Historically, women have always played tennis. In fact, it’s one of the only sports women have been allowed to play. This is because, until the mid 20th century, tennis wasn’t seen as athletic, it was feminine, it was timid, and it was casual.
But, as society has evolved, women have realized they can play tennis outside of Sunday mornings at the country club, sipping iced tea, in a over-the-knee skirt. Tennis can mean so much more. It can mean power and ultimate athleticism while also embodying complete femininity. This athleticism female tennis stars are bringing to the world is helping to highlight women’s sports.
As the Shorecrest girls varsity tennis team winds down on their success of a season, winning districts, regionals, and making it to states, this extreme athleticism is highlighted. Their strides as an entirely underclassman team continue to represent the importance of female athletics.
In April, the girls tennis team traveled to districts, winning a total of 14 matches. They then won regional semifinals six matches to one and regional finals four matches to one. On April 27, 2025, they traveled to states, losing in the quarterfinals.
Freshman Charlotte Hanson, a varsity tennis athlete, described the team’s feelings in the playoffs. She said, “It was really kind of an electric vibe, I guess, because you could tell how much everyone was excited to be there, and then how much everyone really wanted to win.”
Both Hanson and sophomore Isabelle Jank credit their wins to the environment of their team, emphasising the camaraderie of the group. “I definitely think [our closeness] was a big part of why we’re able to go to the states. Like, we have a doubles aspect that’s between two people…[Where] you have to support your partner when you’re [playing],” said Jank.
Their wins were praised around the school, demonstrating the importance of women’s sports, even at the high school level. But, tennis stars have been doing this at the global level for decades, promoting equality through emphasising equal prize money and match opportunities.
“But I think that being able to show that women’s sports at Shorecrest are thriving translates to all women’s sports,” said Hanson.
In 1973, tennis star Billie Jean King won the “Battle of the Sexes” against former star Bobby Riggs, wearing a sparkly white dress. King’s athleticism caused real change, resulting in equal prize money for the US Open. Her power and might provided just a little bit more equality in sports while still normalizing femininity through her attire.
However, Serena Williams is more well-known for this, currently holding 23 Grand Slam titles all while changing the attire for girls tennis. Williams is famous for her colorful and creative outfits on the court. This has created the notion that female athletes are powerful, that they’re confident, and that they’re here.
Tennis is a space for women to embrace their femininity while showing their competency in terms of athletics. And, as more and more women are viewed worldwide for their accomplishments in tennis, their excellence is further emphasized. Tennis has certainly built a bridge between femininity and athleticism, and further shown Shorecrest that women athletes are here and that they are dominant.
