Bani-Saaid makes some ‘racquet’ about tennis

His name might be difficult to spell, but Hassan Bani-Saaid is an extremely easy person to talk to – especially when the topic is tennis. 

As co-director of tennis at the Renaissance Health & Racquet Club in Houma, he spends the bulk of each day teaching the fundamentals of a sport he has lived and breathed for many years. 

The Sports Net served up an enlightening conversation with Bani-Saaid last week just before he was about to give a lesson. 

Sports Net: How long have you been the co-director of tennis at the Renaissance Health & Racquet Club? 

Hassan Bani-Saaid: I just got the job a month ago, but worked as a head pro and assistant pro for about 10 years. 

SN: Seems like a pretty enjoyable line of work. 

HB: Overall it is. I wanted to play some college tennis, but it never happened. This job kind of fell on my lap. 

SN: So what is a typical day like for you? 

HB: About 10 to 12 hours a day of lessons during summer, and about seven to eight during the school year. 

SN: That’s a busy schedule. What do you do when you finally get home? 

HB: Just hang out with my wife and two children. I have a girl that is 3 years old and a little boy that is 4 months old. 

SN: Get a chance to watch any of the action from Wimbledon this week? 

HB: I’ve been watching it for a couple of hours every day. 

SN: What do you think? 

HB: It’s just not the same without (Andre) Agassi. That’s who I’ve always liked the best. 

SN: But who do you like to win this year? 

HB: Probably (Roger) Federer. I don’t think there is anyone around who can beat him. 

SN: When we watch Federer, are we witnessing one of the greatest champions in all of sports? 

HB: Present day, yeah.

The athletes we have today in other sports are pretty good, but tennis involves excellent eye-hand coordination as well as a big fitness aspect.

I think he has both.

Kobe Bryant might dominate, but Federer really dominates in tennis. 

SN: Who do you like to win for the women? 

HB: I think Venus (Williams) is going to win. 

SN: Are you like the majority of male spectators who are particularly enamored with Maria Sharapova? 

HB: She’s OK. She’s alright. I prefer the athleticism of (Justine) Henin over the looks of Sharapova. 

SN: At least you have to say that so you stay out of trouble with your wife. 

HB: (Laughs) Yeah. 

SN: Did you come to tennis on your own, or did someone else push you toward the game? 

HB: I came to it on my own. I’m from Patterson, La., and they had a recreation league every summer. One summer they introduced tennis and I decided to play it. 

SN: Like any other sports? 

HB: I like to watch football – I’m a big Saints fan. And I like to play basketball. 

SN: Is there any way to survive the humid Louisiana summers on the tennis courts? 

HB: I drink 140 to 160 ounces of water. That’s the difference because I used to drink a lot of caffeine. But I cut that out. 

SN: What is it that attracts you to tennis as a player, coach and spectator? 

HB: At the recreational level, it’s being able to be a part of something that will give me a workout, as well as being a part of something that’s fun. Working out and running is boring to me. 

At the higher level, it gives me a chance to watch some world class athletes that could probably play other sports but chose to play tennis. 

Editor’s Note: Roger Federer and Venus Williams both won Wimbledon titles over the weekend, just as Bani-Saai predicted.

Hassan Bani-Saaid lobs a basket of balls to youth tennis players at the Renaissance Health & Racquet Club.

• Photo by CHRIS SCARNATI (Tri-Parish Times)