HEIDELBERG, Germany - "Come to the ball. Move your feet. Now for your backhand. Good." Five-year-old Hannah Ismail is in top form on this cloudy and unseasonably cool June morning.
She follows her father's instructions precisely, hence a stray tennis ball, which narrowly missed making contact with the side of this reporter's head. The pair dart up and down the clay courts of the Heidelberg Tennis Center on Patrick Henry Village practicing.
Adel Ismail is Hannah's father, and he is also the manager of the Heidelberg Tennis Center. Only moments after meeting him, one can safely assume this is a man who has found his true passion in life and it's one he happily shares with his family.
Ismail's animated gestures, youthful energy and infectious smile are also further proof of his love affair with the sport of tennis.
"I enjoy this," Ismail said. "My dad was a tennis coach, and I grew up playing on clay tennis courts in Egypt. I love the game, I love to work with tennis, and I love to be outside."
Despite the long hours and a grueling seven-day work week schedule, Ismail says he enjoys his job.
Originally from Egypt, Ismail has been a fixture of the Heidelberg community since 1986 teaching, coaching and mentoring legions of players.
When the center was in danger of closing in 2000, Ismail and his family agreed to take over the day-to-day operations and manage it. A decade later the doors are still open thanks to Ismail and his dedicated staff that includes little Hannah.
Ismail's wife Wafaa, 11-year-old daughter Yasmin, and his 13-year-old son Karim, all work together to keep the center running. They do everything from cleaning the courts to rounding up stray tennis balls.
"I am a lucky guy because that's the way I grew up, and I want my kids to be here to do the same," Ismail said. "I don't ever want to feel like I'm not making time for them.
"I also work very long hours, so it's very important I have my wife with me here helping me and my kids with me. I don't like going home, and they didn't see me all day. They are always with me, and I like that."
Naturally every member of the close-knit clan can backhand with the best of them, especially Karim.
The teen won the adult men's championship in the Heidelberg Spring Open last year and routinely plays against adults in tournaments across Germany. He's the third generation of Ismails to play the sport competitively.
Ismail was on the Egyptian National Tennis Team and says he's a staunch advocate of teaching tennis to young people.
"I used to come from school, do my homework at the club and then go play," Ismail said. "That was a nice environment. Nowadays it's different ... computers and things. The tennis club was something very special for us."
Ismail says playing tennis has taught many of his young students lessons they can carry into adulthood.
"Tennis is a gentleman sport, as I like to say," he said. "We don't have bad language or somebody screaming. It's good behavior here. There is respect here. My goal is to make sure the kids understand the rules and that it remains a gentlemen's sport.
"People come to the Tennis Center to have fun, and I am going to make sure they have fun."
When asked who his favorite professional tennis player is, Ismail's face lights up instantly before he offers his answer.
"Roger Federer," he said. "He's a super star. He lost in the French Open, who cares. I say that happens sometimes. That's OK. He's cool on the court ... and he's good for the kids to watch to learn how he handles the pressure of the game."
As Hannah scurries to pick up the last of the remaining tennis balls from their practice session, Ismail and the rest of his family finish up the last of their individual duties before heading out to watch Karim play in his latest tournament.
"Tennis is the greatest sport, and it's for life. You can play whether you're 80 years old or 8," Ismail said. "I am a lucky guy. Look at me, I am 60 years old and I still play. One of these days I'll be in the French Open, wait and see ... it's just a matter of time."
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