Tennis Apparel

You will need clothes, shoes, and socks. There is an amazing amount of technology now in apparel, ranging from fast drying clothing to shock absorbing shoes and socks!

Choosing the right clothing is simply a matter of layering and breathe-ability, while the most important thing a tennis shoe will do for you is provide lateral stability (lessening the chances you turn an ankle), shock absorption, grip and comfort.

When trying on new tennis shoes, be sure to mimic movements you might use on the court. Layering and breathe-ability are the two most important features of any tennis wardrobe. Of course, that’s not to say that fashion is not important. Tennis apparel is becoming ultra fashionable. However, it’s all up to you!

Be sure your shirts allow full range of motion and your shorts, pants, and skirts have places for extra balls!

Vibration Dampeners

Modern tennis racquets make vibration dampeners less necessary. However, they are still helpful, particularly if you suffer from arm issues. You will notice that they change the feel of the tennis ball on impact. Try different types to see which you prefer. You can also try to make your own with rubber bands.

Over-grip

The goal of an over-grip is to make sure you stay connected with your tennis racquet! There are two general types of grips: tacky (i.e., sticky) and powdery (i.e., dry feeling). Try them both out to see which you prefer.

Tennis Bags

Look for something that is easy to carry, durable and will hold what you need to carry with you. How many racquets will you carry? shoes? clothes? balls? other things for the road? food?

Learn about other tennis gear: racquets, strings and balls

You might not think that the ball you play with matters, but it does, at least in the sense that it affects the game.

Tennis balls will vary in durability and playing feel. Some will feel harder or softer than others and play heavier or lighter than others. Tennis balls are also made specifically for the playing surface (cement, clay, & grass) on which you intend to use them.

To find the best tennis balls for you, experiment! Fortunately, balls are not as expensive as racquets or strings. If you play predominantly on hardcourts (typical in the US), you may want to see how long a particular type of tennis ball lasts before it is no longer playable. Competitive hardcourt players may have to open new cans of tennis balls several times a match while more recreational players can typically go a few outings before opening new balls. Think about this when comparing costs of tennis balls.

Playing with the same kind of tennis balls and using balls of the same age will remove one factor that will affect your playing. Of course, once you start playing competitively, you may want to become familiar with other balls and their playing characteristics

Learn about other tennis gear: racquets, strings and other accessories

Many racquets come pre-strung, and for a beginner, any of those kinds are fine and functional. However, if you’re becoming more serious about the game and are ready to jump into the world of tennis strings, you might not even know where to begin.

The first place would definitely be your racquet. Hopefully you’ve managed to find your one true love (in racquet form), because what good are the strings without an awesome racquet? So, assuming that special-someone-racquet is already in your duffel bag, it’s time to get it some strings.

Sure, there may be only two general types to pick from, but each type has different pros and cons that might make or break your game out on the courts. It all depends on what is right for you.

Natural Gut

I personally don’t want to know how anyone came up with the idea of using cow intestines as tennis racquet strings, but I’m glad they did. Gut strings offer a lot of benefits if you are willing to pay the extra cost for them. Gut strings offer better playability, feel, and control when compared to synthetic, but are indeed more expensive, and don’t have as much durability as synthetic does, so as your game gets better, your wallet might get a little lighter. Also, gut strings are more breakable, although they hold tension better.  However, they offer great playability and are easy on your arms. If you don’t typically break strings, gut might be the right choice for you.

Synthetic Gut

If you’d prefer to keep the weight of your wallet the way it is, you might want to consider going for synthetic strings, which are lower in cost than gut strings. High end synthetic strings are crafted by manufacturers with the objective of offering the benefits of gut strings, while adding durability. While it seems like synthetic strings have lots of pros – after all, where could you go wrong with a cheaper, more durable form of string with the same properties – some players disagree, saying that synthetic doesn’t offer nearly enough playability, feel, or control as gut string. Some other advice to consider is that there are definitely grades of synthetic strings, nylon strings being the lowest. Most racquets that come pre-strung are generally strung with nylon, which while fine for a beginner, may not be ideal for the avid player due to their tendency to break easily.

