Guides  ·  2026-04-15  ·  8 min read

How to Start Playing Tennis: A Beginner's Guide

Why tennis is a perfect sport to pick up

Tennis offers something few sports can match: you can play it for a lifetime. From age 6 to 80, the court is still there. You do not need a team of 11, you do not depend on a league to have fun, and you can adjust the intensity to your level. A relaxed rally on a Sunday morning has as little in common with a five-set professional match as a bike ride has with the Tour de France, and both are still tennis.

In Spain, tennis infrastructure is extensive. Municipal courts, community courts, club courts, and sports centers are scattered everywhere. If you live in a residential complex with a court, you are already halfway there. And if you do not, free or affordable options are more abundant than you might think. For a detailed look at those options, check out our guide on how to book tennis courts for free or cheap.

Tennis is also an excellent cardiovascular workout. An hour of play burns between 400 and 600 calories, improves coordination, strengthens your legs and core, and has a mental component (strategy, focus, frustration management) that makes it a complete workout for body and mind.

Basic equipment: what you need (and what you do not)

One of the advantages of tennis is that the entry-level equipment is minimal. You do not need to spend a fortune to get started. Here is what is essential:

Racket

For a beginner, a racket with a large head (between 100 and 110 square inches) is the best choice. The larger frame offers a bigger sweet spot, which means more forgiveness when you do not hit the ball dead center (and at the beginning, you will not hit it dead center).

Look for rackets weighing between 260 and 290 grams. Too light and you lose control; too heavy and your arm will suffer. A decent beginner racket costs between 30 and 60 euros. You do not need to buy the same racket your favorite tour player uses. Those rackets are designed for people who have been training daily for 20 years.

A practical tip: many sports shops and clubs offer demo or rental rackets. Before buying, try several models to see which feels most comfortable in your hand.

Balls

A can of three tennis balls costs between 3 and 6 euros. For practice and casual matches, any standard pressurized ball will do. Pressureless balls (harder, lower bounce) last longer but do not offer the same playing feel. If you are getting serious, buy regular pressurized balls and replace them when they lose their bounce.

There are also low-compression balls (red, orange, and green depending on level) designed for learning. They are slower and bounce lower, giving you more time to react. If you take lessons, your coach will likely use them in early sessions.

Shoes

This is where you should not cut corners. Proper tennis shoes matter for two reasons: grip and ankle protection. Running shoes or casual sneakers will not work — they lack lateral support and will slip on hard surfaces.

The sole type depends on the surface you play on:

• Hard court (concrete, resin): herringbone sole, abrasion-resistant.
• Clay: more pronounced herringbone pattern to clear dirt.
• Grass or artificial turf: small studs (less common in Spain).
• All-court sole: a compromise that works reasonably well on all surfaces. If you are only buying one pair, this is the most versatile option.

Budget: between 40 and 80 euros for beginner shoes with decent support.

Clothing and accessories

Nothing fancy here: comfortable, breathable sportswear. Shorts or skirt, technical shirt, and a cap if you play in the sun. You do not need tennis-specific clothing to start. The only recommended add-on is an overgrip (adhesive tape you wrap around the racket handle) to improve grip when you sweat. They cost less than 2 euros and get replaced every few sessions.

Basic rules: just enough to play

Tennis rules may seem complicated at first (the scoring system is, let us be honest, rather odd), but the essentials boil down to a few key points:

The court

A tennis court is 23.77 meters long and 10.97 meters wide for doubles (8.23 meters for singles). There is a net in the middle that stands 0.914 meters at its lowest point. The lines mark service boxes, baselines, and sidelines. A ball that touches the line is considered in.

The scoring system

Each match is divided into sets, and each set into games. Within each game, points are counted like this:

• 0 points = Love
• 1 point = 15
• 2 points = 30
• 3 points = 40
• 4 points = game won (if you lead by at least 2 points)

If both players reach 40, it is called deuce. From there, you must win two consecutive points: the first gives advantage, the second wins the game.

