Hello my sweet friends!

Have you ever had something touch your life so deeply that it just stays with you…forever? I’ve been lucky to have a few of those moments growing up—and tennis is absolutely one of them.

I picked up a racket at 7 years old…a tiny wooden one, taking lessons through our local parks and rec. And I LOVED it. Every summer, back out on the courts, soaking up every single second. It became part of me. As I got older, my bedroom walls were covered with posters of Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, and so many more. Watching the slams? Non-negotiable. Any tournament I could find…I was all in.

Tennis has always been a connector for me. It’s woven into my family—my uncle played, so did other family members—and now I get to see that same love carry into this next generation. Marin picked up a racket at 5, and Tucker will jump on the court here and there too. It’s one of those things that just brings us all together in the best, most natural way…a shared rhythm, a shared joy, something that truly connects us.

This week ON THE LIST…I’m taking you into one of the loves of my life. A little peek into the world of tennis—a true lifetime sport that continues to evolve in the best way.

WHAT’S IN MY BAG?

And let’s be honest…it’s also about the gear, right? From the very beginning (and honestly, with anything I do), what I wear and bring into the experience matters. I want to look the part…because when I look the part, I feel the part. You get that. This is just a teaspoon of what is in my bag.

ON TOUR

What is ATP and WTA all about?

The ATP and WTA tours are the premier, separate, worldwide circuits for professional men’s (Association of Tennis Professionals) and women’s (Women’s Tennis Association) tennis. Both tours feature similar tournament tiers—Grand Slams, 1000s, 500s, and 250s—where players accumulate points over 52 weeks based on performance to determine rankings, seeding, and tournament entry. 

The ATP Tour (Men’s)

• Organization: Founded in 1990, it operates the top-tier men’s circuit.
• Structure:
  • Grand Slams: Four major tournaments (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open).
  • ATP Finals: Season-ending tournament for the top 8 players.
  • ATP Masters 1000: Mandatory high-prestige events.
  • ATP 500 & ATP 250: Regional events with lower points and smaller draws.
• Sub-level: The second-tier is the ATP Challenger Tour, followed by the ITF World Tennis Tour.

The WTA Tour (Women’s)

• Organization: Founded in 1973 by Billie Jean King, it represents women’s professional tennis globally.
• Structure:
  • Grand Slams: Same four as the ATP.
  • WTA Finals: Season-ending championship for the top 8 women.
  • WTA 1000 (Mandatory & Non-Mandatory): High-level events.
  • WTA 500 & WTA 250: Mid-tier tournaments.
  • WTA 125: The “middle tier” between main tour and lower-level events. 

Key Similarities and Differences

• Rankings: Both use a 52-week rolling points system, meaning players must “defend” points earned at events from the previous year.
• Co-ed Tournaments: Major tournaments like Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, and Beijing are “combined events,” where both ATP and WTA players compete at the same venue.
• Ranking Calculations:
  • WTA: A player’s ranking is based on their top 16 singles results (or 18+ for specific scenarios), generally including Grand Slams and mandatory 1000 events.
  • ATP: A player’s ranking is based on their best 18 results (plus the ATP Finals if they qualify).

CINCINNATI OPEN

One of my favorite ways to experience it all is heading down to the Cincinnati Open. A quick drive south for us here in Ohio—and something we’ve looked forward to every summer for the past six-ish years. It’s a 1000-level event for both the WTA Tour and ATP Tour, which means you’re seeing the best of the best.

Held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, the entire experience has leveled up in such a beautiful way with recent renovations. It truly lives up to its motto—the heart of tennis. There’s something so special about how the space is designed…you feel close to the game, close to the players, fully immersed in it all.

WHY TENNIS?

IT IS CONSIDERED THE WORLD’S HEALTHIEST SPORT

KEY HEALTH BENEFITS

1. Significant Longevity Boost: Tennis players live on average 9.7 years longer than others.
2. Superior Heart Health: The interval training nature of tennis-improves cardiovascular health.
3. Total Body Workout: It engages every muscle group.
4. Mental and Cognitive Benefits: Tennis requires high-level thinking which improves brain function and reduces stress.
5. Low Impact on Joints: Provides a high-intensity workout while being relatively gentle on the body.
6. Accessible Social Sport: It is a “lifetime sport” and can be played by all ages and skill levels.

If you have never picked up a racket or if you have and it’s been a while…it’s time! Hit the courts and have some fun!