As I wrote before the holidays, I took some time away to go visit my son who is now living in Auckland, New Zealand. He is sharing a rental house with his best friend, Jack, who also happens to be his former roommate and teammate from their time at Boise State University. Seeing these two together now, as adults, showed me once again how tennis is the gift we give our children that keeps giving to them long after they move beyond junior tournaments.
If you’ve followed my story, you know my son, Morgan, decided to stop playing tennis at the end of his sophomore year of college. He had been playing, training, and competing since the age of 6 and was ready to explore life beyond the tennis court. At the time, it was a tough choice FOR ME to understand, but I supported him in his move back to California and as he took up music production then a job in tech sales. During that transition period, tennis was not part of his life at all other than his friendship with Jack.
The two young men made a plan for Jack to spend some extended time in California after college graduation with the idea that Morgan would eventually spend some extended time in Jack’s home country as well. New Zealand has a very interesting visa program for people under age 30 where they can live for up to a year without any type of sponsorship, student-status, or work.
But, then, COVID struck. And their plans had to be put on hold.
Last year, New Zealand lifted its travel restriction, and Morgan applied for the visa and was approved. In July he made the move to Auckland. In September, his dog, Nova, was able to join him there.
While living back in Auckland, Jack has continued to play tennis with his family and at his local club. He told me he still enjoys playing recreationally and in his club’s annual tournament. With two brothers who are also solid players, the family rivalry is strong, too!
When we were planning our visit to New Zealand, Jack’s mom mentioned that we might play some tennis and that she had everything we would need in terms of equipment. Sure enough, Jack and his mom and Morgan and I played some mixed doubles one morning.
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