To those of us who love to play the game of tennis, it is the
competition, the athletic challenge and the potential for
artistic shot making that usually gets us going emotionally.
There's little time for tennis humor as we focus on ripping that
next shot for a winner.
But take a step back or just start watching some tennis matches
at your club and you'll begin to see the humorous situations
that abound in our game. Of course, just like mother-in-law
jokes are a staple of marriage humor, dysfunctional tennis
dynamics are the source of most tennis humor. And tennis humor
in the form of tennis jokes or tennis cartoons on mugs, tshirts,
mousepads, or greeting cards make great tennis gifts.
So, without further adieu here are a number of tennis dynamics
that lend themselves to humor:
1. The married mixed doubles team. Need I say more? This classic
dynamic has caused guffaws at the best of times and divorces at
the worst. And for those still in dating mode -- tread very
carefully!
2. The poseurs -- look great in their new tennis clothes which
they claim they received as tennis gifts from a well
known-touring pro, carry at least 3 of the latest hi-tech
rackets, and are the epitome of style until they have to hit
that first ball. Of course, if truly desperate, they will feign
injury while opening up a new can of balls to avoid public
display of their atrocious strokes.
3. The emotional player versus the " classic tennis dinker".
Nothing can drive a tennis player more quickly to the asylum
that having to play a talented retriever who gets everything
back with no pace. Sit back, have a drink, and start betting
pools on the number of times you're going to see a racket tossed
in frustration.
4. The obsessive tennis nut -- can't be standing in a line
anywhere without starting to practice his or her swing - without
a racket of course. Observers often inquire if they're watching
some new martial art.
5. The interfering tennis parent -- can't play, never studied
the game except for having watched an instructional video or
two, but feels free to walk on the court and correct former
Wimbledon champ who is instructing his or her child. Just
watching the tennis pro try not to explode at this preposterous
chutzpah is priceless.
Of course, there are many more of these funny tennis dynamics
which I'll address in a later article. So for now, keep your
eyes open at the club and you may be very entertained by the
gift of tennis humor happening right in front of your eyes.
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