Tennis and the Black Middle Class
 

Keep in mind that I have done no research into this yet.

I've been noticing a lot of older black people play tennis. A few of the more established, retired men in my chapter, and a couple of random Sorors that I happen to know.

Is tennis the new golf?

Am I making any sense?

Or is this just a DC thing?

Re: Tennis and the Black Middle Class
 

I know several blacks (young and old) that play tennis. When Mr Toocute worked at Black Enterprise we went to the Golf and Tennis classic a few years. Nothing new to me and I'm in the NY/NJ area.

BTW: your Frat Brother, fellow Howard Alum :D and former NYC mayor David Dinkins is an avid tennis player.

Tradition
 

I have a feeling that tennis has always been a tradition among some of us in the black middle class. Remember, Ivy Beyond the Wall Althea Gibson came on the scene in the late 1950s.

I'd like to learn to play. I attempted to play when I was in high school, but I was sort of scared of being hit by a ball. Maybe it would help me get into better shape.
;)

I loved tennis. I remember my uncle and cousins playing tennis all the time.

I had 2 years of tennis in high school as my PE in 88 and 89. I was too chicken to take the last class to receive my "letter". I THOUGHT I would automatically be placed on the tennis team. I chose to "letter" in piano instead. :D

I used to play tennis all the time. My grandmother signed me up for lessons, so I was an okay player. I actually enjoyed it once I got the hang of it.

Tennis, I think, has always been the providence of middle class black folks, more so than golf since gold usually required a membership to a country club that wouldn't let us in. I know that many communities don't have public golf courses, but most cities have public tennis courts, including some apartment complexes.

My mother played tennis when I was young (although most of the friends she played with were not black) so I assumed that tennis was a sport that anyone played. I took tennis lessons off and on and even played (poorly, very poorly) on the tennis team my last year of HS. I also played recreationally in college. My goal is to play again starting this spring (bought a nice raquet last year).

I love it because it's one of those sports you can tailor to your individual fitness level, so that makes it a life-long sport.

Re: Tennis and the Black Middle Class
 

My all Black high school had a tennis team--you could letter in it. Arthur Ashe moved to St. Louis so he could play tennis all year round and not be barred from indoor courts because he was Black. He graduated from my high school and our tennis coach was his personal coach.

I have always played tennis, although not very good.

By the way, that tennis coach was also the uncle of the Hudlin brothers (House Party, Boomerang, etc.) ;)

I think tennis has always been around in the African American community. In 1917 the first African American female to ever win a national championship (in any sport) won playing tennis. Its just that with all the hype around basketball, football, etc. many African Americans lost focus on the sport until the Williams sisters.

Re: Re: Tennis and the Black Middle Class
 

co-sign. Whenever someone wants to play, I'm willing to blow the dust off of my racket, but I've never been the strongest player. I learned b/c my dad needed to play with a client for biz development, so he drafted me as his practice partner on the weekends:D . Now he has more clients who golf, so my game's a little rusty.

Well, My father played tennis in the late 50s through 70s. he was quite good and won local matches in the bay area. my siblings and i learned tennis by default. my brother however is the more skilled player. but i certainly can tell you about re-stringing a racket, tennis elbow and had quite the eye when it came to the tennis apparel ...

i believe tennis in the 50s (Althea Gibson) was what golf (Tiger Woods) is now ...

jmho

well count me out - i dislike tennis and golf. they are boaring! i guess at my age i do good just to run/walk a few miles.

a brother is tired from work and badly needs a vacation.

LOL, i am with you, bruh....

I enjoy the game...I am enhancing my performance in a tennis course now...I am not sure about being the new golf...though..