It's never too late to take up tennis

W. Red Wilder, Jacksonville, Ala., and son Mark Wilder, Oxford, Miss., take the allowed 90-second break when changing sides during the USTA National Senior 70s Father-Son Clay Court Tennis Championships at The Meadows Racquet Club in Sarasota, Fla., in November. Their opponents were Stanley Quade and his son, Eric Quade, of Newport Beach, Calif. The Quades won the match, 7-6, 1-6, 7-5. Photo: Ken Stewart

Statistics say that 65 percent of Americans are overweight. In a competitive tennis match you will burn 1,270 calories in two hours while getting a complete body workout and at the same time improving a skill that becomes more enjoyable as you improve your game. It is also a great way to meet new people wherever you go.

Regardless of age, the best time is NOW to get a friend, start going to the courts on a regular basis and work out. Most retirement areas have soft tennis courts which allow residents to have a daily tennis regimen that will not be hard on the joints and legs. There are USTA-sanctioned tournaments all over the country in 5-year increments up to age 95 and over. Team and league tennis are the fastest growing USTA programs for the camaraderie they provide as well as for the exercise.

Best of all, tennis is a means to help fight off obesity, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and cancer. Wheelchair tennis is a very popular physical therapy for paraplegics and active people who have mobility disabilities.

If, by the grace of a loving God, you are still able to be physically active, START PLAYING TENNIS! You can burn calories, stay slim, stay healthy, live longer and be happier!