To win a set, you need 6 games with at least a 2-game lead. If it reaches 6-6, a tiebreak is played (first to 7 points, also requiring a 2-point lead). A match is won best of 3 sets in amateur play or best of 5 sets in men's Grand Slams.

The serve

Each game starts with one player serving from behind the baseline. The serve alternates sides: first to the right (deuce court), then to the left (ad court). The ball must clear the net and land inside the diagonally opposite service box. If you miss the first serve, you get a second attempt. If you miss both, it is a double fault and you lose the point.

During the point

The ball may only bounce once on your side before you return it (you can hit it on the fly without a bounce — a volley — except on the serve return). If the ball bounces twice, goes out, or hits the net without clearing it, you lose the point.

Fundamental technique: the four basic strokes

You do not need to master 15 different shots to start enjoying tennis. With four basic strokes you can play full matches. Refinement comes later, with practice and ideally the help of a coach.

The grip

Before talking about strokes, let us talk about grip. How you hold the racket determines everything else. For a beginner, the recommended grip is the Eastern forehand: place the palm of your dominant hand flat against the racket face and slide it down to the handle. That is it. This grip allows a natural forehand and is easy to adjust for other shots.

Do not obsess over the perfect grip at the start. What matters is that the racket does not shift in your hand on contact and that your wrist is not in a forced position.

Forehand

This is the most natural shot and the first one every player learns. With the Eastern grip, rotate your shoulders toward your dominant side (preparation), bring the racket back at hip height, and strike the ball in front of your body with a low-to-high swing. Finish with the racket above the opposite shoulder (follow-through). The key: hit the ball when it is at waist height and slightly in front of you.

Backhand

The backhand is played on the side opposite to your dominant hand. It can be one-handed or two-handed. For beginners, the two-handed backhand is more stable and easier to control. The non-dominant hand adds power and stability. The mechanics are similar to the forehand but reversed: prepare by rotating shoulders to your non-dominant side, strike in front of your body, follow through to the opposite side.

The backhand is usually a beginner's weakest shot. Do not get frustrated — it is normal for it to develop more slowly than the forehand. Wall practice is excellent for improving it.

Serve

The serve is the most technical shot in tennis, but to get started a simplified version will do. Stand behind the baseline, feet sideways to the net. Toss the ball with your non-dominant hand above and slightly in front of your head. Hit it at the highest point you can reach, with a motion similar to throwing a ball overhand. The initial goal is not speed but consistency: getting the serve into the service box.

A tip for beginners: if the full serve feels too complicated, start with an underhand serve. It is not elegant, but it lets you play points from day one while you practice the full serve motion separately.

Volley

The volley is hitting the ball before it bounces, usually near the net. The motion is short and compact: no long backswing, no big follow-through. Think of it as "blocking" the ball rather than striking it. Volleys are important in doubles and useful in singles when you want to finish the point at the net.

Where to play: options for beginners

Once you have a racket and shoes, you need a court. Here are your main options:

Municipal courts

The most accessible option. Virtually every medium and large city has municipal tennis courts, either at sports centers or in public parks. Prices vary: from free access to 4-10 euros per hour with a resident card. Facility quality depends on the municipality, but for getting started they are more than sufficient.

Community courts

If you live in a residential complex with a tennis court, make use of it — you are already paying for it through your community fees. Many complexes have courts that sit underused on weekdays, especially in the mornings. Tools like BookrGo help manage bookings so that all residents get fair access.

Affordable clubs

Not all tennis clubs are exclusive. Social clubs with monthly fees of 20 to 50 euros that include court access exist, and many offer group lessons for beginners at reasonable prices. If you want to start with coaching (highly recommended), a club is often the most convenient option because it combines court, instructor, and practice partners at a similar level.

Tennis schools

Tennis schools are the most structured path to learning. They offer programs by level, from absolute beginner to advanced. Group lessons (4-6 people) cost between 30 and 60 euros per month for one or two sessions per week. Private lessons are more expensive (20-40 euros per hour), but progress is faster.

If you are deciding between tennis and padel, our guide on the differences between tennis and padel can help you choose which suits your preferences better.

