Tricia Denzer—2019 Adult Recreational Player of the Year

Tricia Denzer won the 2019 USTA Missouri Adult Recreational Player of the Year award. She is so much more than a player, though.

Denzer lives in Branson, where she is helping coordinate tennis programs for the city and grow the sport in the Tri-Lakes Area.

“The City of Branson will offer lessons, drop-in play and tournaments for youth, women, men and mixed doubles as soon as the parks open back up,” Denzer said. “The City of Branson will have information on their RecPlex website soon, along with my contact information and a monthly calendar of activities.”

A three-sport athlete in high school, Denzer didn’t start playing tennis until after college. That wasn’t necessarily by choice.

“I’ve been playing tennis for over 25 years,” she said. “I would’ve played earlier, but tennis wasn’t an option in the community I grew up in. I didn’t have anyone to hit with, so I started playing against a wall after work.”

That led to a love of the sport that turned into teaching the game to both young people and adults. She plays, too, of course, and has competed in Springfield and beyond, mostly with the same group of women. That group now includes her daughter, Tawny, who has played two seasons of varsity tennis at Branson High School.

“Now she will play with me and we played on a USTA team together last summer,” Denzer said. “Our 18+ team was able to advance to sectionals and it was fun to experience getting to play with Tawny on the same team.”

Denzer has been a league captain for three years and a coordinator for one. Those are roles she’s enjoyed and hopes to continue. She also serves on two committees for tennis in Missouri: the Adult Competition Committee and the Adult Play Committee.

“I started being a captain because I wanted to play more tennis and this was a way to accomplish that goal,” she said. “I help USTA Missouri find players, start leagues and courts. I plan on becoming a Tournament Director this spring.”

May is National Health & Fitness Month. Tennis has been a big part of staying healthy and fit for Denzer. It can do the same for you. Start with playing against a wall, move on to playing with friends and keep going.

“Tennis is a life-long sport and it’s a way for me to stay physically active,” Denzer said. “I started an 18+ team because many high school girls don’t have the opportunity to play tennis after graduation. Tennis provides a physical activity that keeps them busy and active during college. I also walk, jog, and swim, but tennis is by far my favorite activity. Tennis has personally helped me lose weight over the years.”