By Siobhan Schaeffer, Thursday Women’s League Vice President
Thursday mornings mean one thing for more than 13,000 women across Metro Atlanta: It’s ALTA match day. But if you think it’s only about forehands and volleys, think again. For these women, tennis is just the beginning. What happens after the final point is often just as meaningful as anything that happens on the court.
From post-match lunches and celebratory drinks to matching outfits and festive holiday traditions, ALTA’s Thursday Women’s League has built a vibrant social culture that turns competition into connection. Across the region, you will find players gathered under covered pavilions, relaxing on clubhouse patios, cheering on their teammates, sharing food and laughs, and occasionally a mimosa or two.
But at its core, ALTA is about more than tennis racquets and levels; it’s about relationships. Many women join for the tennis but ultimately stay for the friendships. It has become a welcome space to recharge, connect, and belong. That sense of camaraderie often extends to the competition. While matches are competitive, the post-match rituals, such as handshakes, laughter, and shared snacks, remind everyone that tennis is the vehicle, not the destination.
Some teams have played together for decades and have woven deep traditions into their weekly routines. It is not unusual to see players celebrating birthdays or baby showers courtside. And when playoffs roll around, win or lose, you can find teams dining together at local restaurants or gathering for end-of-season parties.
Thursday Women’s teams across Atlanta are once again filling out their rosters, planning lessons, and blocking off their Thursday mornings. Whether you are returning with a seasoned crew or forming a brand-new squad, fall season is destined to be one of the most social and spirited seasons of the year.
The competition will be fierce, but the real magic lies in the moments in between: the shared laughter, the inside jokes, and the friendships that grow stronger every season. Because in ALTA, especially on Thursdays, what begins on the court does not end with the final point. It becomes something worth celebrating: a joyful tradition, a vibrant community, and a season full of memories that last long after the last match is played.
