—We have all heard Aryna Sabalenka groan as she hits the ball, and we’ve witnessed Carlitos Alcaraz with a coy smile after hitting a perfect dropshot, or Jannik Sinner, who has sort of the grimace of a middle-aged man with the power and authority of youthful perfection.
But what about Longboat Key? What about all of the Type-A personalities who come together each year at the end of the busy season at the Longboat Key Club for a grand finale: the 2026 Tennis Doubles Championship? It was as if all of the months of lessons, all of the practice, and the hopes and dreams of a lifetime coalesced for a few brief minutes on the courts at the Longboat Key Club last weekend.
The weather was perfect. The wind was not too strong, and the mimosas were flowing for the crowd. It is the perfect blend of camaraderie and friendship, but deep inside, everyone is fighting and wanting to win. After all, age is an enemy when you get past 50 years old, and how many more tournaments, how many more times can we dig deep for the visceral chance to dominate and destroy our opponents?
It was great tennis. It was fun for the crowds. There were numerous tiebreaks and heartbreaks, and in the end, the victors live on in the trophy case, while the rest of us mortal humans refuse to talk about the loss that will haunt us for the next 12 months.
Congratulations to all of the 2026 Tennis Doubles Club Champions!
Photos courtesy of The Longboat Key Club.
