Serve, Sip, & Slay: Tennis Bae

If you ever wondered what a perfect day in Los Angeles looks like, let me paint it for you: sun hitting just right, a mansion backyard transformed into a tennis paradise, music bumping, cocktails flowing, and the most stylish, joyful Black men and women all around. That was my Saturday at Love Tennis LA in Tarzana, and honey… it was everything.

I had never played tennis in my life... not once. But there I was, racquet in hand, learning how to serve, volley, and actually not embarrass myself on the court. Thanks to the real-deal professional coaches, I got some serious pointers, and by the end of my first session? I was feeling like I might actually have a future in tennis (okay, maybe a small future). While some of us were figuring out forehands and backhands, the backyard was buzzing with life.

Music curated perfectly — the kind that makes you move without thinking, floated over from the speakers. Barbecue smoke mixed with the scent of fresh fruit, and somewhere along the way, I tried a jello shot for the first time. Yes, me, Pynnderella, stepping into a new kind of weekend indulgence. Don’t worry, I stayed classy… mostly.

The vibe was pure Black luxury and leisure. Beautiful, confident men and women were laughing, chatting, splashing in the pool, and enjoying the small pleasures: sangria, lemon drops, and all the fruit you could want. There was no rush, no agenda — just a celebration of space, health, and connection.

What really got me? The friendships formed in a day. I met people I wouldn’t have crossed paths with otherwise, bonded over missed serves, shared laughs about the jello shot, and maybe, just maybe, found some future tennis partners. There’s something magical about learning something new surrounded by people who elevate your energy, it’s exactly what Love Tennis LA delivers.

By the time the sun started to dip, and the last volley was served, I felt accomplished in ways that had nothing to do with tennis. It was the kind of day that reminds you to live fully, laugh loudly, and try things you’ve never tried before. And yes… the mansion, the music, the cocktails, the friends — all of it made me feel like I was living in my own little luxe fantasy, and I didn’t want it to end.

If you ever get the invite to a Love Tennis LA day, take it. Bring your racquet, your energy, and a little curiosity, and leave ready to feel like the best version of yourself in the sun.

The culture moves fast, but my ink is quicker.

-Pynnderella, The Fairytale Connoissuer.