The Bionic Racquet – Hybrid Stringing

If you are one of those avid players, then you’ve probably heard of the process of “hybrid” stringing. Hybrid stringing involves using two types of strings on one racquet, which usually consist of a natural gut and a synthetic. The idea behind this process is to capture the best of both worlds. Stringing the crosses (side to side) with a gut string offers more playability while stringing the mains (head end to racquet handle) with a synthetic takes advantage of the durability and spin potential synthetic has to offer. Some people prefer the opposite set-up. You must experiment to see what works for you. Many pros play with a hybrid set-up, so this is not something just dreamed up by the string manufacturers!

String Tension

One of the tricky parts when stringing is getting the right tension for your racquet – something which again, boils down to personal preference. Thankfully, to make things a bit easier, your lovely racquet will come with a recommended tension range which you can use as a guideline to finding a tension that’s right for you. My additional tip for you would be to start with the racquet strung in the middle of that recommended range and then make adjustments if you feel that racquet is playing too loose or too tight. I call this the Goldi-Locks method – you have to test a few before you find the one that’s just right.

Don’t get Strung Out

Even though there are endless combinations of string and racquet pairings available, what matters most is what you feel most comfortable playing with. A lot of trial and error is going to come into play during your play out on the courts, but part of the fun of any sport is getting to know your gear, and how to make it work to your advantage. You might want to consistently experiment with different combinations, or perhaps you’ll find a combination that works well for you and just stick with it; either way is fine.  I’d be willing to bet that even some very advanced players couldn’t tell you what the ultimate and universally perfect string-and-racquet combo is – because they’re probably still looking for it too.

Need a racquet first?  Learn more about tennis racquets

While tennis racquets may look similar (okay, except for their funky colors and graphics!), they have features that lead them to play quite differently.

Racquets For Different Skill Levels

Beginner tennis racquets are typically lighter and larger with a greater surface area to strike the ball, while tennis racquets for more advanced players are typically heavier and have a smaller head.

Tennis racquets for beginning players are typically called game improvement racquets. They offer technology that helps the player with their game, offering power and a larger hitting surface. The advanced tennis player racquets are called players racquets. They offer greater stability and control and rely on the tennis player to generate the power. Tennis racquets that have characteristics between these are called tweener racquets. It is often the game improvement tennis racquets with the new technologies that tend to be the most expensive!

Major differences among tennis racquets (generally speaking)

• Head Size: A larger head offers more power and a larger sweet-spot (i.e., area where the ball can be hit most effectively, with control and the least vibration). A smaller head offers even more control, if you connect with the ball in its smaller sweetspot.
• Weight: A lighter racquet is easier to swing. However, it may not be stable against a hard-hitting opponent. A heavier racquet is more stable and offers more control and power.
• Frame Stiffness: A stiff racquet offers more power and provides more directional control. A flexible racquet offers more comfort. However, it is possible to have a flexible frame and a certain string set-up make the racquet quite powerful by providing a trampoline effect to the ball.
• Balance Point: Tennis racquets heavier at the head than the handle are called head-heavy racquets and offer more power and stability, whereas head-light racquets offer more maneuverability and therefore are better for volleying at the net.

How to Find Your Perfect Racquet

The best way to find your ideal tennis racquet is to try a lot of them. You will notice the difference. Most beginners don’t believe this until they try a few different racquets and find that there IS a difference! Some are downright awful while others suit them quite well. Most tennis shops and the good online tennis stores offer a demo policy that permits you to take out a tennis racquet for a trial run. There may be a small fee for each tennis racquet you try but you typically get that money back if you buy a racquet from the same retailer. Take advantage of the demos to see which best fits your game.

