I can't tell you how many times I've heard tennis players voice these complaints:

• I wish I could play tennis more than just once or twice a month, but I don't have anyone to play with.
• I have people to play with, but there are never any courts available.
• I've been playing with the same friends for years, and would love to amp up my game which has gone flat from being limited to "friendly" tennis with the same people.

If you can relate to any of these, then you really should consider joining a tennis league. Not only is it an excellent way to sharpen your on-court skills, but it'll have you on the courts more often, meeting new people and getting into better shape (it's true!).

Still not quite sure whether league tennis is for you? Here are just some of the benefits you can expect:

You'll improve your game.

One of the biggest benefits of joining a tennis league is that the more you play, the sharper and more refined your overall tennis skills will get. Each match will be a hands-on lesson as you play against numerous opponents, which have varying styles of play, skill sets and experience levels.

You can also learn from sitting on the sidelines as you watch and cheer on your team mates. I actually learned how to hit a "dipper" (a heavy top-spin shot that lands at your opponent's feet) from watching an opponent in a later match after mine was over. Every time my team mate served and came in for a volley, the opponent hit the dipper right at her feet, and she couldn't get it back. (Oh yeah... that's a shot I had to have in my arsenal!) So, I practiced what I saw, and now I have a great weapon to use against opponents who like to rush the net.

You'll spend more time on the courts.

Wouldn't it be great if you could always find a hitting partner and/or an open court for a game of tennis? In league tennis, matches are scheduled on reserved courts at specific times each week. Not only that, but the different leagues (ie. USTA leagues, in-house club leagues, etc.) have different designated days (nights and weekends, too) for play. This allows players to choose the league(s) that best suits their busy schedules, so that instead of sitting at home, playing the "waiting game", they'll be out on the courts, playing tennis!

You'll make new friends.

As a member of a tennis league, you'll connect with people who love the game just as much as you do. Being a part of a team gives you endless opportunities to build solid friendships with your fellow teammates, which can go a long way in terms of encouragement, support and even networking - both on and off the court. I met my best friend on the tennis court over 13 years ago, and she's been my permanent doubles partner on one of my leagues ever since!

It's a great way to get (and stay) in shape.

I've blogged about this many times before... tennis is one of the few sports which benefits the entire body. It not only gives you a great cardiovascular workout, but it also improves your strength, speed, balance and coordination. And it's fun, to boot! So, if you're looking for a way to squeeze in a little more exercise fun at least once during a hectic work week, league tennis is a great option.

You'll learn important life skills.

Let's be honest... the daily grind of working life can sometimes dull our senses, making us tired, cranky and unmotivated. While you're sharpening the various aspects of your tennis game in league, you'll also be developing important life skills that will be applicable in both on-court and off-court situations, including how to handle pressure, how to make quick (and accurate) decisions, and how to win (and lose) gracefully.

There are many benefits in playing league tennis, with many different types of leagues you can join - USTA sanctioned leagues, flex leagues, in-house club leagues, and even neighborhood park leagues; you can also play singles, doubles and/or mixed doubles. Considering all of these options, one of them is sure to be right for you!