Tennis is undeniably a well-known sport. Some of the biggest sporting stars in the world made their name on the courts, from the Williams Sisters to Nadal and Federer, tennis has a global reach with fans all around the world.
Yet very few people play as regularly compared to other, more popular sports.
With that in mind, we’re going to be taking a look at 6 different reasons you should pick up a racket, head down to the court, and give tennis a try.
We’ll also share a few tips to get you started. Let’s get to it.
Reason 1: A Sport for Life
Unlike many other sports, tennis can very easy going on your body. While there is a good amount of running involved, at the very basic level, tennis is hitting a ball back and forth between two players. With that in mind, it’s not uncommon to see players of all ages when you head to the court. From kids to seniors well into their retirement, tennis is a sport that you can play for the rest of your life.
Compare tennis to other, more demanding sports where the unfortunate time will come where you can no longer play.
With all that in mind, taking the time to learn tennis this summer can provide you with a lifetime of fun on the court.
Reason 2: Relatively Risk-Free
Tennis is one of the few sports where there is 0 contact between the players (non-contact sport). With this lack of contact, tennis is generally considered a low-risk sport.
While injuries can definitely occur, often in the form of repetitive strain injuries such as tennis elbow, the severity, and frequency of injuries is far below that of other sports out there.
Of course, accidents happen and even pro tennis players have been known to fall over here or there, but when compared to sports as a whole, tennis is definitely on the safer end of the spectrum.
Reason 3: Great for Getting into Shape
Whether you want to lose a bit of weight or work on your overall fitness levels, tennis is a fantastic option.
According to Harvard Health, tennis on average burns 252 calories per half an hour (for players weighing 155lb). While not the most intensive sport in the world, there’s no denying that tennis is a great way to get into shape whilst having fun at the same time.
Reason 4: Meet New People
Although tennis isn’t necessarily a team sport, it’s still a great way to meet people and make new friends.
For example, there’s double tennis, which involves playing alongside a partner against another duo. I absolutely love doubles tennis, as it’s a great way to team up with a friend and test out your abilities both as a player and as a team.
You can also join a local club, compete in leagues or events, or even take up group tennis lessons.
Before you know it, you can have a ton of new friends that you can battle it out on the court with.
Season 5: Improve Hand-Eye Coordination
When hitting a tennis ball, there’s an area of the racket known as the “sweet spot”. This is usually in the center of the strings and provides the most power and control.
That said, beginners (and even experienced players) can find it hard to hit the ball with the sweet spot of the racket. With the ball moving towards you at a relatively fast pace, getting the racket into the correct position at the right time can be challenging to say the least. Most new players will often find themselves hitting the ball with the frame of the racket, aptly named “framing the ball”.
Over time, and with practice, players can develop their hand eye coordination so that they can consistently and effectively return to the ball. This skill can then translate to everyday life in a plethora of different ways.
Reason 6: Great for Mental Health
Performing sport/ physical exercise has been proven to have a positive effect on mental health.
Combine this with the 5 reasons listed above, and tennis is undoubtedly a surefire way to improve your overall health, both mentally and physically.
Tips for Learning Tennis
Ok, hopefully, we’ve got you in the mood to learn some tennis! Below we’ll share a few tips that will help get you started.
Tip 1: Tennis Can Be Practiced Alone
Although tennis is a two-person sport, you don’t need to have a training partner to practice with. All you need is a wall, a racket, and a ball to be able to practice your technique alone.
There are also several training aides that you can use, such as a rebounder or even a tennis ball machine that help when it comes to practicing tennis alone. Tennis ball machines can be a bit expensive, so probably aren’t too suited for beginners. Although if a local club has one you can borrow, then definitely give it a try.
Rebounders, on the other hand, are pretty cheap. They take a little while to get used to but offer an affordable and fun way to practice tennis on your own.
With that in mind, tennis is a really easy sport to get into, as you’re not as reliant on other people, compared to other team-based sports.
With all this said, the easiest way to practice tennis alone is going to be against a wall. You can even place a line of duct tape 3ft high (the height of a tennis net) along the wall to add a bit of realism into your training.
Tip 2: Don’t Worry About Gear at First
Tennis is great in that it doesn’t require a ton of gear to play. Compare this to a sport like golf, where you need your irons, driver, putter, balls, and a bag to carry it all in.
While rackets can vary in price, as a beginner, you won’t need the best racket on the market. A decent Babolat racket will set you back around $60-$70 and you’re good to go.
Focus your attention on learning as opposed to having the best gear. This, as it happens, brings us to our next point.
Tip 3: Focus on the Fundamentals
The old saying “don’t run before you can walk” definitely applies to tennis. On the surface level, tennis can seem like an easy sport. All you have to do is hit a ball a few feet over the net right?
While that is the case, mastering the various aspects of tennis runs much deeper than simply hitting a ball over a net. There are different surfaces, different strategies and tactics, and a ton of different swing and grip techniques.
When starting to learn tennis, it’s best to focus on the basic fundamentals. For example, holding the tennis racket with the right grip, understanding the technique of basic shots such as the forehand, backhand, and even the serve.
Once you’ve established the fundamentals, you can then start to take things up a notch by working on your topspin, your drop shot, your slices, etc…
Final Thoughts
Well, there we have it. Hopefully, we’ve motivated you to give tennis a try this summer!
Thanks for stopping by!
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