AFTER COVID-19 changed the world in 2020, Alexandra Avila was one of the many Americans who sought the socially distanced salvation of their local tennis courts. During the pandemic, the publicist moved from Manhattan to sleepy Nyack in upstate New York, picking up a racket for the first time in a bid to hack her way out of the long grass of lockdown.

“I noticed these tennis courts a block from my new house, and just got talking to a coach through the fence one morning,” said Ms. Avila, 34, who works in the luxury travel industry. “The next day I was on the court for my first lesson at 5:30 a.m., and I haven’t looked back since. I’ve completely fallen in love with the sport...I now own three rackets.”

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