5 Tennis Tips for Beginners
I love exercise that doesn’t feel like exercise.
Participating in activities that are fun and social, yet also get your blood pumping, is my favorite way to “exercise.”
I’d choose an afternoon of beach volleyball or a dance class over lifting weights alone in the gym any day.
So when Play Your Court offered to give me and the hubs a chance to try out their service and get a doubles tennis lesson, naturally I was game.
Play Your Court is a website that helps connect tennis newbies and seasoned athletes alike with pros in their area based on their goals. You’re able to check the ratings on the suggested instructor and see reviews from other players.
The hubs and I were set up with an instructor named Tark. He started off by asking us about our experience and our goals for the session. We told him that we both love playing tennis — we’re just not that great at it. Luckily, that was something Tark said he could help change.
After an hour of practicing, we both walked away with new insight on improving our game, and a commitment to hit the court at least once a week.
Although I have some experience with tennis, I clearly still have a lot to learn. Tark taught me several things that I didn’t know prior to the lesson, that are very important for beginners.
Looking to up your game? Here are the top five tennis tips I learned for beginner tennis players:
1. Always be on your toes.
It’s important to be ready to move in this fast-paced game. By staying on your toes while waiting for a serve, instead of flat-footed, you’ll be able to react quicker.
2. Keep a loose grip.
Tark says that if someone were to freeze you mid-swing, they should be able to easily pull the racquet from your hands. You want to keep a loose grip so that the momentum of the swing and the racquet are driving the ball, not your wrist.
3. Use your whole body for power.
Just like in other sports, you really want to bring your whole body into the movement. Going back to the loose wrist, the power comes from the momentum, created by the total body — not just the wrist.
4. When you’re practicing, think about your form, but when you’re playing, just play.
After some instruction and form work, the hubs and I had a mini match. At first I noticed I was getting thrown off by trying to remember each of the instructions Tark gave me. I told him and he advised me to stop thinking about the form and just play. Getting in your head too much can keep you from playing your best.
5. Have fun.
This is something I highly encourage for all forms of exercise. Fitness should be fun, not punishment. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, you’re never going to stick with it. The same is true for sports. If you find yourself getting too caught up in the competition and not enjoying the activity, it defeats the purpose.
Regardless of our skill level, the hubs and I always have a lot of fun. And as bonus, it’s nice to know we’re getting a great workout. An hour of tennis burns around 400-600 calories — just as much as your average cardio class.
We’re hoping to improve on our game with our weekly sessions, but we’re also aware that taking lessons once a week, won’t turn us into pros. Tark suggests practicing about 2-3 hours a week in between lessons to really up your game.
If you’re looking to try tennis for the first time or simply improve your current skills, check out Play Your Court for affordable lessons in your area.
Weigh In: Do you play tennis? Any other tennis tips you would add?
*This post is sponsored by Play Your Court but all opinions are my own. Shoes + outfit by Adidas.
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says:
Love your outfit. Way better than traditional tennis “whites”!
Whitney English says:
Thanks babe!! I’m dying to get a tennis skirt for next time though :)
Lauren says:
I haven’t tried tennis before but it looks fun! I like boxing and hiking as alternatives to the gym.
Whitney English says:
Two of my favs as well!
Dona says:
Very informative! It’s true that we can have lots of fun from playing tennis, because the healthy feelings of enjoyment, competitiveness and physical challenge will inherent in this sport.
April says:
I really liked your tip on using the whole body! I’ve really been focusing on moving with my hips the past times I’ve played and it’s made a huge difference!
Brooklyn says:
Really this is huge appropriate tips here. I like your tips very much. I will try to follow this important tips. Have any more idea for a beginner? Thanks to Whitney for sharing your vital article.
Allison says:
Bring a tennis pro, I highly recommend you not grip the racquet so high on the handle along with never putting your left hand up on the strings like that under the caption of “just have fun”. If you’re going to be in the ready position like that, both hands on the handle always. I agree with the loose grip but majority of the “power” on your shots come from building in your legs, not your entire body. You can definitely use your entire body, just make sure you’re doing it properly to avoid injury which happens to many beginners if left unsupervised by a tennis professional. I would also recommend getting a real racquet and not something from a sporting goods store/department store if you plan on wanting to become better at tennis.
SARA says:
Your tips are amazing I am using these tips to improve my tennis games.
besttennisguru says:
Tennis is not an easy game. But when you started playing this game you will start loving it. Your tips for beginners are awesome. Don’t add grip to your racquet it is not good choice for most the people.
MarkUltra says:
I don’t like sports games at all, I like computer games more because they are much more interesting. I think you should pay attention to a great website https://dmarket.com/csgo-skins/product-card/karambit-slaughter on which I started buying skins for cs go, I really like the game and like that you can diversify it.
Sam Jonson says:
Can you tell me a site where you can bet on tennis and football?
Emory Scott says:
Hi guys. I prefer to make money on sports betting, because I understand this and always do an analysis before making bets. It is quite interesting and profitable. There are many websites that have all the information you need. For example at https://footballbettingz.com/ you can check the latest match results very quickly.
ToiniVeitonen says:
First, shadows are the reflection of our existence in the space. Then, our shadows overlap, intertwine, communicate. In this project, shadows are turned into subjective via https://ladydahmer.com/ representations of our mind states. Instead of being distorted by the source of light, the audience will be able to control their own shadows by wearing the headsets that collect EEG data from them and accordingly form fake shadows projected onto the ground beside them.
James Ruiz says:
Where can I bet on tennis? Where are the best odds?
Kelley Wheeler says:
Hi, everyone! I’m seeking ways to supplement my income without increasing my stress levels. Since I’m passionate about sports and enjoy playing various games, I’m interested in hearing about any options you may have.
metrydash says:
This makes Geometry Dash them easy to recognize and control during gameplay while maintaining a unique visual style that is appealing to both casual and seasoned players.
Charles Davin says:
It sounds like you’ve found the perfect way to stay active while having a blast! Tennis is definitely one of those sports that blends fun, social interaction, and a great workout without feeling like a chore. Plus, those beginner tips can really help anyone ease into the game and enjoy it from the start! If you’re looking to keep that momentum going, be sure to check out local courts or even community clubs to make the most of the social and fitness aspects tennis offers.
sprunki says:
You sprinkled a bit of wisdom into my day, and now I feel equipped to tackle any challenge that comes my way