Sandra’s Saga: Chapter 7

“Winners never quit & Quitters never win” - Vince Lombardi

I Am Sandra: Chapter Seven – The Tennis and Pickleball Experiment

One thing I’ve learned on this journey is that getting better—truly better—is about trying new things, even if they don’t all stick. After discovering the benefits of Pilates, Dilma and I agreed it was time to shake things up again. “Let’s explore,” she said, always the enthusiastic one. “Maybe tennis!”

I laughed at first. Me? A tennis player? The idea of chasing after a little yellow ball on a court seemed like something for younger, sprightlier versions of me. But as Dilma rattled off the benefits—improved coordination, cardiovascular fitness, and agility—I started to reconsider. If I wanted to stay active, strong, and sharp, I needed to keep challenging myself.

So, I bought a second-hand racket, slipped on my sneakers, and hit the courts with Dilma.

At first, I’ll admit it was exhilarating. There’s something joyful about smacking that ball, hearing the thwack of the strings, and feeling your body spring into motion. Tennis demanded my focus. I couldn’t think about my to-do lists or my worries; I could only think about the ball, the next step, the next swing. For those moments, I was alive in a way I hadn’t been in years.

But as the days passed, reality set in. Tennis wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. For every satisfying swing, there were sore knees screaming at me later. My joints, though stronger than they used to be, weren’t quite ready for the sharp pivots and sprints the game required. Even Dilma, who’s as tough as they come, admitted she felt the same. “Sandra,” she groaned one evening, rubbing her shoulder, “I think tennis may be laughing at us.”

And the expense? Between lessons, equipment, and court fees, tennis quickly became more of an investment than either of us had bargained for.

Still, we weren’t ready to give up just yet. That’s when we stumbled onto pickleball.

Pickleball, as it turns out, is tennis’s gentler, more forgiving cousin. The court is smaller, the paddle is lighter, and the game moves at a pace that’s kinder to knees and joints. When we played our first game, I felt a spark of hope. It was fun, light-hearted, and social—everything I’d been looking for. I could move, stretch, and work up a light sweat without feeling like my knees were plotting their revenge.

Dilma and I laughed our way through our first session, and I knew we were onto something. Pickleball gave us the benefits tennis promised—improved coordination, balance, and cardiovascular fitness—without the pain. Plus, it was affordable and accessible.

Looking back, I’m not disappointed that tennis didn’t work out. This journey isn’t about forcing myself into boxes that don’t fit; it’s about finding what does work for me. It’s about listening to my body, honoring my limits, and celebrating progress wherever I find it.

So, tennis? Not for me. But pickleball? It’s a keeper. My knees are happy, my heart is pumping, and for once, exercise feels like play.

I am Sandra. I’m learning, exploring, and finding what works for me. And the best part? I’m having fun doing it.