Tennis with Anna Pilkington

​Wayne Christian School has recently reinstated its girls’ tennis team.​ Among the team members is Anna Pilkington, a freshman who has been playing tennis since she was 11 years old. She shared that her interest in tennis was sparked by her mother, who also played the sport, and found it to be a fun activity. Anna’s commitment to tennis reflects her enthusiasm for the game and the influence of her family.

When we asked Anna whether she preferred playing singles or doubles, she responded, “​I like playing doubles better because you have to have a connection with your partner.​” She emphasized the importance of having a good connection with her teammate in order to play effectively together. Regarding handling losses, Anna expressed, “I get frustrated, but in the end, I play for fun. You have to think positively because everyone experiences failures.” Her perspective highlights her focus on enjoyment and resilience in the face of challenges in the sport.

With a variety of tennis rackets available, every player has their preferred choice. Anna mentioned that her favorite racket is Babolat, stating, “They are really expensive, but the racket performs well. However, you need to get the strings restrung every three months, which adds to the cost.”

Anna also expressed her preference for playing on clay courts. She explained that, while concrete courts allow the ball to move faster, clay courts give players more time to react and get to the ball. When it comes to inspiration in tennis, Anna cited Aryna Sabalenka as her biggest role model. She noted, “She has a really good backhand; although she has a bad attitude sometimes, she is a very determined player.”