Your first sessions: dos and do nots

The first few times on a tennis court can be frustrating if you do not know where to start. These tips will save you time and frustration:

Do

• Start against a wall. Before playing with another person, practice strokes against a backboard or wall. This lets you make hundreds of repetitions without depending on anyone and without the pressure of a real point.
• Focus on consistency, not power. Your initial goal is to get the ball over the net and inside the lines. Speed will come naturally as your technique improves.
• Move your feet. Seventy percent of a good shot is being in the right position. Before thinking about the racket, think about your feet.
• Play with people at your level. It is more fun and more productive. Playing against someone much better can be demoralizing; playing against someone much weaker does not push you to improve.
• Warm up before playing. Five minutes of light jogging and dynamic stretches prevent injuries. Tennis involves explosive movements (sprints, stops, turns) that can cause problems if your body is not prepared.

Do not

• Do not try to hit hard from day one. Power without control produces balls sailing out and frustration. Plus, a forced shot with poor technique is the perfect recipe for an elbow or shoulder injury.
• Do not copy professional technique from TV. Their biomechanics are the result of thousands of hours of training. What works for Alcaraz does not work for someone who has been playing for two weeks.
• Do not always play with the same person. Varying partners exposes you to different playing styles and forces you to adapt.
• Do not ignore pain. If you feel discomfort in your elbow, shoulder, or wrist, stop and review your technique. Tennis elbow is real and is prevented with proper grip and an appropriate racket.

Court etiquette: the unwritten rules

Tennis has an unwritten code of conduct worth knowing from the start. These are not official rules, but respecting them will make your experience (and everyone else's) much better:

• Wait for the point to end on the adjacent court before crossing to retrieve a ball. Interrupting someone else's point is one of the biggest etiquette violations.
• Return balls politely. If a ball from another court rolls into yours, send it back gently when the point on your court has finished.
• Call balls honestly. If you play without an umpire (as in 99% of amateur matches), each player calls balls on their own side. When in doubt, the ball is in.
• Respect booking times. When your hour is up, pack up and leave the court. Staying "just five more minutes" inconveniences the next player.
• Bring water and a towel. It seems obvious, but hydration on court is essential, especially in summer.
• Pick up your balls and trash when you finish. Leave the court the way you would like to find it.

How to progress: from beginner to intermediate

Once you have the fundamentals down and can sustain rallies of several shots, the next step is progressing to an intermediate level. This transition usually takes between 6 months and a year of regular practice (two to three times per week):

• Take at least some lessons. A coach will correct technique flaws that, once ingrained, are very hard to eliminate. You do not need permanent lessons: a block of 8-10 sessions at the start can make all the difference.
• Learn to put spin on the ball. Topspin is the most important quality jump. It lets you hit with more margin because the ball dips faster, giving you clearance over the net.
• Work on footwork. As you improve, court positioning becomes as important as stroke technique. Learn the split step (a small hop just before your opponent hits) and recovery to the center.
• Play matches. Rallying is good for practice, but playing actual points adds pressure and tactical decision-making. Start with short sets (first to 4 games, for example) to practice without matches dragging on.
• Find playing partners. If your residential complex has a court, there are likely neighbors looking for someone to play with. Court booking apps make it easier to find players at your level in your area.
• Enter a social tournament. You do not need to be a professional to compete. Many clubs and communities organize internal tournaments by level — they are the best way to measure your progress and meet people.

Summary: your action plan to get started

If you have read this far, you already have all the information you need. Here is the simplified plan:

1. Buy the basics: beginner racket (30-60 euros), proper court shoes (40-80 euros), a can of balls (3-6 euros). Total: under 150 euros.
2. Find a court: municipal, community, or club. If you live in a residential complex with a court, start there.
3. Practice against a wall: 15-20 minutes of forehands and backhands, several times a week.
4. Find a partner or a class: playing with someone at your level or taking group lessons speeds up learning enormously.
5. Be consistent: two to three sessions per week, 45-60 minutes each. Within a couple of months you will notice significant improvement.
6. Enjoy the process: tennis is a lifetime sport. There is no rush.