RJ sat on the porch, surrounded by birthday gifts, when his father, Ralph, handed him a small, rectangular package. Inside was a brand-new tennis racket. RJ looked up, surprised.
“A tennis racket?” he asked, unsure of what to do with it. Ralph smiled. “I think you’ll like it,” he said.
RJ found himself standing on a tennis court, holding the racket awkwardly. He wasn’t athletic, and the idea of playing tennis felt strange. He swung a few times, missing the ball entirely.
“This is harder than it looks,” RJ thought.
Undeterred, RJ began practicing in his yard. He would hit a tennis ball against the garage, over and over, determined to get better. At first, the ball flew everywhere, but slowly, he began to improve.
“I’ll get the hang of this,” he told himself.
Every day after school, RJ would head outside, tennis racket in hand, to practice. He was still far from perfect, but his aim improved, and his hits became stronger. The racket, once foreign in his hands, now felt like an extension of himself.
At school, RJ still felt like the unathletic kid. He wasn’t good at sports, and tennis wasn’t something the other kids talked about. But RJ didn’t mind. He had his racket, and with each passing day, he was getting stronger.
One evening, Ralph watched from the window as RJ practiced in the yard. He smiled, seeing the determination in his son’s eyes.
“You’re getting good, kiddo,” Ralph said, stepping outside to join him. RJ grinned. “I’m trying, Dad.”
With his growing confidence, RJ decided to join a small tennis club in the neighborhood. He wasn’t the best player, but he didn’t care. He was finally doing something athletic, and it felt good. The other kids were friendly, and RJ found himself enjoying the game more each day.
RJ’s first tennis match arrived sooner than expected. He was nervous, his heart pounding as he stepped onto the court.
“Just
play like you’re at home,” he told himself. Ralph sat in the stands, cheering him on.
RJ played with all his heart, hitting the ball as hard and accurately as he could. He didn’t win the match, but he didn’t lose his confidence either.
“I’ll get better,” he thought. “This is just the beginning.”
As RJ walked off the court, his racket slung over his shoulder, Ralph met him with a proud smile.
“You did great, son,” he said. RJ smiled
back. “Thanks, Dad. I’m going to keep getting better.”
Back at home, RJ continued to practice. The loss didn’t discourage him; it only fueled his determination. The racket had become more than just a gift—it was a symbol of his growing confidence and strength.
Think About:
1. Why was the tennis racket so special to RJ?
2. How did practicing help RJ feel more confident?
3. What did RJ learn from playing his first match?
Let's Work Together: Sometimes, it takes hard work and dedication to improve at something new. Just like RJ, we can grow stronger by practicing and believing in ourselves.
I Will: I will keep practicing the things I love, even if they’re difficult at first, because I know that’s how I will improve.
The Importance of Knowing: Knowing that effort and perseverance are key to success helps us stay motivated, even when we’re starting out or facing challenges.
From an unathletic boy to a US Open champion, RJ's Racket is an inspiring five-book series about resilience, growth, and the power of determination. When RJ receives a tennis racket for his birthday, he struggles at first, but with unwavering effort and the support of his best friend, Emily, he transforms into a world-class player.
