Tennis
A beginner group course, a pre-strung racket and a can of balls. The first weeks are about rallying from the baseline, serving into the right box and keeping score.
What it is like
Tennis is a racket sport played one against one or two against two on a rectangular court divided by a low net. Each point starts with a serve hit diagonally into the opposite service box, and the scoring (love, 15, 30, 40, deuce and advantage) is half the charm once you know it.
It takes longer to get going than some racket sports: the strokes need practice before the rallies last. That is why most people start with a beginner group course, often run by a city recreation department, and a pre-strung racket made for beginners.
After that, tennis is a game for life. People play singles for the workout, doubles for the company, club and league matches against players of their own level, and it is played by wheelchair users and by people who are blind or have low vision too.
The common injuries come from cold muscles, poor footwear and serving with an arched back, so a warm-up, proper tennis shoes and good technique from a coach are worth more than an expensive racket.
- A session
- An hour to an hour and a half.
- A week
- Two or three sessions once you are hooked.
- Season
- All year where there are indoor courts; spring to autumn outdoors.
Indoors or out · For two, A club, With kids
Kinds and styles
One against one on the narrower court; the most running.
Two against two using the wider court with the alleys; more net play, less running.
Drop-in sessions, round robins and club nights.
Team matches against players of a similar level through a season.
The game is played by wheelchair users and by people who are blind or have low vision.
Is it for you?
You will probably love it if
- You want a sport you can keep playing for decades, alone with one partner or in doubles
- There are public courts or a club near you
- You enjoy practising a skill until it clicks
Maybe not, if
- You want to play real games on the first day; pickleball is quicker to pick up
- Running and quick stops are hard on your knees or ankles
- You have nobody to play with and no club nearby
What to buy first
- 01Beginner group lesson courseA coach, the basic strokes and other beginners to rally with$90
- 02Pre-strung beginner racketSold strung and ready to play; a borrowed racket is fine for the first lessonFind it on Amazon$119
- 03Can of three tennis ballsFresh balls bounce properly; a can lasts a few sessionsFind it on Amazon$5
- Everything you need to beginAbout $50 a month after that$214
Typical US prices for entry-level gear, rounded. Last checked October 2026. How we get the numbers
The Amazon links open a search for that type of item, not a product chosen for us, and the prices in the list are our typical figures, or the listing of the shop a line names, not Amazon's price for any listing. If you buy through one we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What to buy next
- 01Tennis shoesLateral support for the court (AAOS)Find it on Amazon First month
- 02OvergripsA dry, tacky handleFind it on Amazon First month
- 03Racket bagRacket, balls, water and a towel togetherFind it on Amazon Once you play weekly
- 04A case of ballsCheaper per canFind it on Amazon When you play often
- 05RestringingStrings lose tension and go dead with play After a season
No prices here on purpose: these are later buys, and what to spend depends on how far the hobby has taken you. The Amazon links work like the ones above: a search for the type of item, and a possible commission for us at no extra cost to you.
Tennis rackets and balls for beginners
Three rackets and three balls from one maker, Wilson, chosen against its own sizing guide: beginners do best with an oversize head of 105-110 sq in and a lighter frame, and the ball should suit the court.
| Model | Type | Specs | Who it suits | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Tour Slam | Recreational racket | An oversize 110 sq in head for a wide margin of error, Stop Shock pads near the throat against vibration; grips 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 in. Wilson calls it a great racket for the beginning player | A first racket for an adult | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
| Wilson Energy XL | Recreational racket | A light alloy frame with an oversize head and a larger sweet spot, Stop Shock sleeves at the sides; grips 4 1/4 and 4 3/8 in | Beginners on a budget, by Wilson's own pitch | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
| Wilson Clash 108 V3 | Performance racket, oversize | A 108 sq in head, the most forgiving frame of the Clash line by Wilson's description; grips 4 to 4 5/8 in | A racket to keep after the first season | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
| Wilson Championship Extra Duty | Balls, hard courts | Dura-Weave felt; Wilson says the core and felt of the extra duty ball suit hard courts best; 3 balls a can | Most public hard courts | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
| Wilson Championship Regular Duty | Balls, clay and slower courts | The same Dura-Weave felt; the regular duty ball suits slower courts such as clay, by Wilson's description; 3 balls a can | Clay courts | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
| Wilson US Open Orange Tournament | Balls, juniors | A slower ball with less bounce, easier to hit than a regular one, for 10-and-under play with rackets of 23-25 in | Children starting out | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
How we put this together. All details come from Wilson's own product pages and its racket guide, read on 26 October 2026; no prices, because they change. We have not tested these side by side. Grip sizes are the ones Wilson offers for each racket. Checked on 26 October 2026. There are no prices in this table: the Amazon link searches for the exact model, and we may earn a commission if you buy through it.
