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 tennis – I would always think that kids need to be older to try tennis as it seems kinda difficult ! I guess like anything the sooner the better . Look forward to watching Andy win this afternoon #kcacols
I love Wimbledon; I used to camp out for centre court tickets; can’t wait to take Lily there when she’s old enough! Enjoy the LTA weekend. #KCACOLS
Yaaaay I love the tennis, playing it, eating the strawberries and drinking the champagne. It feels like there hasn’t been the same build-up this year so it was great to read this post and get in the mood for today’s match – eeeeeks! Come on Murray! #KCACOLS
I have to admit I am so terrible at tennis I never play, but I do enjoy watching Wimbledon. I sat near a group of women on the train the other day who really irritated me – they disliked Andy Murray an awful lot because ‘he has no personality’. I honestly find this baffling – he’s a tennis player, and looks to be a pretty damn good one from what I can work out – why does he need to be full of ‘personality’ as well (which as far as I can see means slapping a fake grin on your face whenever you talk to the media). Anyway, rant over – go Andy!! #KCACOLS
I have never been much of a tennis lover, but I know many people are and it does have a lot of health benefits as well as being fun for those who enjoy.
Its funny you should mention when Andy Murray won Wimbleton. That was my Wedding day, and many of my guests were caught up in the pub watching it while we were having our photos done! I was not so pleased at that time! But I kind of understand now. (kind of…!). 😉
Amanda. #kcacols
Great photos. I will be signing my children up for lessons when they are a bit bigger. I was absolutely hopeless! #KCACOLS
I used to watch Wimbledon every year. But as time has gone on I have had less and less time to do so.
#KCACOLS
I have such great memories of watching and [trying] to play tennis when I was little! Our whole family enjoyed it together 🙂 Great post and photos! #KCACOLS
I love, love, love that photo of you as a child!! I signed up my son for tennis when he was little but he played tennis like badminton! I think it’s an Asian thing! Most Asian kids I know are just naturally good in badminton.
#KCACOLS
Tennis is the one sport that I could never get into folowing all that closely on television, but it is a great way to get exercise and I look forward to introducing my youngest to the game when she gets a bit older. We have some free courts nearby that we can use #KCACOLS
We played tennis at school but I was never very good. Much preferred football back then but I always watched Wimbledon with my nan that was our tradition when she was still alive. #kcacols
Hi Franca,
My family are really into tennis and my brother is a master performance tennis coach (ie he’s quite good) so we watch quite a lot of tennis. I was thrilled this evening when Cygnet, only 21 months, made it quite clear that he wanted to watch the tennis rather than the football on the TV. Yippeee. Result!
Loads of love Pen x #KCACOLS
He won! 😀 I played tennis at school, just in normal P.E lessons and I loved it. I’ve never been any good at it but I would definitely enjoy attending one of these sessions! #KCACOLS
Aww I love the picture of you playing tennis when you were little. I have to admit, I really don’t understand tennis! #KCACOLS
Glad Murray went on to get the trophy, love a bit of tennis too!! #KCAKOLS
We love tennis here too. To be honest The Hub loves any sport but tennis seems to be a real hit with the kids. The baby lives nothing more than watching the ball fly between them while The Kid just claps when everyone else does and asks if anyone has won yet? Lol When Andy won she asked if he was crying because he thought he lost??!! Kids! It took ages for her to believe us when we told her he cried just coz he was happy!! #KCACOLS
Awe I love that pic of you playing when you were young! I played a little as a child but I have never been great at it. My dad actually got the chance to play at The Australian Open last year they wanted to showcase a 68 year old playing against a 16 year old to show that tennis is for any age. My dad has always played and plays a few times a week. It was amazing to take all the family and watch him we were so proud. He only just lost which was an awesome effort. He is 70 in a few months and still going strong.
I’ve never really been a fan of tennis but I’m sure as a family you will have a great session! It’s always nice to spend the day as a family doing something you can all enjoy! #kcacols
Aww what a cute photo of you! I never really played as a child but Mr H did and had lessons too! What a great game to watch yesterday too – I bet you were glued to your seat! #KCACOLS
I have never really ‘got’ tennis if Im honest.. I mean I know how its played etc and I do understand it, Its just not a sport for me unfortunately! Although to be fair, I have caught myself watching more and more of wimbledon this year, Ive had it on in the background a lot, and I did have it on yesterday when Andy won, but I was dozing on the settee (hangover) and so missed the actual moment lol …. The girls have played it with school and stuff, and they seem to enjoy it, although it hasn’t been requested as a club yet. so cute that your daughter knows who Andy is and says “come on Andy!” that is adorable! Nice pic of 6 year old you too 🙂 #kcacols
It’s great that you are encouraging your children to love tennis as much as you do. You are right, children definitely follow their parents’ examples. In my house it’s football and skiing! #KCACOLS
I used to love playing tennis when I was at school, and I was a member of the local (sadly now defunct) tennis club. Both of the boys watched Andy win the final on Sunday, and although they don’t really get it yet, I hope they will in the years to come and we can all watch – and hopefully even play – as a family! #KCACOLS
I love the photo of you playing as a child, how cute your daughter now play too. xx
I do love Tennis. I have always enjoyed watching the Williams sisters win all the grand slams. I actually live across the road from a Tennis club and its great to sit on the banks and watch the Tennis on a sunny day.
#KCACOLS
Love this! My kids seem to watching tennis too, which is odd as they only play rarely at school and I don’t play. I must rectify that!! Wimbledon is magic. I saw Pete Sampras there back in the day. Now THAT ages me. 🙂 Thanks for lovely post. #kcacols