Don & Kathy Abbott of Tucson, Ariz.

Don and Kathy Abbott are this month’s spotlight member profile. We chose this tennis loving couple from Tucson because they have been relentless of late, finding their names together in several tournament draws throughout the Southwest and even United States. This couple was one of our 2012 Adult Slam Series Champions in the 65 Mixed Doubles category, and Kathy was also our top performer in the Women’s 65 Singles.

The Abbotts from Tucson, Ariz. Image courtesy of USTA Southwest.

We got to talking to them and found out they had a great back story, and that the couple—
who have been married more than 40 years—actually met through tennis back in their home state of Ohio.

The couple used to take plenty of travel trips to play tournaments, often hitting the road and popping up a tent at tournament stops along the way. After a ten-year break from the sport and a relocation to Tucson a little more than a decade ago, the self-professed “tennis addicts” dove back into the sport and have been warriors with it ever since.

We caught up with the couple from the road this month. They were in Palm Springs playing the Babolat World Tennis Classic Adult Age Group National Level 2 Tournament. We got their thoughts on how they met, how couples can play (and stay) together doing it, and why they are so gung-ho about tennis.

ActiveForever profiled members, the Abbotts. They love their tennis! And we love them!! Image courtesy of USTA Southwest.

USTASW: What got you started in tennis?

Don: We both were trying to find a fun way to get exercise. We discovered that we were both competitive. We liked the idea of trying to develop a set of skills that we could enjoy throughout our lives. Tennis was also comparatively inexpensive and a good aerobic activity.

Kathy: Before I ever met Don, a fellow chaperone of a high school ski trip asked if I played tennis. I had picked up a racquet a few times in college and thought it would be fun to play so I told her  yes. We joined a local public outdoor facility that I thought was outrageously expensive at $20 for the summer, but that was the only place she’d play because a guy that she had gone out with a few times played there. She was the one who played tennis so what could I say?

Turns out we played almost every day. Picking up a racquet and “playing” creates such bad habits. But what did I know? I was having a great time.

Go to to USTA Southwest to read the rest of the story as it appeared in the original article.