Sports

Atlanta is widely acknowledged as the tennis capital of the world, with more than 100,000 players throughout the metro area in leagues such as the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) and USTA Atlanta. It’s near impossible to get an exact number, with those participating in junior tennis, high school, and college teams, as well as those who play independently or in private clubs, adding to the tennis craze.

I’m not an athlete, but as I climb further into my 30s, I find myself caring more about physical fitness. The thing is, I need to have fun doing it. Chasing and hitting a ball is fun, plus there’s a social aspect. Last summer, I joined an ALTA league, unlocking a world of tennis I didn’t know existed in Atlanta. Starting a new sport can feel overwhelming, but fear not; I’m here to help you.

Yes, the Atlanta Open was not the best venue for tennis, though I do also see its temporary structure, and existence, as a sign: Commitment is important, for both the people with the checkbooks and pens, and the fans.

The women’s pro volleyball team Atlanta Vibe started its second season in January, and it really is a vibe. The Vibe is one of eight teams in the Pro Volleyball Federation, a women’s professional league that launched in January 2024. The new league reflects a recent explosion of growth for American professional volleyball, which struggled for decades to attract investment and fans.

At the age of 50, I joined a women’s rugby football club and found a true sense of camaraderie.

I was a tennis warrior until the game wore out my knees; after surgery, I yearn to get back on the courts.

As part of the buildup to the PGA Tour’s ultimate contest, officials with the Tour Championship have described East Lake Golf Club’s course renovation by celebrated designer Andrew Green as a pivotal moment and new era not just for Atlanta and the Tour—but for the game of golf itself.

An Atlanta skater named Sweet ‘n Sour shoves her way past players from rival team Terminus like a human Tetris block. She pushes and jumps her way to securing the lead—only to fall. She’ll get back up and try on a future lap, because it’s just the beginning of the first bout of Atlanta Roller Derby’s 20th season, now in a new home at Agnes Scott College.

On Friday, the torch will blaze for the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. After years of preparation and months of qualifying, Atlanta athletes representing the U.S. and abroad will compete on the world stage in over a dozen sports. Here, a breakdown of just some of the many Atlanta athletes who have made this year's Olympics, their relationship with the city, and when to watch them with pride:

At Maven Baseball Lab, hitters and pitchers undergo a 12-swing or 12-pitch assessment under the eyes of 16 cameras, which produce data on biomechanics, spin rate, vertical break, and more. Maven’s client list includes Braves players Matt Olson, Max Fried, and A.J. Minter, along with other MLB stars like Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt.