Tennis For Beginners: A Simple Guide To The Game
Tennis For Beginners: A Simple Guide To The Game
This guide to tennis for beginners explains how a match works, how scoring and serving work, which strokes you learn first, and what to expect in your first weeks on court, so you can step onto the court knowing the basics.
Tennis for beginners starts with three basics: you rally the ball over the net into your opponent’s court, points are counted love, 15, 30, 40 and game, and you get two tries at each serve. Beginners usually learn the forehand, backhand and serve first, then start rallying.
How Tennis Is Played
Tennis is played by two players in singles or four players in doubles, on a court split in half by a net. Each player hits the ball over the net with a racket, and the ball may bounce once on your side before you return it.
You win a point when your opponent is unable to return the ball into your half of the court. Doubles uses the wider court, including the side alleys, while singles uses the narrower court inside them. Public courts are run by ActiveSG, and our guide to tennis courts in Singapore explains where to find one and how to book it.
Tennis For Beginners: Scoring Made Simple
Points are counted love (zero), 15, 30 and 40, with the server’s score called first. Winning the next point after 40 wins the game, as long as you are two points clear. At 40-40 the score is deuce, and a player then needs two points in a row to win the game.
A set goes to the first player to win six games with a two-game lead, such as 6-4. The ActiveSG guide to the basic rules of tennis sets out each rule in full, and it is worth reading once before your first match.
Serving In Tennis
Every point starts with a serve, hit from behind the baseline into the service box diagonally across the net. You get two attempts: miss the first and it is a fault, miss both and it is a double fault, and the point goes to your opponent.
The server starts each game from the right side of the baseline and switches sides after every point. Beginners usually learn a simple, steady serve first and add power once the motion feels natural.
The First Strokes To Learn
Lessons for beginners usually start with four strokes: the forehand, the backhand, the serve and the volley at the net. The forehand usually comes first, because it feels the most natural, and the backhand follows once you are comfortable moving to the ball.
Footwork matters as much as the swing. Moving early, turning your shoulders and hitting the ball at waist height make every stroke easier to control. In tennis for beginners, a coach works on these habits from the very first rally.
How Hard Is Tennis To Learn
Tennis for beginners takes some practice, as you are learning to time a moving ball, control the racket face and move your feet at the same time. The first rallies are often the hardest part, and the game gets more enjoyable once you can keep the ball in play.
How quickly you improve depends on how often you play and practise. Regular lessons and a few short practice sessions each week build the timing and confidence that make rallies last longer.
Tips For Adult Beginners
Start with a racket that feels light and comfortable in your hand, and wear tennis shoes with non-marking soles. Warm up before you play, drink water between games, and play in the cooler morning or evening hours in Singapore’s heat.
Set small goals, such as ten shots in a row with a friend, and celebrate them. When you are ready to start, our guide on how to start tennis in Singapore covers lessons, gear and where to find a court, and our adult tennis lessons are built for adults learning the game.
Tennis For Beginners: Learning With A Coach
A coach helps you learn the right technique from your first lesson, so good habits form early. Our private tennis lessons are S$109 a lesson, or S$1,200 for 12 lessons, and each lesson runs for one hour.
Tell us your area and the times that suit you, and we will match you with a coach. Tap the button below to message us on WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should beginners play singles or doubles first?
Either works well. Doubles shares the court between two partners, which makes it a relaxed, sociable way to start rallying with friends, while singles gives you more shots in every point and builds your fitness and footwork faster.
How often should a beginner play tennis?
Once or twice a week is a good rhythm when you start. It gives your body time to recover between sessions, and a short practice rally with a friend in between keeps the new movements fresh.
Is tennis good exercise for beginners?
Yes. Even a relaxed rally keeps you moving, stopping and changing direction, which works your legs, core and shoulders. You can keep the pace gentle while you learn and build up as your fitness and confidence grow.
Can I learn tennis at any age?
Yes. Children often start with softer, slower balls on smaller courts, and adults can begin at any age with lessons paced to their fitness. A coach adjusts the drills so every new player learns at a comfortable speed.
Click on the link to find out more about TM Tennis Academy’s lesson package. Chat with us today!
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