Where Do They Go? The Post-Teen Drop-Off

Somewhere between the energy of junior competition and the steadier rhythm of adult leagues, a quiet gap opens. Many players who have played for years — talented, confident, committed — start to drift away from the court. By the time they’re 19, their racquets are often packed away.

At Khandallah Tennis and Squash Club, we’ve noticed it too. Some of our most promising young athletes — players who once anchored interclub teams, inspired younger kids, and brought vibrancy to club nights — have disappeared from the weekly rhythm of play. And we miss them. Not just for their skill, but for the leadership, laughter, and role-modelling they bring.

So, why does this happen?

The Transition Years

Nineteen to twenty-five is a period of intense change. Many leave for university, travel, or move into full-time work. Sport — once structured around coaching, competitions, and parental lifts — suddenly has to compete with study deadlines, social lives, tight budgets, and shifting priorities. Courts and clubs become harder to access, teams harder to form, and time scarcer.

The “Belonging” Factor

Junior tennis and squash are often team-based and social. There are group trainings, interclub rosters, club nights, and a steady presence of friends. But adult play can look different — more individual, less guided, and sometimes intimidating for those without established networks. For many players — and particularly for young women — that sense of belonging seems to play a big role in whether they stay.

Confidence and Competence

We also hear from young women who say they “aren’t good enough” anymore — as if skill level determines right of entry. Somewhere along the way, the message shifts from 'come play, have fun' to 'you need to be competitive to belong'. That’s a loss not just for the players but for the culture of our clubs, which thrive on inclusivity.

Structures That Don’t Quite Fit

Traditional interclub formats can be rigid. Fixed days or nights, travel, early starts, and multi-hour commitments can clash with work or study. If you can’t commit to every week, there’s often no middle ground — no social league with flexibility, no “play when you can” model.

Yet, perhaps there could be?

The Invitation Back

We’d love to see these players — our former juniors, our once-regulars, our nearly-teams — back at the club in any capacity. Whether that’s playing a shorter format, forming social squads, or simply dropping in for casual games over the summer.

Because the passion doesn’t disappear. It just gets buried under life’s logistics.

Over to You

We don’t pretend to have all the answers, but we want to start the conversation.

• What would make it easier — or more appealing — for people in their 20s to return to tennis or squash?

• What would the ideal playing format look like if it truly fit around your lifestyle, rather than the other way around?

• Is affordability a barrier? Or is it more about connection — finding others to play with and feel part of a community?

We’d love to hear your thoughts — drop us a comment, send a message, or come chat with us at the Club. Let’s find a way to bring this amazing generation of players back, on their own terms, and reignite that buzz around the courts!