Tennis for Beginners: Grip, Strokes and Your First Rally
Tennis is a sport you can play for life. The first few sessions can be frustrating, but once you can keep a rally going, it becomes very addictive.
The equipment
- A racket suited to your size and strength (ask at a shop).
- Tennis balls.
- Court shoes for grip and support.
The basics
- Grip: start with the continental or eastern forehand grip. Think of "shaking hands" with the racket.
- Ready position: knees bent, racket in front, weight on the balls of your feet.
- Forehand: turn your shoulders, swing low to high and finish over the opposite shoulder.
- Backhand: one or two hands, with the same turn and smooth swing.
- Serve: start with an underhand serve and work up to an overhead one.
Footwork is everything
Many beginners swing hard but stand still. Small adjusting steps help you reach the ball in the right spot.
Play mini tennis first
Stand near the net and rally gently in the service boxes. It builds control and timing before you move back.
Take a lesson
A few sessions with a coach can save you from picking up habits that are hard to unlearn.
