Former D1 Tennis Star Teaches Beloved Sport To Harford County Residents

BEL AIR, MD — Anyone looking for a fun form of exercise should check out Kaitlin's Greyhound Tennis in Bel Air.

Owner and former D1 college tennis player Kaitlin Loftus started the cardio tennis business as a side gig while being a stay-at-home mom of three elementary school-aged kids. She started playing tennis at the tender age of three at the pool and tennis club in her hometown. She graduated high school as team captain and ranked third in the state of Connecticut.

Loftus earned a tennis scholarship to play at Loyola University where she graced the court all four years of college. Still today she holds the record for the most singles wins in Loyola history. Inspired to share her passion for tennis with others, Loftus taught tennis lessons from her freshman year in high school through her 20s. She taught elementary school in Baltimore City for 10 years and worked at several tennis clubs teaching the sport during her summers off.

"In 2012, I became an Under Armour ambassador after winning their What’s Beautiful competition where I started a fitness club in my school empowering young girls through exercise and mental toughness. This partnership with UA was extended for five years," Loftus said.

Once she became a mom, Loftus shifted her focus to her family, which includes Madelyn, 10, Colton, 8.5, and Matthew, soon to be 7. But during the coronavirus pandemic while her husband worked from home, Loftus was able to infuse tennis back into her life. She created tennis lessons for her kids to keep them moving and once she saw others were interested, she was inspired to start her Bel Air business.

"My goal in our lessons is to make the kids have fun and love tennis, to give them a chance to be competitive in games and drills and to get exercise and realize getting fit can be fun," Loftus said.

She hasn't used any paid advertising and doesn't have a website, but her classes are at capacity every week because everyone loves it so much.

"I wanted to create a happy place for kids and adults to get exercise, learn a new sport, gain confidence, release stress and meet new friends," Loftus said.

Cardio tennis classes are available to kids age four through adults. Her students come from all across Harford County.

"People really do support local ... it is so appreciated," Loftus said.

There are several levels of classes that are offered seven days a week at Kaitlin's Greyhound Tennis.

"Shake up your fitness routine by joining a beginner or intermediate tennis class where you can burn in excess of 500 calories while having fun," Loftus said.

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