Why I’m still in the rally
A late start.
A lasting love.
Still in the Rally is my account of discovering a love for tennis as an adult and taking recreational improvement seriously as I approach 40.
My parents played when I was young, but my own interest took longer. Watching Nadal’s 2022 Australian Open comeback drew me in. Court hangouts with friends turned into lessons, league matches and a beginner doubles title in April 2023. I’ve been chasing improvement ever since.
The name’s Vicky. Novak Djokovicky.
Nadal is my favourite player of all time. But Djokovic and I share a resemblance in name and an ambition to keep improving as we get older.
This site is not affiliated with Novak Djokovic.
Follow along on Instagram @stillintherally.
The player I can become
I wish I had started taking tennis seriously earlier. This publication is about what I do with the opportunity I have now: the learning, the work, and the people and resources that help me along the way.
I can put together a point I’m proud of, then send a routine forehand into the net. I’m working on making the good tennis more consistent. In the meantime, it provides plenty to write about.
Read the full story: from watching Nadal to entering the league.
Experience, research and recommendations
Personal stories here draw on my own experience. When discussing products or programs, I’ll distinguish what I have actually used from information supplied by a merchant or gathered through research. I won’t present a product as part of my journey until that is true.
Still in the Rally is an independent publication and participates in affiliate programs. Future articles may include affiliate links that earn us a commission on eligible purchases. We’ll make those relationships clear alongside the relevant links and recommendations.