Tennis As a Passport To Cuba
I have long wanted to visit Cuba, but that became somewhat more difficult after the Trump administration tightened the restrictions on travelers from the U.S. Nevertheless, it remains possible to do so provided your travel meets one of a dozen categories, among them “support for the Cuban people.” As a journalist who covers tennis vacations–and an avid player–I generally pack a racquet in my carry-on luggage, so I was thrilled to discover that one way to support the Cuban people was to help the national tennis team by donating balls, string, racquets, unused tennis clothing–items I had lying around the apartment but that are difficult or expensive for them to obtain. Best of all we got to meet and hit with some of the very players and coaches we were helping out. My love of tennis–and tennis players–became my passport to Cuba.