If you are learning with a tennis pro, ask him or her for recommendations. Also, ask people who have a similar game to yours. The tennis racquet you used years ago or at a less advanced level may not suit you well today. Older tennis racquets also become fatigued and weaken, which affects their playability.

Found the perfect racquet? Next up is strings.

Whether or not you are working with professional to improve your tennis game, it is important to spend time practicing and playing to work on your technique.

Playing games

Playing games is a great way to learn the game of tennis. You will notice that you will sometimes play well even when you practice poorly and vice versa. The more exposure you have to different types of competitors, the more prepared you’ll be for various styles of play.

You will find that hitting during tennis practice is quite different than playing in a tennis game. Playing games introduces pressure and a different sense of pacing that can throw off many early players. It’s important to become comfortable and learn how to thrive in game situations. Playing with tennis players with different playing styles can also really help your game.

Examples of various styles of play are the:

• Flat-ball hitter
• Heavy spin hitter
• Baseline player
• Serve and volleyer
• Lefty
• Dink player

Playing against opponents with different styles will help you to improve your game.

Playing Tournaments

Tennis tournaments take the game to the next level. Beyond the learning benefits of more play time, you will learn how to manage yourself throughout an entire tennis tournament.

There are tennis tournaments for players of all levels, including even the beginnerish 2.5 level. You may find tennis tournaments sponsored by a local club, pro, or community center. Some of these may run their own tournaments. In the US, some of these may also participate in tennis tournaments that are part of USTA.

Established in 1881, the USTA is a non-profit organization that promotes the sport of tennis. In addition to running tennis tournaments across the US, the USTA provides newsletters about upcoming events in your area and discounts on tickets to tennis events and USTA merchandise. As a member of USTA, you’ll also walk around knowing that you are helping to support the game you love.

Before your first tennis tournament, critically assess your current level of play and start with tournaments at or slightly below your self-evaluated skill level. Even if you are a seasoned player, tournament play introduces a lot of additional complexity that may challenge your on-court tennis performance. For the new tournament tennis player, this pressure could be overwhelming. Make sure you are at a level at which you feel like you can really hold your own.

You should arrive early to your tournament games and warm up appropriately. During and after the tennis tournament, take notes so you can learn from your experiences.

Watching Pros

Beyond playing, watching tennis tournaments can be a great way to learn. Here are some suggestions for what to watch for at a tennis tournament:

If you are working on a particular part of your tennis game, pay attention to what your instructor, book, video, etc. is telling you and watch to see how the pros do it. For instance, if you are working on your footwork, watch the way the top players glide around the court and position themselves for the next shot.

Watch how the pros manage their emotional state during a tennis match. What do they do when they are under pressure? What do they do when they are playing poorly?

Most importantly, of course, while doing any of these things – have fun!

Want to take your game to the next level?  Check out tennis schools and camps, clinics, and private lessons.

Tennis clinics tend to be 1 to 2 hour long group lessons that take place at resorts and clubs as well as community centers. A given tennis clinic may focus on particular aspects of the game such as groundstrokes or volleys and will typically cater to players of certain skill levels.

Tennis clinics offer an opportunity for group learning and are often the least expensive way to receive professional instruction. They are also an excellent way to meet local people with whom to play tennis.

Consider the following when seeking out a tennis clinic:

Tennis Clinic Goals
A wide range of clinics exist with a variety of goals. Ranging from Aerobic Cardio Tennis to intense stroke drill to casual Hit & Giggle (okay, they might not call them that), clinics exist for players of all levels and goals. Just be certain to join the appropriate one and ask about who else tends to show up.

Tennis Instructor
Depending on your goals, the instructors should have prior successful experience teaching other tennis players of your age and ability to achieve similar goals.

Other Participants
Knowing the ability level and number and types of other people who typically attend a certain tennis clinic will assure you that you will have the best possible environment for learning and enjoyment. Some tennis pros will run tennis clinics with 12 people. This makes for a more social environment but less tennis. Tennis clinics can be an excellent way to meet other people with whom to practice and play. Who knows, you might also make a friend or two!

