days. Although Andy Murray does come pretty close. #KCACOLS
It’s great that there are companies like this to help children play tennis for free, there was never this when I was younger. I think it also helps children develop their team sports skills. I was never one for a team sport, more of a runner, and maybe that’s why. Here’s to hoping for a Murray win this afternoon! Thanks so much for hosting Franca X #KCACOLS
I love tennis too – always have done. I loved seeing that photo of you when you were younger, as it brought back memories of the holiday tennis clubs I went to. I shall be watching the final today and, like you, shouting for Murray. The GBTW scheme sounds brilliant – thanks for all the info. Alison x #KCACOLS
Tennis is such a spectator friendly sport, I really enjoy watching wimbeldon, looks like such a nice atmosphere, I would love to go one day! #KCACOLS