— Nirban Bhattacharjee (Beau): Age – 10

It all started in our backyard in Perth when my dad tossed me a yellow fuzzy ball. I swung my racket with all my power… and missed!  But Dad said, “Try again,” and I did. This time—pop! —the ball actually hit the strings. That moment, tennis became my favourite game ever.

Tennis is Crazy Cool!

Did you know Tennis started in France in the 12th century. Back then it was called “jeu de paume” (game of the palm) because people hit the ball with their hands. The modern game of tennis, the one we play today, was developed in England in the late 1800s. Today, players travel the world, win trophies, and make millions. Here are some facts that blew my mind:

• Fastest serve ever: 263 km/h by Aussie Sam Groth. That’s faster than a car on Mitchell Freeway!
• Longest match: 11 hours, 5 minutes (Isner vs. Mahut, Wimbledon). They even had to sleep and come back to finish.
• Youngest champ: Martina Hingis, only 16 years old.
• Oldest champ: Serena Williams at 35 (and she was a mum too!).
• Richest player: Novak Djokovic—over $180 million in prize money. Imagine how many tennis balls that could buy!

Players Are Like Superheroes

Pro players don’t just play—they train like machines! Nadal practices 6 hours a day. Djokovic doesn’t eat gluten. Federer travels with trainers, physios, and cooks. Serena once trained while pregnant! Their routines sound tough, but that’s why they’re legends.

Why I Love Tennis

I find Tennis is not just about hitting a ball. It’s running, thinking, and staying cool when I’m nervous. My dad is my first coach and sometimes my toughest critic. My mum who is my biggest cheerleader is slowly getting converted into our Tennis Family! My dad says, ‘sometimes you play against your opponent, but most of the time you’re competing against yourself’.

Fun Facts That Make Tennis Awesome

•      A tennis ball can spin 4,000 times per minute.

•      Wimbledon used white balls until 1986—yellow made it easier for TV.

•      Players run 3–5 km in a long match.

•      Federer strings about 30 rackets per tournament.

•      Longest rally ever: 643 shots in 29 minutes (the crowd almost fell asleep).

Aussie Open Fever

Every January, Melbourne becomes tennis world headquarters. The Australian Open is called the “Happy Slam” because players say Aussies are the friendliest fans. More than 800,000 people watch it live! There’s music, food, night matches, and so much cheering.

And Perth? We had the Hopman Cup, where Federer and Serena once played right here. In United cup, Perth fans cheered as top players like Djokovic battled it out right in our own backyard!

Game, Set, You!

For me, tennis is family, community, and dreams rolled into one. Perth itself is a tennis paradise—did you know there are 350+ tennis clubs and over 1,000 courts across WA? Thousands of people here play for fun, fitness, or even professionally. Our family is just one of them, chasing rallies and making memories together. So, if you’re looking for fitness, fun, friendship, and a community that cheers you on—what are you waiting for? Grab a racket before the ball bounces away!!

And if still in doubt, ring my Mum/Dad, we are ju  st a serve away!!