Love for Tennis and Friendly Competition
Q & A with Biltmore Park neighbor Abby Olmsted
How long have you been playing tennis, and when did you start?
I began playing tennis about five and a half years ago, in the winter of 2021, though I took a few breaks along the way when I had my kids.
How did you get into the sport?
I played many sports growing up, with basketball and volleyball being my main focus in high school. After college, I even played semi-professional volleyball in Spain. When I returned to the United States, I stayed active but really missed competitive sports. Realizing how difficult it was to coordinate 12 people for a volleyball match, I decided to give tennis a try. I figured it shared some similarities, except I only needed one other person to play. I instantly fell in love with it.
What do you love most about tennis?
In volleyball, I was a defensive player whose job was to track down every single ball. A lot of those exact skills translate directly to tennis. Chasing down tough shots and making good gets gives me the same rush on the tennis court as it did on the volleyball court. I also absolutely love the strategy involved in ball placement.
What has tennis taught you?
Never judge a book by its cover! There are older players who will kick your butt. Their strategy completely outweighs good gets. They can place the ball so perfectly that they’ll have you running all over the court while they barely move from the same spot. By the end of the match, you’re exhausted and they haven’t even broken a sweat; it’s incredible! Playing against people in their 70s and 80s is so inspiring.
How often do you play now, and what does your routine look like?
I play most weekday mornings with friends or with Asheville Racquet Club members who need a fourth for doubles. Asheville Racquet Club offers childcare, which is amazing because I can bring my kids and still get my tennis time. I also play in USTA leagues in the evening about once a week.
How did you discover Burn, and how does it complement your tennis?
I started Burn Boot Camp when my oldest child, who is now 3.5, was just four months old. We were living in Durham at the time, and because local tennis facilities didn’t offer childcare, it was tough to find time to play. Burn Boot Camp was the perfect solution because I could bring my son and stay active. Once I started Burn, I realized it kept my cardio level excellent, but I wasn’t very strong! Burn has been great in combination with tennis. I can serve harder because of the weight training I do at Burn.