Former NASCAR Driver Danica Patrick Swaps Racing for Tennis Lessons

Danica Patrick, the trailblazing former NASCAR and IndyCar racer, is steering her energy into a new pursuit: tennis. At 42, the retired motorsports icon has announced she's taking up tennis lessons, citing the sport's potential long-term health benefits as a major motivator.

Tennis, it seems, isn't just a game of aces and volleys. A 2018 study from Denmark, highlighted by Forbes, found that regularly playing racket sports like tennis could significantly extend one's lifespan. According to the study, "All racket sports — along with active sports like basketball and soccer — are believed to help increase lifespan, though tennis stands out among them all." Who knew a racket could be so life-enhancing?

Patrick shared her enthusiasm on Instagram, posting a video discussing the benefits of racket sports. A simple caption summed it up: "Hence the tennis lessons." Talk about a pivot from the fast lane to the baseline.

This isn't Patrick's first foray into a new sport. Around two years ago, she decided to pick up golf, sharing her journey on social media. "I thought I finally had it figured out last fall. Then I forgot how to hit my driver to start the year off… Until about 10 days ago. I remembered just as mysteriously as I forgot," she revealed in a humorous Instagram post. Clearly, the learning curve hasn't deterred her adventurous spirit.

Of course, Danica Patrick is no stranger to breaking barriers. As the most successful woman in auto racing history, she became the first female driver to win a pole in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR's highest level. Since retiring in 2018, she's continued to explore new ways to challenge herself.

Whether it's a racetrack, a golf course, or a tennis court, one thing's for sure: Patrick knows how to keep life interesting.