Admittedly, I worked as a coach to help pay my way through university but I rarely taught anything more technical than showing beginners how to hold a racket. Not unlike the Tottenham men's football team, 2008 was the last time I had lifted any kind of "trophy". A weak backhand, lazy footwork and an enthusiasm for food were among my downfalls. But it's the taking part that counts, right? And it was in that spirit that, this year, I joined our nearest club, High Legh Tennis Club in Cheshire, near where the M6 meets the M56, and fell back in love with all the quirks of club-level tennis.
Esta historia es de la edición October 14, 2024 de The Guardian.
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Alexander-Arnold magic restores order after chaos
It was precisely what Lee Carsley needed. After the mayhem of the Wembley defeat against Greece on Thursday and the fallout, chiefly the uncertainty around his longer-term role within the England setup, this was a return to the tranquil progress of his first camp in September.
' I don't want players coming off feeling like I did, that's the truth'
Head coach Bellamy speaks of desire to allow 'everybody to show their true talent' as Wales prepare for Montenegro
Roundup Shaw double keeps City top as United extend run
Manchester City remain top of the Women's Super League after two goals from Khadija Shaw helped them to come from behind to secure a 2-1 win against Liverpool.
Newcastle spoil party to aid top-flight case
Visitors look likelier side to give WSL a north-east outpost after win in front of a record Championship crowd
Bouchier blitz takes England to verge of semi-finals
The Battle of Sharjah yesterday was more Culloden than Bannockburn: England romped home as winners by 10 wickets in their World Cup match against Scotland.
GB pay penalty for near-crash as New Zealand tighten their grip
The odds of Britain securing the America's Cup for the first time lengthened a little further yesterday after the New Zealand team established a three-race lead in the first-to-seven, 13-race competition.
England survive Canada scare and secure title
England secured back-to-back WXV1 titles with a 21-12 comeback victory against Canada. It was a 20th successive win for the Red Roses and confirmed them as the favourites for the 2025 Rugby World Cup in August.
Williams flourishes in Chicago's popular win
Bears see off Jaguars and delight crowd in their first UK fixture for five years
All-conquering Wigan look to future after clean sweep
If there is one man who knows a thing or two about building a sporting dynasty, it is Sir Alex Ferguson. To that end, had we known the legendary former Manchester United manager was the one to deliver Wigan Warriors' motivational speech on the eve of the Super League Grand Final, the result would have felt like a formality before a ball had been kicked.
Seeds of success
The moment when a lad half my age sent his second consecutive ace flying past my racket was probably the moment I wondered if it had been a mistake to rekindle my tennis career for the first time in a decade.