Playing tennis offers a wide range of benefits for your physical and mental well-being. It helps improve fitness and general health by keeping you active, and provides opportunities to meet new friends and build social connections. Tennis is a game for all ages, from young children to seniors, making it a lifelong sport, with studies even linking playing tennis to increased longevity! With so many advantages, it’s easy to see why this is a fantastic way to stay healthy, have fun, and challenge yourself.

Learning tennis on your own is easier than you might think. Start by wearing comfortable sports clothing – no need for the all-whites of Wimbledon at our venues. Most of our locations offer rackets and balls for borrowing, making it perfect for first-timers. If you decide to invest in your own gear, you'll find rackets and balls are relatively inexpensive too, and you might even find what you need at your local charity shop.

To get started, consider joining drop-in sessions at your local leisure centre or speaking with the staff for more tips and tricks, and opportunities to practise. With the right resources and a bit of determination, you can quickly develop your skills and fall in love with the game.

Improving your tennis game is all about practice and enjoying the process. Start by playing regularly, and if possible, find a friend to share the experience – although it's not necessary, as the tennis community is very welcoming. 

Consistency is key, so make a habit of practising your serves, forehand, backhand, and footwork, picking up expert tennis tips from your fellow players and Better coaches. As you play more, you'll naturally develop better coordination and game strategies. Remember, the more you play, the more you'll improve and love the game.

How often you should get on the court and play depends on your current activity level and goals. Tennis is highly adaptable and suitable for players of all abilities and ages. For beginners, playing once or twice a week is a good start to see improvement and build skills. As you progress, you may want to increase your playtime to enhance your fitness and technique. Regardless of how often you play, one thing remains consistent – the enjoyment and satisfaction you’ll experience on the court.

Heading out on the court for the first time is definitely the hardest part but here are some tips to make getting started a bit easier:

• Book a slot - there’s nothing worse than getting yourself ready to play and finding the court occupied! Make sure to book a slot to ensure you definitely get to play.
• Find a friend - the best way to learn is by playing a game so find a friend to play against - but keep things friendly for the first match or two.
• Start with a rally - while playing a full game is a great way to learn, don’t feel pressure to get competitive right away. Start with some rallies to get into the zone and loosen up.
• Warm up and cool down - if you’re new to tennis, you might get sore afterwards since your body isn’t used to the movements. Make sure to stretch before and after to reduce the risk of pain or injury.

With 12 indoor tennis centres and 25 outdoor hubs in the UK, you’re bound to find a court in your local area.

To find your nearest court, use our Center Locator tool and see what’s available near you.