Globa Tennis

By on March 30, 2009

In Tokyo, like anywhere else, tennis is one of the most preferred sports when parents choose an activity for their child’s physical and mental development. Although mostly reserved to the upper classes a few decades ago, the game’s fun popularized it. Today, it is a must-do for everyone – especially children.

Many tennis lovers who hoped for a good tennis workout in Tokyo have faced challenges due to the limited number of available tennis courts and high fees. However, services to the international community broaden; sports like tennis have become easier to pursue.

One man addressing the need for tennis to be more accessible in Tokyo is Jean-Pierre Felix, Tennis Director with GLOBA TENNiS. “JP,” as people call him, is passionate about the game, describing it as a “sport for a lifetime.” He is a US-certified professional tennis coach with more than fifteen years’ experience in Europe, North America, and Japan since 1997. He grew up in France, where he played competitive tennis at an early age, and after university graduation, chose to make a career of the sport.

In early 2008, he set up GLOBA TENNiS, a tennis club that offers a range of activities especially for children of all ages and levels, with events organized for English, French, and Japanese speakers.

According to Jean-Pierre, tennis is one of the few sports that can be played until old age, and benefits kids mentally and physically like no other sport if played regularly. His approach to coaching young children and teenagers alike is sincere and insightful.

“Basically, tennis will bring in your child’s life three fundamental elements that will help him or her grow happily and successfully amongst his/her peers,” Jean-Pierre says. Accordingly, these elements are:

1. A great interpersonal skill:

Children who start tennis early will take this multi-faceted skill wherever they are later on. As it is played by so many people all over the world, building relationships will be easier regardless of location.

Children are naturally playful and competitive. Through tennis, values respected by society can be bestowed upon them: discipline, diligence, commitment, fairness, respect for self and others, fairness, and sportsmanship.

2. Commitment to reaching one‘s goals:

Children are born achievers, and are naturally endowed with a sense of mission. Hitting the ball over the net, running, jumping, stretching to reach targets on the court, or helping their team win a game brings them exhilaration and fulfillment. Exclamations such as “I did it!” or “I made it!” show their need and desire to accomplish their goals.

3. Concentration:

Substantial amounts of attention and physical coordination are needed in tennis. Unlike adults, kids take up new sports excellently, as their minds are not clouded with judgmental or negative thoughts. Living in the present is highly important to them, and very rarely does doubt creep in when trying a shot for the first time. Their body and mind are one. The court alerts and coordinates them, improving their attention spans. It is a tool they can use in school and beyond.

Jean-Pierre strongly recommends kids to start early. “Taking tennis at a young age will present your child with a healthy body and a focused mind,” he says.

GLOBA TENNiS can offer the right program for your children, whether you’re looking for a school break tennis camp, a special tennis day event at the school, or weekly tennis classes in Tokyo or Yokohama. Jean-Pierre and his team also provide all the necessary equipments such as mini-tennis nets, mini racquets, and foam or soft tennis balls in addition to the professional instruction.

About Martin Leroux