By Tennis EXCO ’24
When people watch a tennis match, they may think tennis is about getting the ball over the net and into the opponent’s side of the court. Just outlast your opponent and you win! Sounds easy, right?
To put it simply, that indeed is how a tennis match goes. But there are so many underlying layers of tennis that make it more than what meets the eye, and these continuously spur our passion for the sport.
Tennis never fails to put our physical ability, decision-making abilities and mental fortitude to the test. No two shots in tennis are the same, there are a million ways to hit a ball, and the most adaptable player wins the match.
Tennis can be likened to chess; in tennis, you’re not just hitting a ball, you’re orchestrating a symphony of tactics with the ultimate end goal of checkmate in mind. Just like a chess player contemplating multiple moves ahead, a tennis player plans each forehand, backhand, and volley—each stroke nothing less than a calculated manoeuvre.
At the highest level, tennis transcends a mere display of physical prowess, transforming into a battle of wits where mental fortitude is just as, if not more, important.
Our training sessions are held twice a week, on Wednesdays from 8-10am; and on Fridays from 5-7pm. They are when we improve our strokes and hone our skills, and entail a good balance of fun and discipline.
A typical training session starts with warm-up: 2 rounds around our 4 tennis courts, and 15 minutes of light hitting. Our coach will then decide on specific drills for us to complete, ranging from rallies, target practice, service, volleys and more.
We move on to matchplay, whereby we get to put our skills into live game action. Almost without fail, we end off our training sessions with our favourite—physical training! Tennis is a literal survival of the fittest.
We are stretched to our limits, and if you happen to walk past the tennis courts at around 7pm, you’ll most probably see us lying down on the floor drenched in sweat.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there! Fridays aren’t just for forehands; they’re also for fantastic feasts! After our intense workout, we typically stay back to eat dinner as a team. It’s the perfect way to bond with our teammates and cap off the week.
Every ball we hit, every drill we do and every lap we sprint culminates in our final goal—the National School Games (NSG). The A-Division NSG Championships take place in April and typically last around 1.5 months.
It brings out our team’s competitiveness and grit, as we fight every point out for the glory of our school. We go through many ups and downs during the season, and this is when our team spirit best shines through.
Our CCA is relatively small, with around 12 members in each batch, and we are very tight-knit, even between batches. In fact, our current Y6 batch is known as KISMA SALSAA! (a term coined by taking the first letter of each of our names)
Not only do we have team meals after training, but we also meet up on regular school days to have study sessions or to just chat.
By joining our team, you’ll be welcomed into a friendly and supportive environment where teamwork and camaraderie flourish. You’ll soon notice a positive transformation in your physical fitness, with fitness becoming an enjoyable part of your weekly routine!
If you are a competitive tennis player with a passion for the sport, we invite you to our trial session. Our experienced teacher and coach will evaluate your skills and fitness level.
So, what are you waiting for? The ball is now in your court, sign up to be part of the Raffles Tennis Family, and we hope to see you with us on the court!
Catch our team in action during the Tennis A-Division NSG Finals 2023:
