Following the success of the mothers' Catchball league, Mamanet, the latest trend has arrived: Mamatennis. Around 150 women across the country are now embracing tennis, forming new friendships, and leaving their children at home.
Dressed in sportswear, these women head to the tennis courts, eager to try out the new sensation after "Mamanet". Launched about four months ago, Mamatennis has already attracted around 150 women from across Israel. They are learning the sport of tennis, enhancing their fitness, and building new social connections.
The initiative was started by Keren Shemesh (31) from Ofakim, who manages the local Israel Tennis and Education Center. Shemesh, who studied physical education, only took up tennis after her army service. "I fell in love with the sport," she says. "At first, I was hesitant about starting as a coach because it was a new field for me. However, I discovered that I truly enjoy it and feel invigorated, even after a long day of work or reserve duty. This is exactly what I want to offer the mothers joining the groups."
What can you tell us about your reserve duty?
"I've been in reserve duty since the beginning of the war. During the first six months, I had few opportunities to leave. In March, I was given the chance to manage the Ofakim branch of the Israel Tennis and Education Centers. Since it's close to where I serve, I usually come to the tennis center in the evenings. The training sessions boost my energy levels and recharge me."
Starting from Scratch
The Israel Tennis and Education Centers operates 24 branches across the country, primarily in peripheral areas, aiming to make the "prestigious" tennis accessible to everyone, regardless of background, religion, race, gender, or economic status. "Originally, the target audience was children, and this new initiative also reaches out to mothers. The goal is to engage in sports, enjoy the game, and develop champions both on and off the court," says Shemesh. "Tennis involves many failures; if you fall seven time, you need to get up eight times. It's empowering."
How did the idea of creating groups for mothers come about?
"We gradually realized that not only children need encouragement, but adults do as well. Although I'm not a mother yet, I've seen the impact on mothers through my experience with Mamanet. I observed how much they enjoy it and how their self-confidence grows. Nearly every woman who joins a group initially says, 'I was curious and came to try, but I find it hard to believe I'll succeed. It probably won't work.' And it does work. Then, that woman experiences a completely different feeling: 'I succeeded. I am capable. I won't give up on myself.' It's incredible. Many women come just to try, and the following week, when they return, they say, 'We didn't think we'd look forward to the next session like this.' Often, women bring their friends along, and there's even a group where someone brought all her friends from her Moshav. Over time, we realized that, since most of our coaches are women, the groups offer an opportunity for religious girls to join, as they wouldn't train with men. This created a niche that suits them. Our goal is to enable every woman and mother to engage in sports, sweat, and enjoy the game."
Unlike Catchball, which is a team sport, tennis is individual, or pair based. Do your groups still foster a sense of community?
"Beyond the game, new social connections form, and the women also meet outside of training. The training sessions are group-based, but the challenges on the court are individual or pair based. Still, you are always part of a group, and there is a group spirit. While there is more individual focus compared to team sports, and you're alone in with your thoughts, the goal is to outdo yourself each time and improve on your previous performance. You need to overcome fears and distractions to succeed and enjoy the game. They enjoy it because it's fun. It's their time of the week. They leave their kids at home in the evening and come to focus on themselves. Ultimately, their children are happy too because their mother is happy, so the benefit is twofold."
Is prior knowledge of the game necessary?
"You can start playing tennis at any age, prior experience or special physical ability is required. Each group consists of six women, most of whom are beginners. This ensures that no one feels out of place. Gradually, everyone learns and progresses. The plan is to eventually establish a national league and possibly include children in some activities."
This time, I'm persistent
Keren Or (42) from Petah Tikva is an example of a participant who started from scratch. Although she had a few tennis lessons as a child among other activities, she didn't remember much and hadn't practiced since. "A few months ago, we were in Thailand," she recalls. "The hotel we stayed at had a tennis court, and when my two sons (12 and 15) went to play, I joined in, and we had a great time. A few months after returning to Israel, I saw an advertisement for the initiative, and it was clear to me that I would join. I've tried many types of sports and fitness activities before – liked and enjoyed them – but quickly quit. This time, I'm committed. It suits me."
What do you enjoy about tennis training?
"It feels a bit like a return to childhood, with training starting with running laps around the court and jumping over obstacles. Its reminiscent of high school gym class. I'm learning a lot and discovering that my body is moving fluidly, and I'm performing quite well. I'm the oldest in the group. The other women are young mothers with small children and babies. But when I win or catch up with them in running, I feel fantastic. I also really enjoy the game itself. I've always loved tennis. I used to watch matches on TV with my dad and learned the moves and stances that way. I also appreciate the group setting with women from various backgrounds. We're six women from different fields – I'm a cosmetician, and the group includes a high-tech worker, a psychologist, a chef, a research assistant, and a kindergarten teacher."
We've been training for only about two months, but we’re already starting to recognize each other's strengths, and we often joke about 'how I'm going to beat you now.' We've even talked about meeting outside of training for both practice and social gatherings. For me, as someone who works from home, having a regular weekly time to go out and refresh myself is a gift. It's opened something within me, and I'm not going to give that up."
What do your children think about your new hobby?
"They're thrilled and want to join me. But I have told them this is my private time. Not one is coming."