From your first lesson to a scored set, step by step
Lawn tennis took its modern shape in Birmingham, England, in the late 19th century (Wikipedia), and the rules have changed very little since. This guide goes from finding a course and the right racket and shoes to the warm-up, the groundstrokes, the serve, keeping score and doubles, with the injury advice of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Warning: Before you start The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons advises warming up for 3 to 5 minutes with jumping jacks, stationary cycling or running or walking in place, then stretching slowly, holding each stretch for 30 seconds, because cold muscles are more prone to injury. Wear tennis shoes with good support to prevent ankle injuries, and dry the racket handle often to prevent blisters. When serving or hitting an overhead, bend your knees and raise your heels rather than arching your back, and avoid landing on the ball of your foot, which can injure the Achilles tendon. Know basic first aid and how to reach medical help. We do not give medical advice; see a doctor about pain that does not go away.
City recreation departments run them; La Crosse, Wisconsin, charges $90 for its adult Tennis 101 course ($60 for residents).
Shoes with good support help prevent ankle injuries (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons).
Forehands and backhands back and forth, aiming for consistency rather than power.
From behind the baseline into the service box across the net; you get two chances (USTA).
Love, 15, 30, 40, game; six games with a two-game lead win the set, or a tiebreak at 6-6 (USTA).
The court and the serve
From above: a court 78 feet long with the net across the middle, the baselines at each end, the service boxes either side of the centre line, the doubles alleys along each side, and a serve from behind the near baseline, right of the centre mark, going diagonally into the far service box.
- A Service box 21 ft from the net The serve lands here. Step 5 →
- B Net 3 ft in the centre 3 ft 6 in at the posts. Step 4 →
- C Doubles alley Doubles only 36 ft wide with alleys. Step 7 →
- D Baseline 78 ft apart Serve from behind it. Step 5 →
Steps 1-2Before you play
- Step 1 of 8 · Before you play
Find a course and a court
Look for an adult beginner course at a city recreation department or club; La Crosse, Wisconsin, charges $90 for eight weeks of Tennis 101 ($60 for residents), and Exeter, New Hampshire, $90 to $100 for three weeks.
Most people: a beginner group course (first time).
Start here A beginner group courseBest forFirst time
A coach, the basics and other beginners.
Public courts with a friendBest forIf you have played before
Free or cheap, but nobody to correct the strokes.
Private lessonsBest forFast progress
More expensive; useful once you know what to work on.
- Step 2 of 8 · Before you play
Racket, balls and shoes
Buy a pre-strung racket made for beginners, a can of balls and tennis shoes with good support, which help prevent ankle injuries (AAOS).
Most people: pre-strung beginner racket (most beginners).
Start here Pre-strung beginner racketBest forMost beginners
Ready to play; two such Babolat models cost $119 at Tennis Warehouse.
A performance frameBest forNot for now
Sold unstrung and built for an established swing.
Not for a first try
Steps 3-7On court
- Step 3 of 8 · On court
Warm up
Warning: CAUTION Cold muscles are more prone to injury (AAOS); never start with full serves.
Three to five minutes of jumping jacks, stationary cycling or running in place, then slow stretches held for 30 seconds each (AAOS).
- Step 4 of 8 · On court
Rally from the baseline
Learn the forehand and backhand by rallying back and forth from behind the baseline, recovering to the middle after each shot and aiming for consistency, not power.
- Step 5 of 8 · On court
Serve
Warning: CAUTION Bend the knees and raise the heels instead of arching your back, and avoid landing on the ball of your foot (AAOS).
Stand behind the baseline between the centre mark and the right sideline and hit diagonally into the service box across the net; the first point of a game goes to the receiver's right (deuce) court. A miss is a fault, two in a row a double fault (USTA).
Goes wrong: Stepping on or over the baseline before you hit the ball. It is not allowed.
- Step 6 of 8 · On court
Keep score
Love, 15, 30, 40, game. At 40-40 (deuce) the next point gives advantage and the one after wins the game. Six games win a set, with a tiebreak at 6-6 played to 7 points with a two-point lead (USTA).
- Step 7 of 8 · On court
Try doubles
In doubles the alleys are in, so the court is 36 feet wide instead of 27 (Wikipedia); one player often stays near the net while the partner serves.
Step 8Keep going
- Step 8 of 8 · Keep going
Keep going
Play twice a week, keep taking a course each season and join social play.
Most people: club and social play (partners).
Start here Club and social playBest forPartners
Round robins and drop-in nights.
League playBest forA goal
Team matches against players of your level.
In shortIf it goes wrong
- Stepping on or over the baseline before you hit the ball.
- Step 5 · Serve
How you get better
- First weeksA group course
Grip, forehand, backhand and a first serve.
- First monthsRallies and sets
Regular play with a partner, keeping score properly.
