After getting so many responses and giving hope to the tennis players among us with the latest blogpost on “Five Reasons You Should Date a Tennis Player”, I want to go in the other direction. It might be fun and in many ways fulfilling to date a tennis player, but be careful, it is possible that you have stumbled upon one who isn’t worth all the struggle and efforts. We’ll tell you why you might want to think twice before shacking up with another tennis guy.
(1) He’s an Egomaniac
There is a fine line between being independent and being self absorbed, and tennis players inevitably toe that line. Always fighting for themselves on the court they get caught up only with what is happening to them, which can certainly bleed over into everyday life. He’s so used to training for himself, playing for himself and winning for himself that it’s pretty easier for you to fall to the wayside. Maybe it’s best you settled for a nice, safe doubles player. Better than nothing.
(2) He’ll never have time for you!
If you date a serious tennis player, you’ll see that his whole world revolves around tennis. Most of the time, tournaments take place during the weekend, and not just one day, but Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Maybe you should go for one of the crappier players so he gets knocked out early and he’ll have time to spend with you. After the tournament he’s probably going to be too tired to get out of bed as well. Even when he’s not at tournaments, he’ll constantly be practicing out on the court honing his skills, sculpting that body, glistening in the sun. Sorry, what was I saying?
(3) He’ll always have babes fawning over him!
Shortcomings aside, competitive tennis players certainly garner a lot of attention, much of that from the ladies. Girls are always falling for them and doing whatever it takes to get the attention of a guy whose speciality is tennis, even if he has a significant other. He probably has quite a few choices when it comes to dating so don’t take for granted that you’ll be the one. Even if you lock a tennis bro down you’ll be fending off floozy’s as often as he does break points.
(4) You didn’t know he was a hot head!
He’s barating linesmen, talking down to his coach in the stands and cursing out his opponent. You’ve never seen this side of him and now you’re second guessing your decision. Is he going to give you the McEnroe treatment when I tell him you’re going on a girls weekend to Cancun? Is he going to get in the waiter’s face when he forgets to hold the pickles on his burger? Maybe you’d rather not find out.
(5) There’s a constant back and forth!
There’s a good chance his propensity for having a good back and forth on the court will become an issue in your relationship as well. “No it’s your turn to clean the dishes!” “Yeah I’d love to let you know why it’s my turn to control the remote!”. He’ll probably relish a fiery back-and-forth argument, so keep an out for these kind of games. He can’t really help wanting to win even if it’s just winning the argument over who left the milk out.
(6) He’s either a stuck up preppy boy or a total shlub!
There’s nothing worse than a guy who’s more high maintenance than you are. He cares more about spending money on that fresh new Lacoste Polo than on you out at a nice dinner or a weekend away (remember, he’s at his weekend tourneys trying to move up from #1,672 in the world to #1,587 anyway). If he’s not the country club type, he is the kind of guy that won’t bother changing out of his sweatpants and sweaty tennis shirt all week. “What I can’t wear my lucky Nike shirt to your Grandma’s birthday party?”. Either way, it’s not a great look.
(7) And that brutal tennis tan!
Please don’t wear your sandals to brunch. Maybe you should think about getting a spray tan before heading to the beach. Might be best if you just leave your hat on when we go out tonight. All that time in the sun is sure to leave some odd tan lines. But hey, it could be worse. You could be dating a baseball player.
