Page 66 - Tennis Magazine April 2019

It doesn’t take much to play tennis—a racquet, a ball, a court and
an opponent—but the sport gives back plenty: physical exercise,
mental stimulation and a way to relieve stress. From baby boomers to
millenials, the game is truly the sport of a lifetime, and of generations.

Kamperman says. “We feel like we years about the dangers of contact Now that’s he’s back on the
can use that as a way to get them to sports like football and hockey, and courts, Lipton brings his 5-year-old
take the next step and try tennis.” even soccer with its headers. daughter, Ora Luz, along with him.
And what about young people? “Health and safety are bigger “I’ve given her a few lessons and
For decades, tennis has battled issues for young athletes and their she’s loved them,” he says. “My goal
sports and fads from soccer to parents than they’ve ever been is to expose her to a bunch of differ-
Fortnite in its search for a way to before, and we think tennis is posi- ent things and see where her loves
draw in children. Will the prospect tioned to take advantage of that.” and aptitudes are.
of a longer, healthier life swinging “Tennis is on that list because it’s
a tennis racquet have an appeal to For Lipton, tennis has been the a sport where a kid can learn disci-
the multi-tasking, hyper-scheduled perfect activity to rediscover at 50, pline, how to lose and how to win,
youth of today? and potentially to pass along. and get in the habit of being in good
“We think that millennial parents “My dad always said tennis was a physical condition. That it might also
will be an asset,” Kamperman says. great sport to age with,” he says. “I help you live longer only reinforces
“These longevity studies dovetail took 30 years off and returned in no those positive aspects.”
with what we’ve all been hearing for small part because of that advice.” If nothing else, these longevity
studies are a timely reminder of
tennis’ positive effects on our lives:
The circumscribed competition the longer we play, the longer we may

live, and the longer we live, the longer
we get from tennis allows us to we get to play tennis.
escape from the real competition If that can’t convince someone
to pick up racquet, it’s hard to know
we face in our day-to-day lives. what can.

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