Finding one’s calling is sometimes easy.
“I started playing tennis at the age of seven, and my father actually taught me in the beginning,” explains USTA Georgia Adult Programs Coordinator Lindsey Davila. “Both of my parents, as well as my two older brothers played. So it was only natural that I followed suit.”
After 10 years with USTA Georgia, Davila, who was born in Rhode Island and spent time living in Georgia and Ohio says she keeps growing personally and professionally.
What started as trips to her neighborhood tennis courts fostered years of junior and high school tennis and then the college tennis experience.
“We lived right across the street from the tennis courts, and my dad would take me out often and hit tennis balls back and forth. We had a basement with a cement wall that I would constantly hit against as well. I played junior tennis in Marietta, then moved to Ohio and continued playing there. I played all four years of varsity tennis in high school and two years of college varsity tennis at Kennesaw State University. Go Owls!”
Sports and specifically tennis have given Davila a chance to make a career out of her passion.
“Tennis has always been my biggest passion,” states Davila. “After graduating from college in 2008 (one of the worst times to find a job), I focused on joining a company, or organization that was important to me and one which I truly wanted to be a part of. USTA was an obvious choice and luck was on my side when I applied for and received this opportunity. Prior to my USTA Georgia experience, I had only seen tennis from the players side and I wanted to be the one that created the experiences for others.”
Davila continues to create, through organizing, teaching and serving as an ambassador for tennis.
“My absolute favorite and rewarding part of tennis is teaching kids, particularly the 8 & under age division. When I was in college, I would teach junior summer camp at St. Marlo Country Club with Scott Stubbs. Everyone always wanted to teach the older, or upper level juniors, but not me! Please give me the beginner-5-year olds any day. It does take a lot of patience, but they have to start somewhere. To me, there is something amazing about teaching a child who has never played the sport and seeing their face light up when they’ve made a shot.”
Davila is most proud of her involvement and bringing to fruition the Georgia Tri-Level Championships in LaGrange.
“The Tri-Level leagues started out as local leagues,” said Davila. “I saw potential and suggested we add a Tri-Level State Championship. We went to LaGrange and started it from the ground up. Everyone wanted to see it succeed from day one, and now this will be year number seven.”
Now married and raising two daughters, Davila said the mix of tennis in her personal and professional lives makes for a terrific balance. She also feels like the staff at the USTA Georgia office is like a second family.
“It really has given me perspective on what’s important in life and it has shown me just how significant this sport is to so many people. I’ve seen teams who have been together for years who, through tennis, have created incredible friendships. Teams that have pulled each other through cancer, divorce, etc. It really does create lifelong relationships, and it’s amazing to see and hear their stories.”
She found her calling.
By Rick Limpert, Special to USTA Georgia