- First seasonDoubles and volleys
Net play, positioning and club or league doubles.
- After thatYour own direction
Leagues, tournaments by level, or the same friendly game every week for years.
- Forehand
- Backhand
- The serve
- Return of serve
- Volley at the net
- Overhead
- Footwork and recovery
- Keeping score
- Doubles positioning
Small things that help
- Warm up before you hit, then stretch gently.
- Call the score before every serve; the server's score goes first.
- Aim for consistency: one more ball back over the net wins most beginner points.
- Recover to the middle of the baseline after each shot.
- Bend your knees on the serve instead of arching your back.
- Dry the handle between points.
Beginner mistakes
- 01Hitting everything hardPower without control ends rallies. Rally at a steady pace first.
- 02Stepping on the baseline when servingYou may not step on or over the baseline before you hit the ball (USTA).
- 03Arching the back on the serveBend the knees and raise the heels instead (AAOS).
- 04Skipping the warm-upCold muscles are more prone to injury (AAOS).
- 05Playing in running shoesTennis shoes give the side-to-side support that protects ankles (AAOS).
The court and the score
Court sizes from Wikipedia's article on the tennis court; scoring and serving from the USTA's guides.
| Item | What it means |
|---|---|
| Court | 78 ft (23.77 m) long; 27 ft (8.23 m) wide for singles, 36 ft (10.97 m) for doubles |
| Net | 3 ft (0.914 m) high in the centre, 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m) at the posts |
| Serve | From behind the baseline, diagonally into the service box; two chances, then a double fault |
| Points | Love, 15, 30, 40, game; 40-40 is deuce, then advantage |
| Set | Six games; a tiebreak at 6-6, first to 7 points with a two-point lead |
Why people quit
- 01It feels slow at firstRallies are short until the strokes settle. A group course and a regular partner get you past it.
- 02Nobody to play withClub social nights, ladders and leagues match you with players of your level.
- 03Sore elbow or shoulderPain can come from overuse or technique. Rest, ask a coach to check your strokes and see a doctor if it persists.
Words you will meet
- Love
- Zero in tennis scoring.
- Deuce
- 40-40; a player then needs two points in a row to win the game.
- Advantage
- The point after deuce; Ad-In for the server, Ad-Out for the receiver.
- Fault
- A serve that misses the correct service box; two in a row is a double fault.
- Let
- A serve that touches the net and lands in; it is replayed.
- Baseline
- The back line of the court.
- Service box
- One of the two boxes on each side of the net that a serve must land in.
- Alley
- The strip on each side used only in doubles.
Questions people ask
Do I need lessons?
A beginner group course is the quickest way to learn the strokes and meet partners; city recreation departments often run them, for example $90 for an adult course in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
What racket should I buy?
A pre-strung racket made for beginners; two at Tennis Warehouse, the Babolat Boost Aero and Boost Drive, cost $119 each. Wilson's racket guide suggests a 105-110 sq in head for beginners, a lighter frame of about 9-10 oz, the standard 27 in length and, if you are unsure of your grip size, the smaller one with an overgrip added.
How does scoring work?
Love, 15, 30, 40 and game; at 40-40 (deuce) you need two points in a row. Six games with a two-game lead win a set, with a tiebreak at 6-6 (USTA).
Singles or doubles?
Doubles uses the wider court and less running, and is a friendly way to start; singles is the bigger workout.
Is tennis hard on the body?
It involves sprints, stops and overhead swings. Warm up, wear tennis shoes and learn good serving technique (AAOS).
Where to go next
- 01PickleballA smaller court and an underhand serve; real games on day one. $88 to start
- 02BadmintonAnother racket sport, indoors and lighter on the knees. $105 to start
How it compares
| Tennis | Pickleball | Table tennis | Badminton | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start cost | $214 | $88 | $47 | $105 |
| Each month | $50 | $50 | $40 | $30 |
| Space | A tennis court | A pickleball court | A club or a room with a table | A gym court |
| Noise | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| First result | A few lessons before real rallies | 1 drop-in session | 1 drop-in session | 1 drop-in session |
| Mess | Nothing to clean | Nothing to clean | Nothing to clean | Nothing to clean |
Where to learn more
- 01USTA: Tennis scoringPoints, games, sets and the tiebreak.
- 02USTA: When and where to serveWhere to stand, faults and double faults.
- 03AAOS OrthoInfo: Tennis injury preventionWarm-up, shoes and serving technique.
Sources: Wilson, How to choose a tennis racket · USTA, Tennis scoring: points, sets and games · USTA, When and where to serve in tennis · American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, OrthoInfo: Tennis injury prevention · City of La Crosse, Tennis and pickleball · Town of Exeter, 2026 adult group beginner tennis lessons · Wikipedia, Tennis; Tennis court
Researched and written by the Fjords Team.