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Tennis, Anyone?

A Fun, Fit Sport for Life

By Melissa Granberry

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A Mental Challenge
Not only does tennis keep your body fit, it keeps your brain sharp and focused. "We've noticed that children and teenagers who play tennis have more focus and concentration in other areas of their lives," Dr. Lewis says.

Harloe saysthat tennis not only keeps her mentally challengedbut helps her to relax. "When I'm focusing on the ball, my mind is centered," Harloe says. "I can forget everything else and just enjoy it."

Social Sets
Ask a tennis player what they enjoy most about the sport, and the likely answer will be "socializing." "Playing tennis definitely helps evolve friendships, because you have a bond with that other person,"Ross says. "It also helps when you move to a new area, because every city has tennis players you just have to find them."

Bastian agrees that starting tennis lessons has helped her build new friendships since her move to Houston. "I also love the competition," she says.

This mix of socializing and competition seems to be an irresistible combination. "Some workouts are a chore, but tennis is a fun activity," Dr. Lewis says. "People become hooked on it."

Green says that since tennis is something she loves, she is more inclined to make the time to play. "I wouldn't feel compelled to leave work if I knew I had to go to the gym," Green says. "I would say tennis, more than anything else I do, is more of a lifestyle for me. I find myself planning other activities around my tennis schedule, since it's something I really enjoy."

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