By the time day five of Charlotte City Tennis adult summer camp wrapped up, my limbs felt like they each weighed 75 pounds. My muscles — many of which I forgot existed — were completely toast.
To give you an idea:
- The sides of my glutes? Total Jell-O.
- My right forearm? Tight and achy for two days.
- The front of my shin (???), for some unknown reason, sore.
- Calves? Done since Day 3.
- My lower lats and rib muscles felt like they hadn’t been exercised in years.
- Even my deep core muscles twitched when I laughed.
- My neck was sore.
Let me repeat: my freaking neck was sore.
And yet…I loved every minute of it.
There’s something wildly satisfying about getting sore from a sport you’re passionate about. That soreness is a mix of proof you worked your ass off and a reminder that there’s still work to do. It’s humbling and energizing all at once.
From Nervous Newbie to Confident Player
Before signing up for Charlotte City Tennis’ adult summer camp, I was in a weird in-between phase with the sport. I’d taken a few beginner clinics, but I knew I was above that level (strictly because I played competitively as a kid from 2001 to 2008). Still, I wasn’t quite sure what came next — or how to ask.
That uncertainty was the biggest barrier between me and the court.
This week changed everything.
Charlotte City Tennis makes tennis approachable for all levels. Whether you’re brand new, getting back into it, or leveling up your skills, there’s space for you. The camp struck a perfect balance between structured instruction, useful repetition, and live play. Every day had a clear focus, and every drill built on the last.
I left camp not just stronger and more skilled — but also way more confident walking onto a court.
Beyond the Drills: The People Make It
Tennis can sometimes feel cliquey and intimidating, especially when you’re an adult trying to pick it back up. But Charlotte City Tennis is actively changing that. They’ve created an incredibly welcoming, judgment-free environment where people of all skill levels are encouraged to show up, ask questions, and improve.
Our little camp crew was full of fun, kind, encouraging people who were just there to better their game—and support each other in the process. I even swapped numbers with two new friends and found out about semi-private lessons with Jason, one of the lead pros at the camp.
If you’re looking to boost your reps, work on form, and get a little more one-on-one instruction, semi-privates are an amazing next step.
My Charlotte City Tennis review is this: book a clinic with any pro and you’ll walk away a better player.
My 20-Year-Old Racquet Deserves Retirement
Let’s talk gear for a second.
My racquet survived the week, but it’s almost 20 years old. It’s technically not vintage — but she’s on the brink. The rubber string supports are disintegrating, and I honestly don’t remember how or why I picked it in the first place.
Thankfully, one of the campers told me about Queen City Tennis, where you can rent/demo three racquets before committing. You bring them to your next clinic, test them out, and let the coach help you figure out what works best for your goals.
Considering how much has changed since I last bought a racquet, this tip was gold.
Related: Gift Ideas for Tennis Players: 20 Aces for Every Budget
Final Thoughts: Just Book the Class
If there’s a sport you loved as a kid — or one you’ve always wanted to try — but your brain keeps coming up with a dozen reasons not to…
Stop listening to the excuses.
Book the class.
You won’t regret it. You’ll walk away stronger, more energized, and maybe even with a few new friends and a renewed love for the game.
Want to take a closer look at each day on the court? Check out my daily recap vlogs on TikTok:
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