Tennis has always been a sport I wanted to learn as an adult. It runs in my family too. Check out the photo of my grandmother Frederica Stanley Roberts Leeke holding her tennis racket during the 1930s
During the global pandemic, I decided to take lessons and become a beginner player. My soul sistalove Tonya (see in the third photo above) encouraged me. Tonya is an intermediate player and “tennis momma” with many years of experience due to her son’s tennis playing years.
Tennis has always been a sport I wanted to learn as an adult. During the global pandemic, I decided to take lessons and become a beginner player. My soul sistalove Tonya (see in the third photo above) encouraged me. Tonya is an intermediate player and “tennis momma” with many years of experience due to her son’s tennis playing years.
In October 2021, my tennis journey began at the grand age of 56 with the support of my coach Kendall, a Howard University senior and member of the tennis team, on the Banneker courts in Washington, D.C. Kendall coached me for several weeks before the weather got too cold and resumed teaching me during the spring and early summer in 2022 (see two photos of above).
After she moved, she referred me to Jadenn, a coach and junior at Hampton University who was a member of the tennis team. Jaden worked with me on the basics and encouraged me to sign up for the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation’s (DPR) fall tennis classes in August 2022.
During my DPR journey, I learned so much from a great group of coaches including Rich, Richard, Dave, and Kevin, and volunteers Gail and Dan. I also learned a lot from my classmates. When I graduated to intermediate tennis classes in the summer of 2024, I started working with Coach Marian Lang (see photos above). Coach Marian really helped me with dive deeper into tennis and build my confidence as a player. I worked with her until the end of 2025 and plan to continue working with her this year.
In October 2025, I realized I learn better when I am in a small group. So I stopped taking classes with DPR. My friend Tonya encouraged me to experiment with indoor lessons at Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) and Rock Creek Tennis Center and. So I signed up for JTCC’s Learn Tennis Now programs in November 2025. I also gave myself a birthday gift of intermediate lessons with Coach Bianca Eqalite at Rock Creek Tennis Center in December 2025.
Before 2025 ended, I decided to take intermediate winter classes at JTCC and Rock Creek Tennis Center. Unfortunately, I only attended one class at Rock Creek Tennis Center due to the winter snow and my schedule. I may go back in the spring or summer because I really enjoyed Coach Bianca.
My winter intermediate classes at JTCC have been pretty intense which is a good thing for me. I have enjoyed learning from Coaches Ross, Tayla, Eva, and Ale, and practicing with and playing my classmates.
Last weekend, I spent Saturday evening celebrating International Women’s Day and the great tennis legacy of women players like Althea Gibson, Serena and Venus Williams, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, and Taylor Townsend at JTCC. I had a great time participating in tennis exercises, games, and matches. It was an intense workout that was much needed.
Getting a peach Fila tennis skirt made the event even sweeter!
Special thanks to Marta and the JTCC women coaches for hosting the event.
Ananda Leeke 