There is love in tennis

The idea of writing a newsletter on tennis has been bouncing around in my mind for months.

One week ago, a conversation with a friend was the catalyst. I was talking with E* and told her, “No matter what, I will commit to writing the first edition before we see each other again.” Well, today is that day.

Welcome to The Drop Shot!

I named it The Drop Shot not only after the delicate, surprising stroke in tennis but also because it represents a break from the expected, a shift in rhythm that can change everything. To me, the drop shot embodies the unpredictability of tennis (and life) itself – where a match can turn around at any moment, where setbacks like injuries or sabotaging thoughts can arise without warning, and where sometimes, it’s the unexpected and perfectly placed drop shot that can make victory possible.

Tennis gives me something I can’t find anywhere else. It’s not just two players hitting a ball back and forth. It’s about the power, endurance, and relentless passion they bring to doing it for 4, 5, or even 6 hours. Day after day after day. It’s about their love for a sport that, most of the time, makes them losers more than winners. And it’s about those moments of raw emotion and joy that they offer us when they win an almost perfect rally, smiling through exhaustion, transforming into artists or heroes who make us believe – even for an instant – that we are here for something greater.

You can expect to hear from me once or twice a month.

My first post will be on February 28th, reflecting on the retirement of Romania's greatest women's tennis player: Simona Halep.

Join me in this love for the game!

Theodora