Here's how I got my start playing tennis

I love to play tennis. I am going to tell you how I started playing.

I wanted to play a sport that I never really knew about and that was really enjoyable and fun for me and my family. When I told my mom she said, “OK, we’ll look into it.”

Over the next few weeks I started reading books about tennis players. Then one day — the day before school started — my book bag, headphones and tennis racket and tennis balls came. I was so happy; that Saturday I played on the tennis court in the park. It was so much fun.

After playing for a while, I have some tips for beginners:

• Always keep your eye on the ball.
• Practice, practice, practice.
• Always stretch and loosen up before you start playing.
• Hit the ball with effort and play fair.
• Be a good sport and shake hands with your opponent.
• Try your best even when it’s hard and you are not doing well.
• Never be afraid to ask for help to get better.

Theresa Moskowski’s fifth-grade students, Walnut Street School, Uniondale