Cost
Tennis clinics typically cost US$20 and up.

Check out other ways to learn tennis: schools and camps, private lessons and more.

Whether you only recently stepped foot on a court, or feel like you were born with a racket in your hand, attending a tennis school or camp is a great way to take your game to the next level, whatever level that may be. Tennis camp is also a great choice if you want to incorporate your favorite hobby into your next vacation. Typically held at resorts or tennis clubs, tennis schools and camps vary according to what and how much they offer. To be sure that you are spending your money wisely and getting the experience you are looking for, consider these important points before choosing a program:

Be Style Savvy
Imagine embarking on what you hoped would be a leisurely afternoon on the court only to end up being run ragged, bootcamp style, waking up painfully sore the next day. Or, perhaps worse, spending a decent chunk of change on a program that didn’t challenge you at all.  Some camps are more relaxed than others, so it is important to choose a camp that suits your style as a player and the goals that you hope to achieve. (And if you want a relaxing massage after your match, sore or not, make sure the facility offers spa services!)

Game On or Time Out?
It is also important to consider the structure of the school or camp that you choose.  If you hope to spend all day having hands-on fun in the sun, you’ll be very disappointed if you end up stuck indoors watching hours of videotape and listening to lectures on theory.  Many camps incorporate classroom instruction into their programs, so look into the balance of court time and study time. In addition, if you want some intense 1:1 action, make sure the school offers that and not just group instruction.  It is also important to check the camp’s hours and schedule to see how much, if any, free time you will have. Incorporating tennis into your one vacation of the year may sound like a great idea, but be sure to consider whether or not you want some relaxation time for yourself as well.

Pro Schmo
You don’t want to shell out big bucks for a big name instructor whose face you only wind up seeing on the brochure.  Star instructors have varying degrees of involvement in the camps they lend their name to, so it is important to know before you go and not choose on name alone.  The credentials of the tennis pros who are actually leading day to day instruction are most important.  Have they led someone like you to tennis stardom in the past?  Okay maybe not, but they should at least have proven experience helping someone at your ability level improve their game.  It is also important to consider whether you prefer instruction customized to the way you already play the game, or if you are willing to learn new techniques.  If you are from the old dog school of thought, you don’t want to be stuck with an instructor who insists on reinventing the wheel.

Nobody Likes Soggy Tennis Shoes
When it comes to location, think about the mixture of free time and tennis time and whether or not you want to spend time venturing out of the school’s facility.  Beautiful mountains or a gorgeous beach can be wonderful, unless the potential for distraction takes away from your ultimate goal of bettering your game. Also, being prepared for the weather in your destination is especially important when traveling for a sports program. Outdoor tennis camp in New Hampshire? Sounds lovely.  Outdoor tennis camp in New Hampshire… in February? Not so much.  If you choose a camp in a temperamental climate, you may want to look into the availability of indoor courts.

The Other Guy
Interested in a little healthy competition? You might not want to go head to head with a beginner if you are proud 4.0 player. Since the tennis camp or tennis school can’t always control who comes to a certain session, investigate the ability level of the other students in your session to ensure you aren’t stifling yawns throughout your matches, or ducking for cover as power serves whiz toward your face at impossible speeds. Ability levels can vary within a camp; being evenly matched with your peers will guarantee you the best and most helpful instruction. Group size is also an important factor in the effectiveness of instruction. Will the school stick to their advertised student teacher ratio even when faced with varying skill levels within the group? The best option is a camp that will split students into appropriately matched groups, even if that means hiring more instructors for fewer students.

Above all, consider what you are hoping to achieve by attending a tennis camp or school and what aspects of the camp contribute most importantly to that goal.  Once you have decided what you are looking for, check out our online resources to find a specific camp that best suites your needs.  Considering feedback from past participants in our community is a great place to start.  You can learn from the mistakes of those who didn’t choose as wisely as you will – then challenge them to return the killer serve you perfected at tennis camp.

