Everyday Athletes: Jason on Tennis

Welcome to the fifth edition of the "Everyday Athlete" series where we will interview rec athletes about their favorite sports. The athletes interviewed participate in a variety of sports, across a wide spectrum of skill levels and are located all over the country. None of the athletes interviewed are professionals and mainly compete in their sports or events at nights or on the weekends. It is the purpose of this series to show that anyone can get out, play sports and keep sporting, regardless of age, athletic ability, or life activities.

If you would like to be the subject of an upcoming "Everyday Athlete" segment, please feel free to Contact Us.

1. NAME: Jason

2. LOCATION: Miami, FL

3. SPORT YOU PARTICIPATE IN: Tennis

4. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING TENNIS? 20 years

5. IF YOU HAVE BEEN PLAYING SINCE YOU WERE A YOUTH, DO YOU HAVE MORE FUN NOW OR BACK THEN? WHY? I have much more fun now because as a teenager I took tennis way too seriously. I was really hard on myself when I played poorly. Now that my free time is limited, I truly appreciate every opportunity I get to play.

6. ON A SCALE OF 1-10, RATE YOUR ABILITIES. 8

7. HOW MANY TIMES A WEEK (OR MONTH) DO YOU PLAY? 3-4 times a month

8. WHAT GOT YOU STARTED PLAYING TENNIS? My parents enrolled me in pee-wee tennis and I loved it.

9. WHAT KEEPS YOU PLAYING? The pure love of the game and the health benefits.

10. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT ON THE COURT? As a teenager-going undefeated in league play with my doubles partner (1993). As an adult-staying injury-free, relatively.

11. HAVE YOU PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST ANYONE FAMOUS? WHO? AND WHO WON THE GAME? I played (NBA Player) Michael Redd twice in high school. I beat him in doubles play my soph. year, and lost a heartbreaker to him in singles 2 years later.

12. ANY GOOD INJURY STORIES? None, knock-on-wood…

13. DO YOU PLAY IN AN ORGANIZED LEAGUE OR GENERALLY PLAY PICK UP? I play with friends and my fiancé.

14. APPROXIMATELY HOW MUCH DOES IT COST YOU PER YEAR TO PLAY TENNIS? Less than $100. The courts are free, the balls are cheap, and I buy a new racket once every 5-7 years.

15. DO YOU PLAY YEAR ROUND? INDOOR AND OUTDOOR? Year round, outdoor.

16. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND PLAYING TENNIS TO YOUTH LOOKING TO PICK UP A SPORT? WHY? It's fun, inexpensive.

17. WHAT ABOUT ADULTS LOOKING FOR A NEW SPORT? WHY? It's great for adults because the basics are somewhat easy to grasp I addition to the health benefits.

18. ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE JUST STARTING TO PLAY? Be patient. Don't worry about hitting with power and accuracy until you have learned good form and proper hitting techniques.

19. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD? No matter what sport you choose, have fun!!!

Thanks for the interview jason! And remember, if you would like to be a feature of an "Everyday Athlete" segment, Contact Us.

Keep sporting!
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