Facing the Tennis Challenge
After graduating from J.T. Brashear Elementary School in Dallas, Texas with high academic achievement and experiences in little league football and basketball, Des’mne Curtis, was eager for more challenging sporting endeavors, mentally and physically, as he moved into Boude Storey Middle School. The search continued at Storey where he competed in football, basketball, and track, looking for that ultimate sporting event that he needed to make him a stronger all around athlete. His sister, Desiree Curtis, a member of the South Oak Cliff High School Golden Bears tennis team at the time, encouraged him to try tennis, a sport that she claimed would meet all of his challenges.
When Des’mne graduated from Storey, he had enough time during the summer to try the game that Desiree suggested. He had just turned 14 years-old, and was looking forward to his first year at the Townview Magnet School, a school without any athletic programs available for the students. They had to join teams at another school in their community if they wanted to participate in sports. This made it easier for Des’mne to try playing a new game that wouldn’t interfere with his academic studies. Just hitting with his sister created a big stir in him, to the extent that he decided to join the USTA Slam Jammers at Kiest Tennis Center during the summer, just to get additional practice and experience. His decision to play tennis came as a result of these experiences.
The rules worked in his favor, allowing him to play a sport at another school. He immediately joined the tennis team at Kimball High School, became the number one singles player on the team that reached the Sectionals his junior year, and this year (2013), won the District, and fourth place in Team Tennis.
“It was harder than playing football, basketball, or running track. It was more competitive, requiring more athleticism – speed, quick reflexes, hand-eye coordination, and most of all – endurance,” Des’mne stated as reasons why he played tennis. As a graduating senior at Townview in 2014, he is looking at the possibility of going to college. His preferences are Abilene Christian or Tyler Junior College.
What is outstanding to him at the moment is his participation in the Delay Entry Program of the U.S. Marine Corp. The program is important to him as a way of getting enlisted in the Marines early, and preparation for boot camp. He found out about the Program as a student, and got additional information from one of his tennis instructors in the Slam Jammers Program. “It helps to develop strong physical bodies, good job skills, and self-discipline,” he said. Des’mne is setting the bar at a high level that many young students should emulate as they seek to achieve success in this competitive world in which we live today.
Tennis players today are learning that the game is no longer a social sport as in the past when players wore fashionable clothing, and stopped during a match to chat, have drinks, and discuss world affairs. Technological changes made in the facilities, equipment, and changes of the organizational structure have made it a perfect sport for the true athlete. The top professional tennis players of today are in better physical and mental condition than most athletes who play other sports. To win in tennis, a player must possess all of attributes – speed, endurance, strength, focus, skill, and tolerance – qualities that are found only in top athletes.
