My Tennis Research Paper

My Tennis Experience Tennis has always been a tremendous part of my life. From early morning practices and tournaments, weightlifting and long days traveling to matches with team bonding ice cream trips afterward, I can't imagine what my life would be like without it. The first time I tried out for varsity I was a sophomore, but I didn't make the team. I was discouraged and wondered if my coach even saw my assiduous determination.
“I feel that JV would be a better spot for you this year, Michelle.” Those words spoken haunt me and I thought my tennis career was over after my coach told me that. Going into tryouts my sophomore year, I had the confidence I needed that made me positive I would make the team. It turns out that my sophomore year was one of my best seasons yet, and I have realized that nothing is over until I make it over. This past winter and summer, I trained the hardest I have ever so I could make the team. Although I am so proud of my accomplishments I made throughout the off season, I was terrified that my coach would say the same thing he did last year. Through all of the tears and disappointments, I finally started to see the improvement from my
sophomore season. The closer tryouts came this year, the more confidence I lacked. Making varsity has been my dream ever since I started playing, and one mistake could get my cut from the team once again.
The first day of tryouts I felt the butterflies in my stomach going crazy, so I whispered to myself a quick prayer and instantly felt relieved from stress. The first day I played better than I anticipated I would've. The week continued to go by promptly, and I improved my game day by day. As my coach started making cuts throughout the week, my name never got called.
By Friday, my coach required me to challenge two of my teammates and if I won, I would officially make the team. With the pressure getting to me and feeling anxious that the pressure would mess up how I played against these girls; it is necessary for me to concentrate and play my hardest to achieve my dream. But with the hot sun, the football players practicing, and my internal thoughts as a distraction, the first couple games was a disaster. Giving myself a pep talk as we switched sides of the court, I thought to myself, “Come on Michelle! You've been working too hard for this to give up now. Go out there and play your best and do everything you practiced in the off season!” With that, I found myself playing the best that I have ever played before. As the last point rallied back and forth while I was sweating and my own heartbeat beating as loud as the ball hitting the court, I was thinking to myself, “This is it, make the most of it!” Just as the ball came to me, I went for a cross court volley brushing the line to end the match. I made varsity.
As my coach congratulating all the girls, I still couldn't believe it.
The tough week of tryouts was over. As I was packing up to leave from an exhausting, but rewarding day, my coach approached me explaining his excitement of the upcoming season and how proud he was of me during tryouts.
He exclaimed, “I watched you challenge those two girls, and I almost started tearing up because you played so well!” I replied, “I'm honored Dan. Thanks for letting me have this opportunity.”
The positivity resulting from this past season has outweighed the disappointment I experienced my sophomore year. Waiting for something I have a passion for is so rewarding instead of giving up. I am so proud of my accomplishment and I was able to learn more than hitting a ball over the
net.