By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

HOOVER—Anyone who knows Bonnie Johnson knows she loves tennis. The real estate agent and busy grandmother of two is a regular fixture at tennis clubs across the county.

“If I’m not out selling a house, I’m playing tennis,” Johnson said with a laugh. “I’m one of the few that goes to the office in my tennis clothes. Everyone knows Bonnie Johnson plays tennis.”

Johnson first picked up a tennis racquet in college, and she hasn’t put it down since. Now, she plays up to four days a week with teams at Brook Highland Racquet Club, Pelham Racquet Club and Inverness Country Club, her home club.

A self-described “workaholic,” Johnson said tennis is an enjoyable stress reliever and break from her busy days planning and hosting open houses and house warming parties for clients.

“I work 24/7, tennis is my break, it is my sanity,” Johnson said. “My husband recognizes when I need to play tennis.”

Johnson isn’t just an avid tennis player, as a USTA 4.0 level player, she’s also a very good one. Johnson has played league tennis for 38 years in Georgia, Florida and Birmingham, and has traveled to compete at state and sectional level tournaments across the southeast.

While she enjoys the competition, what Johnson loves most are the friendships she has formed through tennis.

Johnson moved to Birmingham 20 years ago with her husband, Kelly, and two children, Travis and Leighton.

“When I moved here, I knew no one,” Johnson recalled. “I heard Pelham Tennis Center had some leagues. I started that league 20 years ago, and the very first team I joined went to the state tournament in Mobile.”

Johnson still keeps in touch with her roommate from state tournament 20 years ago, Linda Sain. She also met her doubles partner and best friend, Martha Douglas, through tennis at Inverness Country Club.

“The friendships I’ve made are the most important,” Johnson said.

In addition to keeping her fit and healthy, Johnson said tennis also helps her real estate business.

“A lot of my clients are tennis players, six homes I sold last year were tennis players,” Johnson said. “I do feel like tennis benefits my real estate, and real estate benefits my tennis. It’s a win-win.”

Johnson’s two children played tennis in high school, and she said she hopes to see her granddaughters, seven-month-old Maggie and two-and-a-half year-old Mae, play in the future.

“I just bought Mae a racquet!” Johnson said.

Johnson is currently preparing for two tournaments in October, the state tournament in Gulf Shores and the Women’s Tennis Challenge in Sandestin, Fla. She will also compete in a Pro-Am tournament at Inverness Country Club.