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Beginner guide

How to get into tennis

Most people don't quit tennis because it's too hard — they quit because the first month was badly set up. This guide covers exactly what to do in weeks one to four, what gear is genuinely necessary, and how to find a beginner-friendly session near you.

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Quick facts

Cost to start
Rackets from $60; park courts free to $15 an hour; club membership $200–800 a year.
Fitness needed
Singles is demanding; doubles is far more accessible.
Learning curve
Steeper than padel — expect a few months of lessons to rally comfortably.
Session length
60–120 minutes
Best entry format
Singles
Where to train
Public park courts or Tennis clubs

Start here

Public park courts make it cheap to start, and cardio tennis sessions offer a low-pressure way in.

The right first step in tennis is smaller than most beginners assume. Do these things in order.

  • Take group lessons rather than one-to-one at the start
  • Rally cross-court instead of playing points early on
  • Learn a reliable second serve before a big first serve
  • Join a club box league to get consistent, level-matched matches
  • Play doubles to learn positioning fast

What to buy — and what to skip

Buy the minimum, use it for a month, then upgrade what actually limits you.

  • Racket
  • Balls
  • Court shoes for the surface
  • Overgrips

Where to train

These are the venue types to search for locally. Clubs and gyms in the SportConnect directory list their sports, levels and session times, so you can filter for beginner-friendly options.

  • Public park courts
  • Tennis clubs
  • Indoor centres
  • School courts

Pick the right format

Beginners who choose the wrong format usually decide the sport isn't for them. Start with Singles, or an easier variant.

  • Singles
  • Doubles
  • Club box leagues
  • Tournaments
  • Cardio tennis

Why it's worth it

What people get out of tennis once they're past the first month.

  • Playable for life, at any age
  • Box leagues match you by ability automatically
  • Doubles is social and lower impact
  • Public courts keep entry costs near zero
  • Skill ceiling is effectively unlimited

Find people to train with

Nothing keeps a new sport going like other people expecting you. Create a free profile with tennis as your sport and your level, then browse players, coaches and clubs in your city and message the ones running beginner sessions.

Your first month

  1. 01

    Week 1 — group lesson

    A beginner group session teaches grip, stance and the forehand in a low-pressure setting.

  2. 02

    Week 2 — rally practice

    Book a court with a friend and rally cross-court. Count consecutive shots instead of playing points.

  3. 03

    Week 3 — learn the serve

    Serve is the hardest shot. Fifteen minutes of serving at the start of every session.

  4. 04

    Week 4 — first match

    Play a set of doubles or enter a club box league at the lowest level.

Find people to train with

SportConnect is free: set your sport and level, browse players, coaches, clubs and gyms near you, and message the ones running beginner-friendly sessions.

Find tennis sessions near youExplore your city

Frequently asked questions

Am I too old to start tennis?

Almost certainly not. Adult beginner groups exist in tennis at every level, and clubs generally value reliability far more than raw ability.

How often should I train as a beginner?

Two or three sessions a week is the sweet spot for tennis. It's frequent enough to progress and infrequent enough to recover and stay interested.

How much does it cost to start?

Rackets from $60; park courts free to $15 an hour; club membership $200–800 a year.

Do I need to be fit first?

Singles is demanding; doubles is far more accessible.

Do I need experience to join a club or session?

No. Most local clubs, gyms and open sessions run beginner groups and are used to people arriving with zero background. Say you're new when you message them — it changes how they set the session up for you.

Is SportConnect free?

Yes. Creating a profile, browsing players, coaches, gyms and events, and messaging other members is free.

How do I find people at my level nearby?

Set your sport, level and city on your profile, then browse players, coaches and gyms in your area. Filtering by level is the fastest way to find sessions you'll actually enjoy.

Find a tennis coach

A few sessions with a coach shortcuts months of guesswork. Every coach on SportConnect lists their sport, location, session formats, rates and availability, so you can compare before you message.

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Keep reading

What is lacrosse?What is mma?What is yoga?What is padel?What is pickleball?What is boxing?What is running?What is swimming?What is cycling?What is basketball?What is soccer?What is american football?

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