Not sure about a tennis camp or school?  Check out other ways to learn, like private lessons, clinics, and more

Private tennis lessons are offered by professional instructors often called tennis pros. Rates tend to be by the hour and vary depending on the experience of the tennis instructor or tennis pro and how many students are in your private group.

Private one-on-ones with a tennis pro are an excellent way to get started to make sure you do not develop any bad habits. It is also the best option for you to learn advanced dynamics on all facets of your game. Almost all professional players have a coach who serves this purpose.

Give close attention to the following when looking for a tennis pro:

Coaching Style

Your tennis pro should be supportive of your goals and be excited to encourage you to achieve them. Make sure he/she takes you seriously and be certain that his/her motivational techniques complement your personality. You should also understand how the tennis pro you are considering teaches. Some tennis pros will simply hit with you for most of the lesson while others run you through a variety of drills. Some are highly technical while others are less so. When assessing a tennis pro, it’s important to understand how best you learn.

Experience

Your tennis pro should have prior successful experience teaching other tennis players of your age and ability to achieve similar goals. Some tennis pros specialize in specific students such as advanced juniors or women beginners. If a tennis pro has a specialty, make sure it matches with your goals.

Cost

Typically, private lessons with a tennis pro will cost you around US$50-75/hr. However, you can find ex-college players who will charge less and some very seasoned tennis pros who will cost over US$150/hr.

Private lessons not for you?  Check out tennis schools and camps, clinics, or other ways to learn.

Instructors used to exclusively teach the closed stance because it forces you to get into better position and allows better leverage hitting the tennis ball…and because it is easier to teach beginners to hit with a closed stance than the other stances.  However, with the modern game of tennis being as fast as it is, with modern equipment (i.e., tennis racquets and tennis strings) enabling players to hit harder with more control, it is sometimes difficult to get into the closed stance for all your shots.

You should experiment with each stance to see what works better for you.  Some ways of holding the tennis racquet are better suited to some stances than others.  For example, players who hit with a western grip tend to use an open stance.

TYPES OF TENNIS STANCES

Closed
Your lower body is aligned parallel to the flight of the tennis ball, which typically means your feet are facing the side of the court as you hit the ball. Most beginners are taught first to use this stance. Some instructors refuse to teach anything but this stance.

Open
Your lower body is aligned perpendicular to the flight of the tennis ball, which typically means your feet are facing the net when you hit the ball. Many instructors will not teach this stance as it can encourage bad form. However, many pros play with this stance.

Semi-Open
As you certainly can guess, this lies somewhere in between.  This tends to be a good compromise stance for the tennis grips used today and the speed of today’s modern game.  It urges you to get into a “strong” form before hitting the ball but recognizes that you can’t always (and might not want to) get into a closed stance.

continue to Learning Tennis – Private Tennis Lessons

Some players hit all their shots with the same type of spin while others vary the spin depending on the game situation.  Good players can mix up their shots by putting a variety of spins on the ball from one shot to another to keep their opponents off-balance.

SPINS AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Topspin

• Racquet brushes up from bottom part of the back of the ball.
• The ball spins end over end toward the net.
• Results in a shot that makes the ball dip towards the opponent’s court and then bounce high when it lands.
• With topspin, it is possible to hit the ball hard yet clear the net with a safe margin and still expect the ball to land inside the court.
• Many players hit lots of or only topspin shots in the modern game of tennis .

Flat

• Racquet hits through the ball without brushing up or down on the backside of the ball.
• Useful for driving the ball deep into the opponent’s side of the court.
• There is the least tolerance for mis-hit as it is difficult to keep the ball in while clearing the net with a good margin since there is no spin to bring the ball down into the court.

Slice

• Racquet brushes down and through the bottom of the ball toward the net.
• Results in a shot that stays low and bounces low.
• Even players who hit lots of top spin often mix in a slice backhand.

continue on to Tennis Stances – 3 Different Types