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TENNIS IS A GREAT SPORT FOR SENIORS FITNESS: Perhaps the most significant reason tennis is a great sport for older Americans is because you can scale just how intense you play it. Tennis is a game where technique is as important as, if not more important than, physique. A sufficiently skilled player can outclass a more athletic one. This allows less-fit people to enjoy a perfectly competitive match of tennis without feeling left behind. That's not to say athleticism isn't part of the game. If you're physically fit enough, you and your opponent can go full pelt, sprinting around the court like you're at Wimbledon. But the point is, tennis doesn't need to be played at that speed to be enjoyable. If you're not physically up for pro-speed tennis, then you can slow down and focus more on volleying the ball back and forth. In this way, tennis almost becomes a team sport, seeing how long you and your partner can keep a rally going. If you're alone, you can even play against yourself, hitting the ball against a wall, utilizing a tennis ball machine, or practicing your serve. If you have three friends who might be up for playing a match with you, you could always play doubles! You won't have to cover as much area of the court, and it's a great way to enjoy some friendly competition. HEALTH BENEFITS OF TENNIS: For many seniors, tennis is a great way to achieve and maintain fitness and offers them many health benefits. One review of academic research into tennis' effect on seniors found that veteran tennis players displayed high aerobic capacity, greater bone density in specific areas, lower body fat, and more strength. Another study found that playing tennis might increase your life expectancy by nearly 10 years! Tennis also can influence your general health. Playing tennis gets you active and helps you lose weight, which can lower your chances of heart disease. At the same time, it keeps your mind active, which is a great way to stay mentally sharp. It can also help you avoid feeling socially isolated and enjoy the benefits of friendship. For beginners and experienced players alike, tennis lessons are a great way to play tennis and improve your technique. Most instructors can rework their lessons based on the skill of their student, with higher-level lessons becoming more of a practice match with tips and pointers mixed in. From the Nixon Business, Specializing in the Senior Market, 2021. ~ Shirley Ferguson TENNIS TITANS Bill Torricelli, Terrie Garcia, Emile Pinaud, Cindy Bice, Carol Mee, and Diane Gell Beverly Crowe, Barbara Boutwell, Emile Pinaud, Richard Ferguson, Shirley Ferguson and Glenn Bradd | LIFE IN SOLERA | AUGUST 2022 | 41