Most instructors, like me when I first started teaching, strive to make their students champions, ranked, etc. However, the longer I taught the less this became important. Now, I realize just how few of my students achieve these heights in tennis. Ninety-five percent of my students do not achieve these heights. Does that make them less important? No, I do not think so.

What I try to instill in all my students is:

• Have fun
• Learn good form and control
• Be fair and competitive
• Stay in shape
• Play tennis for a lifetime.

I am teaching the children of the kids I taught years ago. These parents are still playing the game for the long run. Many of the top players I taught did not continue playing the game.

Incorporating tennis into your life is an excellent way to cross-train and maintains your physical prowess. I have seen many of my students continue to play, get better and become more competitive after they lay off tennis while attending college or getting married. I get a "big kick" out of seeing a beginner go to that first tournament or a great player winning an important tournament.

Not too many other sports can allow this to happen. Remember, tennis is the sport of a lifetime!

Good luck on the courts!