Tennis Tuesdays is an initiative set up by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), in association with Nike, to encourage more women to get back into or to begin playing tennis! Launched this summer, Tennis Tuesday sessions are taking place in towns and cities across the country including Eastbourne at Gildredge Park tennis courts and Fisherman's Green tennis courts.
On Tuesday 23 June, when Anne Keothavong coached 12 women, some who regularly play tennis and others who haven't played in years - but all wanting to improve their game and have fun - VisitEastbourne was invited along to watch!
Anne may have been retired from professional tennis for two years now, but she definitely hasn't lost her trophy-winning skill on the court. It was great to watch the women enjoying tennis, whilst practicing their backhands, deep shots and drop shots and being guided by Anne and the other tennis coaches on the courts.
The women taking part all had a lot of fun and it didn't take long for the competitive streak to come out in some of them. Anne Keothavong was extremely friendly and relaxed, apart from her tremendous skill on the court, no one would have know she was a tennis star, she just seemed like one of the other 12 women having fun and playing tennis on a sunny Tuesday evening. After the session was over, Anne happily answered a few questions for us.
VE: What are your top tennis training tips for women starting out or getting back into tennis?
AK: Just to be open-minded and enjoy the challenge of training, nothing is ever easy but you just have to keep going with it and it will get easier. Be patient when improving your skills, enjoy the training and the more you play the better you'll get. It's also a really nice way to meet and interact with new people.
VE: Have you been enjoying the Aegon International Eastbourne this year?
AK: Yeah it's great, as a retired player I now work for BT Sport as a pundit and commentator so obviously I'm here in a different capacity than I have been in the past. I got to see Johanna Konta win today which was great, and it's amazing to watch some of the junior girls playing excellent tennis; watching the stars of the future is great!
VE: What is your favourite thing about Eastbourne?
AK: As a player I always enjoyed coming here as it's a relaxed atmosphere with superb courts and excellent support.
VE: What is life like for you now that you've retired from tennis?
AK: Well it's been two years since I retired and life has changed quite a bit in those two years. I got married and we're expecting our first child, so very different from the years of professional tennis. Tennis is still very much a big part of my life in my current work, which is really nice. I don't have to spend so much time in airports now which is also great!
With Aegon International Eastbourne being a women's tournament, it's the perfect time to inspire women all over the country to take up tennis. Whether it's to have some fun with friends or to enjoy a bit of competition, Tennis Tuesdays offer an opportunity for women to show their tennis talent, in a sociable environment, helping to remove some of the barriers to sport that women often face.
Anne was lovely to talk to and it was extra special to see her sharing her tennis talent and skill with so many enthusiastic women on Eastbourne's gorgeous grass courts! It definitely inspired us to get the racket out and start hitting them balls on a Tuesday evening this summer!
Learn more about Tennis Tuesdays and Tennis in the Park with the LTA!
On Tuesday 23 June, when Anne Keothavong coached 12 women, some who regularly play tennis and others who haven't played in years - but all wanting to improve their game and have fun - VisitEastbourne was invited along to watch!
The women taking part all had a lot of fun and it didn't take long for the competitive streak to come out in some of them. Anne Keothavong was extremely friendly and relaxed, apart from her tremendous skill on the court, no one would have know she was a tennis star, she just seemed like one of the other 12 women having fun and playing tennis on a sunny Tuesday evening. After the session was over, Anne happily answered a few questions for us.
VE: What are your top tennis training tips for women starting out or getting back into tennis?
AK: Just to be open-minded and enjoy the challenge of training, nothing is ever easy but you just have to keep going with it and it will get easier. Be patient when improving your skills, enjoy the training and the more you play the better you'll get. It's also a really nice way to meet and interact with new people.
VE: Have you been enjoying the Aegon International Eastbourne this year?
AK: Yeah it's great, as a retired player I now work for BT Sport as a pundit and commentator so obviously I'm here in a different capacity than I have been in the past. I got to see Johanna Konta win today which was great, and it's amazing to watch some of the junior girls playing excellent tennis; watching the stars of the future is great!
VE: What is your favourite thing about Eastbourne?
AK: As a player I always enjoyed coming here as it's a relaxed atmosphere with superb courts and excellent support.
VE: What is life like for you now that you've retired from tennis?
AK: Well it's been two years since I retired and life has changed quite a bit in those two years. I got married and we're expecting our first child, so very different from the years of professional tennis. Tennis is still very much a big part of my life in my current work, which is really nice. I don't have to spend so much time in airports now which is also great!
With Aegon International Eastbourne being a women's tournament, it's the perfect time to inspire women all over the country to take up tennis. Whether it's to have some fun with friends or to enjoy a bit of competition, Tennis Tuesdays offer an opportunity for women to show their tennis talent, in a sociable environment, helping to remove some of the barriers to sport that women often face.
Anne was lovely to talk to and it was extra special to see her sharing her tennis talent and skill with so many enthusiastic women on Eastbourne's gorgeous grass courts! It definitely inspired us to get the racket out and start hitting them balls on a Tuesday evening this summer!
Learn more about Tennis Tuesdays and Tennis in the Park with the LTA!
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