Love match

“I’m open to playing a doubles for life,” says Belinda Huang, a single twenty thing that enjoys the natural way of developing relationships on the tennis court. She is a member of TMAC, a club offering tennis matches and providing social activities out of court. If you see the same faces week after week, I can develop friendships, and sometimes love, organically, she says, without the pressure of a first date.

TMAC founder Prince Boucher best puts it: “Play is the way; Love is the purpose. ”While TMAC was not created as an appointment center, the emphasis on fun, inclusivity and community led to many relationships. The club has about 1,000 rotating members.

For those who are not actively looking for romance, TMAC is still a social lifeline. One member, who just gave her first name, MJ, shared that she has never used dating apps and prefers to meet people through shared activities. “It’s refreshing to connect about something you both love, rather than trying to force a spark through a screen.”

Sean Lee and Jina Zhu were already a couple when they joined TMAC, but they were inspired to have a tennis-themed proposal thanks to the group. The ring is hidden in a custom tennis ball-shaped box.