Tennis is a fun and healthy sport that anyone can enjoy. Playing tennis can improve your fitness, mood, social skills, and mental abilities. To start playing tennis as a hobby, you need a racquet, balls, shoes, and a court.
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Tennis
as a hobby
Tennis is a perfect combination of violent action taking place in an atmosphere of total tranquility.
Billie Jean King, American former world No. 1 tennis player
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Helpful content to start tennis as a hobby
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Tennis can burn more calories than cycling, skating, or aerobics.
Harvard Medical School
📜 Terms
Basic lingo for orientation.
- Ace: A serve that lands inside the service box and is not touched by the receiver, resulting in a point for the server.
- Ad: Short for advantage, which is the score when one player wins the first point after a deuce and needs one more point to win the game.
- Ad court: The left side of the court of each player, so called because the advantage point immediately following a deuce is always served to this side of the court.
- Alley: The area of the court between the singles and the doubles sidelines, which are also known as tramlines.
- Approach shot: A groundstroke shot used as a setup as the player approaches the net, often using underspin or topspin.
- Backhand: A stroke hit with the back of the racket hand facing the ball at the moment of contact. A backhand can be hit with one or two hands.
- Baseline: The line at each end of the court that marks the boundary for singles and doubles matches. The baseline is where players start off each point and serve from.
- Break: To win a game as the receiver, thus breaking the serve of the opponent.
- Breakpoint: A point that, if won by the receiver, would result in a break of serve.
- Deuce: The score when both players have 40 points in a game. To win the game from deuce, a player must win two consecutive points, one to get the advantage and one to win the game.
- Double fault: A fault that occurs when a player fails to get either their first or second serve into play, resulting in a point for their opponent.
- Drop shot: A softly hit shot that barely goes over the net and lands very close to it, forcing the opponent to run forward to reach it.
- Fault: A serve that does not land inside the service box or hits the net before landing. A fault results in a second serve, unless it is a double fault.
- Forehand: A stroke hit with the palm of the racket hand facing the ball at the moment of contact. A forehand is usually hit with one hand.
- Game: A unit of scoring in tennis that consists of a sequence of points during which one player continues to serve. To win a game, a player must win at least four points with a margin of two points over their opponent.
- Game point: A point that, if won by the server, would result in winning the game.
- Let: A call made by an official or a player when a serve hits the net before landing inside the service box and is otherwise good. The serve is replayed with no penalty. A let can also occur when there is an interruption or distraction during play, such as a ball rolling onto the court from another court.
- Lob: A high-arcing shot that goes over the head of an opponent who is at or near the net, forcing them to move back towards the baseline. A lob can be offensive or defensive depending on how well it is executed.
- Love: The term for zero in tennis scoring, derived from the French word l’oeuf meaning egg. For example, 15-love means 15-0.
- Match point: A situation in which one player or team can win the match by winning the next point.
❗ How to start tennis as a hobby
First moves for getting acquainted and breaking the ice.
- First, buy a racquet. While there are many factors and considerations, the HEAD Ti.S6 Tennis Racquet is considered an all-round good racquet for beginners. It is lightweight, powerful, easy to maneuver, and arm-friendly. It also has a large head size and sweet spot, which makes it forgiving and comfortable for off-center shots.
- If you already have a friend or a family member who wants to play tennis with you, that’s great! You can book a tennis court and start having fun. After getting a first grip, you can improve your game by watching YouTube tutorials or an online course, or by taking in-person lessons.
- If you don’t have a partner, consider taking lessons. However, if the process of finding and starting lessons is too overwhelming as a first step, or there are no courses available near you, or you just prefer swinging it by yourself for a bit, you can make the first steps by yourself. All you need is something to rebound your balls. It can be either a wall, a rebound net, or a tennis trainer rebound ball.
A nearby tennis court might have a wall, or you can take your tennis trainer rebound ball with you. It can also be a great opportunity to meet your first partner and opponent. - Again, you can improve your game by watching YouTube tutorials or an online course, and also reconsider taking in-person lessons, now that you have a bit more confidence.
- For finding a partner, you can also try the TennisPal app, or tennis groups around you.
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Playing tennis can enhance your memory, alertness, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Playing tennis can also release endorphins, which are natural chemicals that make you feel happy and relaxed.
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❓ FAQS
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What are the benefits of playing tennis as a hobby?
Playing tennis as a hobby can have many benefits for your physical and mental health. Some of the benefits include: Improving your cardiovascular fitness, strength, endurance, and coordination. Burning calories and maintaining a healthy weight. Reducing stress and enhancing your mood. Developing your social skills and making new friends.
What equipment do I need to start playing tennis?
A tennis racquet. A good racquet for beginners is the HEAD Ti.S6 Tennis Racquet, which is lightweight, powerful, easy to maneuver, and arm-friendly. Tennis balls. Comfortable shoes, and clothing. But you probably don’t need to buy anything special for getting started.
How do I learn the basics of tennis?
Can I start practicing tennis by myself?
Yes, you can start practicing by yourself if you don’t have a partner or a coach. Practicing by yourself can help you improve your skills and confidence at your own pace. You can use a wall, a rebound net, or a tennis trainer rebound ball. These are tools that allow you to hit the ball and have it bounce back to you. You can practice different strokes, such as forehands, backhands, volleys, and serves. You can also work on your accuracy, speed, and consistency. You can also do some physical exercises that are beneficial for tennis.
How can I find a partner for tennis?
If you already tried your friends and family with no luck, you can try the TennisPal app, or tennis groups near you. You can also frequent a tennis court, practicing with the wall or your tennis trainer rebound ball and eventually meeting your first partner.
Is booking a tennis court expensive?
Some councils offer free courts in public spaces. If there aren’t any around you, the price of booking a court varies and is around $15 per hour.
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| Skills | Adaptability, Agility, Analytical Thinking, Balance, Communication, Concentration, Core Stability, Critical Thinking, Decision-making, Hand-eye Coordination, Motor Coordination, Multitasking, Perseverance, Physical Endurance, Physical Fitness, Problem Solving, Self-esteem, Social Skills |