This article is about tennis beginners. Are you interested in learning how to play tennis with zero dimes spent on tennis lessons? Playing well enough for physical fitness and recreational purposes? Well, if you’re a beginner, you’re in luck because nowadays it’s easy to learn it because the resources needed for the game are readily available.
Tennis courts seem to be accessible at nearly all cities in the United States and in major cities throughout the world. Just bring on your “game face”; not as much as Novak’s shown on the picture of course (you’re going to play recreational tennis), great desire, and dedication to learn the game and you will be on your way for great fun of tennis games in no time.
In this post, I will be analyzing the resources I was able to use on how I learn to play tennis from being a beginner to the point where I’m now; rated 3.5 as per NTRP Guidelines.
Having my physical stamina dramatically improved, I am able to play the game twice a week at our local tennis courts with wonderful tennis friends whom I’m indebted to in learning the game. I also had joined the USTA and was able to participate in local tournaments.
I don’t want to bore you to death with my intro, so let’s get started…
Top 5 Resources Tennis Beginners Use to Learn How to Play Tennis
My tennis learning journey began at work 6 years ago when I was approached by this confident young man asking me if I knew how to play tennis and if not would I like to learn? You guessed it, the answer was a resounding yeah, I’d like to learn, after all, I needed a different sport other than basketball because I could no longer keep up playing with younger folks.
This man becomes one of the many mentors I, ve had and I call them my first resource in learning how to play tennis without spending a dime on tennis lessons! Here’s the rest of my resources:
1. Tennis Buddies: The number 1 resource for tennis beginners.
Having tennis buddies and partners to hit the ball is a must-have resource for a tennis beginner who doesn’t want to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on lessons. They become your friends not only on the tennis courts but perhaps off courts as well. I know I have and for that reason, I’ll be spending more time about them as my number one resource.
I am lucky enough to have met Ed who introduced me to the many facets of the game; i.e. the correct equipment and apparel to use (not the junior racket and basketball shoes I used when I first showed up for practice), the basics of the game such as tennis etiquette and rules.
I have found out that Ed and his tennis buddies are avid players; they have set days during the week to meet and play on their favorite tennis courts. 99% of the time each one of them shows up for the scheduled meetings; they are extremely dedicated and disciplined; showing their utmost love and respect for the game of tennis. And they literally express their love of tennis by yelling “I Love This Game” whenever they have wonderful rallies.
Funny stubborn partner as a tennis beginner:
The love of the game of tennis was uniquely expressed by Ador, one of our tennis buddies who at one instance showed up for the game with fresh needle marks on his arm; a complete disregard of his doctor’s order to stay in the hospital. Stubborn as he is, Ador taught me a significant number of playing strategies and techniques to play the game with respect and most of all have fun playing it!
And then there’s Paul and Villy, whom after an exhaustive 2 to 3-hour matches would stay a bit longer to hit with me and giving pointers on how to play the game. These guys gave me encouragement to continue learning the game to the point where I’m now; becoming their tennis buddies, partners and friends.
I have several other tennis buddies as resources for learning tennis. I’ve got Jahi, Matt, Ridge and, Ray. These friends are readily available to give me tennis tips and advises to improve my games.
The latest addition to our group is Bong, Allan, and Andy. In my opinion, they are more advanced players than most so they are invaluable resources for me. I watch their games closely to find out strategies and techniques that I may use during my games as well.
My most instrumental tennis partner as a tennis beginner:
But it would be remiss of me if I don’t mention the person who I thought kept me coming back to learn tennis. You see at the beginning of my tennis journey, I wasn’t really able to play with “the guys”; as anyone could imagine, because I’m not able to return the ball to my hitting partner to have a good rally. This guy is Ed Jr.
Jr. was 13 years old when he started learning to play tennis. In a sense, he grew up learning part of his tennis with me. We hit those tennis balls for hours or until the “guys” were finished with their matches. We kept hitting tennis balls for at least two hours twice a week until we were able to maintain some good rallies. Hence, we were allowed to play with the “big guys”.
I’m proud to say that Jr. is one of the biggest help and resource for me in learning how to play tennis. He became a tennis varsity tennis champion with 48 straight matches won; with a total of 52 wins during his senior year of high school tennis. He’s now a freshman in college but occasionally plays matches with us “guys”.
2. YouTube Videos: A must resource for tennis beginners.
I watch several YouTube tennis videos of professional tennis players in the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray. I have a great fascination watching their strokes especially those that are in slow motion to carefully follow and see the techniques they use.
Matt, my tennis buddy and I make reference to these videos whenever we made good shots during our games. But it’s not a laughing matter, I make YouTube videos as my number 2 tennis learning resource. A great resource for tennis beginners!
3. Online Tennis Websites: Other resources for tennis beginners.
Surfing on the internet, I was able to find these sites and made them my 3rd resource in learning how to play tennis. They are valuable resources for free:
http://www.active.com/tennis – I signed up for their newsletter so that I receive new articles from them whenever they have new posts. Click the link and you’ll find articles on a perfect toss for serving, playing doubles, and other tips and strategies of the game.
http://www.teachingtennis.com/ – Basically the same thing as above. Plus mental tennis.
http://www.how-2-tennis.com/index.html – Same as above. The site sells tennis gear and other training aids. (Remember we’re learning tennis without spending a dime).
http://espn.go.com/tennis/rankings – I’d like to keep abreast of my favorite professionals. Here you’ll find out how they rank with other players.
http://www.atpworldtour.com/ – News about tennis.
http://origin-www.usta-dns.com/ – News about tennis.
4. The Tennis Channel: Great resource for tennis beginners:
Unfortunately, at this writing, my television provider had stopped showing The Tennis Channel, therefore, my fourth tennis learning resource is at a standstill. I’m back to YouTube watching replays or at ESPN sports when available. The good thing about The Tennis Channel is that there are always games showing.
5. USTA Magazine, Library Books: Misc. resources for tennis beginners:
USTA Magazine is a perk when you join the USTA and of course, tennis books are always available from your nearest public library. They are free.
If I had to name a 6th tennis learning resource, it would be an occasional trip to professional tennis events in the likes of Indian Wells Tennis Garden or even the US Open. I have been to Indian Wells and I can tell you that it’s amazing to watch your favorite tennis players in person.
They seem to be just ordinary people like you and me but with extraordinary tennis skills. And yeah, they paid for their tennis lessons! We come and watch their games carefully hoping to discover the style and strategies they employ to win their games.
I have been playing tennis for over 6 years now and enjoying every bit of it. My physical fitness has improved and able to play tennis 2 times per week. Like many tennis beginners, my number one resource on learning how to play tennis became my tennis buddies and friends both on and off the courts. I continually use the other resources mentioned above to improve my games; without spending a dime on tennis lessons. You too can do it!
Good luck,
Ness