Tennis is an incredible sport which lately has been growing in popularity in our society. However, many people still don’t know the many positive and negative impacts this sport has on the players’ holistic health, mental and physical.

Tennis demands both mental and physical strength, offering players relief or pressure and affecting mental health positively and negatively. The sport’s physical demands can lead to injuries or improved fitness. Discipline is crucial, but players must always consider the risks to their overall well-being, as well as the benefits when playing this recognized sport.

“When I have a really bad day, I have my tennis class, and I always have the chance to relieve all of my stress,” Sara Velez, a 9th-grade student, said.

Over time, tennis has become much more than just a sport for Velez, more than a way to relieve her stress, it has evolved into an essential part of her daily routine, giving her physical and emotional stability.

“Now, if I don’t have tennis class, I do feel like something is missing because like I told you before, it’s kind of my therapy, like my safe place where I can express myself and where I can release frustration,” Velez said.

In the same way, tennis has become an essential part of Velez’s life, allowing her stability and emotional relief. Isabela Ostos, a Vermont School Student and another young tennis player, also reflects on how her growing commitment to this sport has strengthened her discipline even beyond the court.

“The more I come into class, the more constant I have become in the last years with this sport, my discipline has gotten better, not only for tennis but for other activities,” Ostos said.

Ostos highlights how tennis creates personal discipline and growth, however, there are many more benefits. This sport also enhances physical fitness, longevity, and overall well-being.

“Tennis is a remarkable example of a sport that promotes physical fitness and competitive spirit and contributes significantly to lifespan extension, health span improvement, and overall quality of life,” Tennis Nova Scotia said.

Even though tennis offers numerous health benefits like improved physical condition, as stated in this quote, it still has its challenges. As in this next quote, Velez says the physical demands of this sport can have a greater impact on the body, leading to injuries over time.

“Playing tennis also has its negative impacts. For example, my knee has suffered some damage from this game,” Velez said.

The physical demands of the sport can lead to different injuries from tennis elbow to the knee, just like Velez, but there are not only physical demands that play an important part in this sport but mental challenges as well. Tsitsipas, a recognized professional tennis player, shares with the public how he struggled with burnout, losing the joy he once found in the game until he rediscovered his passion.

He talks about his darkest time playing tennis and how he felt burned out by the sport. He didn’t enjoy playing anymore, and what was his biggest joy when he was a kid had now become a nightmare. Thankfully, he overcame this by once again finding pleasure in the “smallest things like just hitting the ball,” and once again felt tennis was his safe space.