Alright, so today, let’s talk about something I got into recently – western PA platform tennis. Now, I’d heard about platform tennis before, but honestly, I didn’t know much about it. I got to know about this stuff because I’m moving to western PA recently.
First things first, I had to figure out what this sport actually was. Turns out, it’s kind of like a mix between regular tennis and racquetball, played on this raised court with screens all around. The whole “platform” part of the name makes sense now, right?
Then, I started digging around to find some places to play. I hit up some local clubs and found a couple that offer platform tennis. They had these dedicated courts, and some even had lights for playing at night. I have tried to find if there were any public platform tennis courts but got nothing. It seems platform tennis courts are only supported by clubs or private individuals.
Next up, gear. Luckily, I didn’t have to buy a special platform tennis racket. In fact, I knew that a platform tennis racket is solid and made of some sort of composite material. It is smaller than a tennis racket. I already had a decent tennis racket, and from what I read, it could work just fine. However, I did grab a few balls. They’re sponge rubber, kind of fuzzy, and a bit different from regular tennis balls.
I headed to a local club that had open play. I was a little nervous, not gonna lie, but everyone was pretty welcoming. I watched a few games to get a feel for it. The scoring is the same as tennis, which was a relief.
Finally, I jumped into a game. It took a little getting used to, especially with the ball bouncing off those screens. The pace felt faster than regular tennis, and those screens really add a whole new dimension. You can use them strategically, which is pretty cool. In the beginning, I was not very good at the game, but I got more familiar with the court and the rules in the games after.
My biggest takeaways from today’s practice
- It’s a workout! I was definitely sweating by the end of it. All that running around and quick reactions will get you in shape for sure.
- It’s social. Everyone I played with was super friendly, and there was a good vibe at the club. Seems like a good way to meet people.
- It’s fun! Even though I was a total newbie, I had a blast. It’s a game that’s easy to pick up but has enough strategy to keep it interesting.
So, that’s my platform tennis adventure so far. I’m definitely going to keep playing. It’s a great way to stay active, have some laughs, and maybe even make some new friends. If you’re in western PA and looking for a new sport to try, I’d say give platform tennis a shot. You might just get hooked like I did!