Tennis, as we know, is a royal sport that is played and loved among 87 million people across the world. If you love watching Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal smash the ball over to the opponent, I am sure you will love playing it too.
If you know how to play tennis, it will improve your body health by increasing your agility, footwork, your balance, and your hand-eye coordination as well.
Now that you have taken enough rest over the pandemic phase, it is the best time for you to get your body moving and learn how to play tennis. With the entire scoring system onboard, tennis might seem like a difficult game. However, once you start playing, you will realize how simple it is and eventually fall in love with the game!
Why Should You Learn How To Play Tennis?
While reading this article, if it ever crosses your mind as to why you should learn how to play tennis, I have a suggestion for you. It is that if, as a human being, you are motivated enough, you can overcome anything. It is always good to learn something new. That only helps you to evolve as a better person in society.
When you get to learn something new, it helps you come across new people and gather more knowledge. It also lets you flex among your friends and family about something not everybody knows. It is a kind of sport that not only adults but children should also learn.
Taking tennis lessons can be a rewarding experience that promotes skill development and provides a structured approach to learning. The game involves a lot of body movement, which helps to burn a lot of calories and also keeps your mind sharp.
The game involves a lot of body movement, which helps to burn a lot of calories and also keeps your mind sharp.
Beginner’s Step By Step Guide To Learn How To Play Tennis
To be very honest, there is no age limit for learning how to play tennis. You might find it a bit hard at the very start. However, if you follow each and every step slow and steadily, you can be an expert someday.
Step 1: Choosing Your Perfect Racquet
Your level of skill will determine which kind of racquet will suit you the best. Meanwhile, you must be familiar with the kinds of racquets that are available in the market. These are:
- Power racquets – larger heads, very lightweight and easier to swing.
- Tweener racquets – medium-sized heads, mid-ranged weight, and balanced swing.
- Control racquets – smaller head size, heavier in weight, precise control.
If you have never held a tennis racquet before, you might just have to choose the Power racquet as it is easier to handle and minimizes the option of missing the hit. But if you already know how to play tennis well, you will eventually need the control racquets for a better game.
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Step 2: Learning The Grip
Before you learn how to play tennis, the more important aspect is that you know how to hold the racquet. It is important that you loosen your grip in between the strokes but make sure to hold it tight when you are about to swing the bat. The different types of grip are:
1. The Eastern Grip
- As a right-handed player, hold the racquet in front of your left hand.
- Rotate to make the face of the racquet perpendicular to the ground.
- On the face of the racquet, put the palm of your free hand flatly.
- Move your hand towards the shaft of the racquet until the end of the handle.
- Wrap your fingers but keep a little space in between while gripping the handle.
- Your forefinger and thumb should form a V shape pointing towards your right shoulder.
2. The Western Grip
- Initially, hold the racquet in the same way as with an Eastern grip.
- By relaxing the grip and rotating the racquet counterclockwise, point towards the 11’o clock position.
- Make sure to keep your fingers a little spaced while wrapping your fingers around the handle.
- The thumb should lie across the top of the handle, and the V formation should point towards your right.
3. The Continental Grip
- Start with the Eastern grip.
- Soothe your grip over the racquet with your left hand.
- Firstly, turn the racquet perpendicularly towards the ground, then point it to the 1’o clock position.
- Keep space between the fingers while wrapping around the handle.
- The V shape formed must be pointing towards you.
- The bottom knuckle of the index finger shall be laid over the handle.
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Step 3: Learn How To Play Tennis Shots
Now that you are familiar with the various grips, the next step in the instructable will tell you about the different types of shots that you can play in tennis. Here is what you need to know:
1. Serve
It is the most important part of a game that starts at every point. Experienced people who know how to play tennis will often attempt to hit an aggressive shot on the first serve. The second serve tends to be slower and more cautious.
2. Forehand Stroke
A type of shot made by swinging the racquet from the right side across the body towards the direction in which the player wants to place the ball. It ends on the left side of the body.
3. Backhand Stroke
It is a type of shot that is played in tennis by swinging the racquet away from the body towards the direction in which the player wants to hit the ball. It begins from the right hand across the body and ends toward the left part.
4. Volley
It is a type of shot that players usually hit before the ball drops on the ground. With this shot, you can compel your opponent to defend, or you can even hit a winner shot.
5. Drop Shot
It is only when you are well acquainted with how to play tennis, you will be able to execute this shot. To apply such a shot, you need to delicately hit a slice so that the ball clears the net by a short margin and ends up spinning backward after hitting the ground.
6. Lob
If your opponent has approached too close to the net, you can try hitting the lob shot that goes above the head of your opponent to give you an extra point.
7. Tweener
The tweener is a very skillful shot that only professionals who know how to play tennis extremely well can easily execute. It is a trick shot that indulges you in hitting the ball through between your legs while facing the opponent with your back.
Knowing How To Play Tennis Is Worth All The Effort
I hope I could help you with the basic instructions on how to play tennis. Now all you need to do is find a good court around, and you can get started.
Once you get your hands set with the racquet and start understanding the rules, it will become more interesting for you. The game not only keeps you active but also helps you to socialize among the circuit.
