Unlike most of my fellow players who began playing tennis early, I started my tennis journey after college. And honestly, being a student at a community college (in a small town) wasn’t as encouraging as a beginner expects. Firstly, I knew no one who played tennis on a regular basis. Secondly, I did not know how to start playing tennis.
Last week, on a very dull afternoon, when I was sharing my struggle with my wife, she asked why I wasn’t helping people from a similar background as me. Hence, I am writing this.
I will discuss the most common question that bothers every beginner, but nobody talks about them. I will not talk about which tennis shoes to buy or which tennis racquet to use. That you can check on a tennistopshop – a website managed by my fellow player.
I will give you a different lesson.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Yup. You heard right. The first lesson on how to start playing tennis is indeed your desire to play. You may want to play tennis for recreation or go to the Olympics; it doesn’t matter. The first step is to BEGIN.
If you sit down and think hard, you may realize how long you have pushed your desire aside. Sometimes it’s your family (I know how some parents dislike their kids to waste time playing), sometimes it’s a job, but at most times, it’s your excuse.
Get up and tell yourself aloud: get; set; go.
Trust me. As an avid sports enthusiast, I know. Tennis is the best game out there. You may be a 17-year-old or a 50-year-old; it simply doesn’t matter. Any given day, you can get up and hit the tennis court. Especially if you want to play for recreation, don’t think twice.
Imagine this game will not only ensure your fitness but also keep your social life intact.
What do you need to start playing tennis?
Dear reader, don’t make the same obvious mistake every beginner makes: buying the same tennis racquet that Federer or Djokovic used.
No, don’t do that. In contrast, you can seek inspiration from whoever you want but never try to become a Djokovic in a single day because they weren’t a legend when they started.
Let me make it clear for once and all. You don’t need the same equipment as the celebrity players, especially if you are a recreational player. See, I am not diminishing amateurs. All I am trying to say is that you can start playing tennis with whatever equipment you have.
You don’t need the best tennis racquet from a costly brand.
If you have a racquet with decent strings, you have more than enough. If you have a good pair of sneakers with a durable sole, it’s more than enough to hit the court. Even the absence of a court cannot stop the player in you. As a beginner, I played on a concrete lawn with just a wall.
I am not saying that you don’t need better quality equipment. All I am saying is that you should start playing with whatever you have at the moment. Later on, obviously, gradually, you can improve.
However, if you are planning to play professionally in the future, you may need a different kind of start. I suggest you begin by settling down with a particular type of court and then buy shoes accordingly. If you want to on a grass court, go with the best tennis shoes for grass courts. Even if you can’t manage to get court-specific shoes initially, I guess it’s manageable. But always try to wear tennis shoes.
After you know your court type and shoe type, it’s time to think about racquets. Using an arm friendly tennis racquet is essential for professional players. Without the best tennis racquet on the court, you are more prone to tennis injuries.
The tennis ball is another vital piece of equipment. Remember, in the beginning, it’s okay if you don’t get the most suitable equipment. But always try to use tennis products because this way you are more likely not to get injured.
Next, find a professional player or a coach
This tip is only for those who want to have a tennis-related career. I think it’s more than enough to have the zeal, to begin with, whatever you have. But at the same time, try finding a professional player or a coach who can guide you. And small-town players like me may find it very hard. I understand that.
But, hey, you have the biggest perk—the internet. If you can’t find any professional to take training, why not start playing tennis by taking lessons from the internet? Of course, I realize it’s not a permanent solution. But for starters, you can take tips from YouTube or other websites. You can look up how to hold a racquet properly or the types of tennis shots.
However, it’s always best if you can get hold of professionals. You can also lookup for tennis organizations or tennis clubs around you. Taking tennis classes from a professional player can be a very good way to start playing tennis.
RULES
Any game is particularly based on a set of rules. As per tennis, the rules aren’t rocket science, and you can learn them pretty easily. In my case, I learnt most tennis rules by watching professional matches on TV. Most tennis enthusiasts follow international matches of their favourite players. If you also have to do the same, you have already started your tennis journey. But if you don’t watch tennis matches yet, I must say you should.
Learning tennis is also similar to learning a language. Once you start surrounding yourself with tennis matches, people, and groups, you are going to learn sooner than you can think.
I suggest you learn how to keep score as well. For this, either you can Google and find out, or you can talk to a professional.
PRACTISE
As I said earlier that learning tennis is like learning a language. It would help if you practised a lot. First, you can begin with whatever equipment you have, but slowly you need to upgrade. Make a timetable, find a friend or a fellow player, and hit the court regularly. Although I suggest beginners start with small goals, I think it’s necessary to keep practising for longer sessions in order to improve quickly.
Practice with professionals. You may fail to make a score, you may find it frustrating, but it’s necessary to practice with experienced players. This will not only help you learn new techniques but also boost your performance magically.
WORKOUT
Yes, you heard it right. Playing tennis isn’t enough to get better in tennis. You need to work out regularly. Try cardio and sprint workouts. You can also try high-intensity interval training. In addition to buying strength, exercising regularly will also help you increase your stamina and build endurance capacity.
To conclude, I think you can start playing tennis right away if you want. Don’t worry about other things. You will learn about racquets and shoes, and balls as you advance in your tennis journey. Play because you love tennis.
