MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Yes, John McEnroe, MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, is serious.
Tennis has hit center court here, and resident tennis pro Connie Zepeda, a former nationally ranked collegiate player at Texas Wesleyan University and winner of the Hawaii Open, is on a mission to bring the sport to the forefront of base athletics.
"Marines have a reputation for being the toughest there is," said Zepeda, a Fort Worth, Texas native. "And let me tell you, there is no tougher sport than tennis.
"You've got to use your brain, make split second decisions, and be in outstanding physical shape."
Assistant tennis pro Blaison Hazard, a former standout at the University of Connecticut, said he couldn't agree more.
"Some people might think tennis is a 'pansy' sport," said Hazard, a Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands native. "Nothing could be further from the truth.
"There are no substitutions in tennis. You've got to gut everything out. It's a tough sport for those who are up to it."
If it sounds like Zepeda and Hazard are offering up a challenge of sorts, it's because they are.
"We offer free lessons on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.," said Zepeda. "Tennis is great physical training, and units are welcome to start coming out and playing tennis as an alternative means of PT.
"I'd like to see more service members take advantage of our programs."
With six tennis courts on base open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, there are ample opportunities for would-be tennis players to work on their games, noted Hazard.
Currently, there are about 15 students enrolled in the tennis program here, mostly youth and family members.
"With the youth program, we concentrate on teaching the children more than just tennis," said Zepeda. "The emphasis is on sportsmanship, camaraderie, and friendship.
"Don't get me wrong though, we're turning out some pretty good tennis players too."
According to tennis student Lauren Shin, 15, the program requires a lot of hard work.
"Tennis is kind of like life," said the Kamehameha High School sophomore. "You get out of it what you put into it."
For Kelly Domingo, 10, the rewards are worth the hard work.
"I'm really starting to get a lot better thanks to the lessons," said the Sacred Hearts Academy fifth grader. "Plus, I've made a lot of great friends, thanks to tennis lessons, and I'm having so much fun."
And that, according to Domingo's mother Esmeralda is what the youth tennis program is all about.
"As a parent, it means a great deal to me that my children are learning not only a wonderful sport, but also tools they can carry with them the rest of their lives - including fair play, sportsmanship, and respect for their competitors," said the elder Domingo. "The program here at the Marine base is exceptional."
The only thing missing, it seems, is the Marines.
"I really do hope the Marines and other service members come out and give the tennis program we have here a shot," said Zepeda. "They'll be glad they did."