Do you want to learn to play tennis, but don't know where to start? Do you like watching Rafael Nadal or Maria Sharapova dominate the pitch, and want to play as well as they do? Playing tennis can help build speed, strength and fitness. It can also be a great way to spend time with family and friends. Learn the layout of the tennis courts, the scoring system and all the techniques needed to play like a pro!
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Part 1 of 4: Preparation Stage
Step 1. Find a place to play
You can play tennis on public courts, gyms, or tennis clubs. Try searching the internet for the best tennis venues in your city or ask friends. Sometimes there are tennis courts that you can use for free, but usually you need to pay a court fee or a tennis club membership.
You can practice basic serving techniques in any open space, but it's best to play as much as possible on the tennis court. You'll learn the layout of the court more quickly, and minimize the risk of you breaking something with a racket or tennis ball
Step 2. Purchase tennis equipment
You don't need to buy professional-grade tennis gear right away, but beginners will need a few things before getting started. Tennis clubs or gyms can have a basic supply of tennis equipment for their members, but if you don't have one, you'll have to buy your own.
- You will need a racket and scabbard. For beginners, you just need to make sure the handle of the racket feels comfortable in your hand. The racket shouldn't feel too heavy to move, but it shouldn't be too light as if it's holding nothing. There are some rackets that are specifically designed for men or women, but you should still prioritize comfort over racquet gender.
- Purchase a minimum of 3 tennis balls. These balls are easy to lose!
Step 3. Prepare the tennis outfit
Try asking the fitness center or tennis club staff if there is a dress code in place. Otherwise, you can wear loose, comfortable athletic clothing.
- More restrictive clubs may require members to purchase shoes, shirts, tennis pants and tennis skirts (for women). However, not all clubs enforce this.
- Tennis shoes are ideal for playing tennis. However, if you don't have one, you can wear all kinds of sneakers.
Step 4. Find an opponent
After learning the basics of tennis, you will need an opponent to practice with. Try to get anyone in the field to help you learn. If not, try bringing friends, family, or even try searching the internet for a tennis association in your city.
Part 2 of 4: Learning the Basics
Step 1. Learn the parts of a tennis court
Knowing the different areas of the tennis court is the first step in learning to play tennis. Parts of the tennis court are used for various types of games; so, walk around the field for a while before starting to practice.
- The tennis court is divided into two sections separated by a net; one side is yours, and the other side belongs to your opponent. You may not touch the net or get the ball stuck in the net during play.
- The parallel line furthest from the net is the baseline. You must stand behind this line to make the first serve.
- The parallel line between the baseline and the net is the service line. When serving, the ball must land in the area between the service line and the net on the opponent's court.
- The small line in the middle of the baseline is the center mark. This sign will determine where you stand when serving.
- The service area is divided by a vertical line perpendicular to the net and the service line. This line divides the two service areas into right and left sides.
- The two lines on each side of the court that are perpendicular to the net are the boundary line. The lines on the inside are for single matches and the outside lines are for double matches.
Step 2. Learn how to calculate scores in a game of tennis
One player serves per game. After serving, the two players begin to fight for a point. Points are awarded to your opponent when the ball you hit goes off the court, hits the net, or fails to return to the opponent's court. The game ends when one player scores 4 points with a margin of at least 2 points. For example, a score of 4-2 means the game is over, while a score of 4-3 means the game must continue.
- The game of tennis starts with a score of 0 for both players. In tennis, a score of 0 is called “love” (lof).
- The score is usually announced before each serve. For a score of 1, the referee or server says "fifteen". When the score is 2, the referee or server says "thirty". Then "forty" for a score of 3, and a score of 4 is the winning score, and simply is called a "game".
- Each serve point is awarded to the player whose stroke does not hit the net, goes off the court, or does not allow the ball to bounce twice on his court. The player who fails to perform any of these actions will award points to the opponent.
- "Breaking serve" occurs when a game is won by a player who does not serve.
Step 3. Play all the practice games in sets
Tennis is played in sets, which means the game isn't over after you've won one game. A set consists of 6 games, and has a difference of 2 games against the opponent. For example, if one player wins 6 games and the opponent wins 5, the game continues until one player has 2 more games than the other.
- If the two players each manage to win 6 games, usually what is called a tie break is done.
- Tennis matches usually last for 3-5 sets.
Step 4. Practice hitting the ball with the racket
Before actually starting to serve or play tennis, familiarize yourself with your racket and tennis ball. Practice throwing the ball in the air and hitting it until you can hit it hard several times in a row. Don't worry too much about hitting accuracy; You just focus on the sensation in the racket and the ball.
Step 5. Learn how to hit the forehand
Forehand strokes are made by holding the racket with your dominant hand, as if shaking hands with it. Then, swing the racket back through your sides, then hit the ball forward and up. This stroke is best suited for softer, higher serves.
Step 6. Learn to hit the backhand
The backhand is one of the easiest strokes to master. Grip the racket with both hands and swing it backwards through the sides. You will look like a baseball player about to hit the ball. As the ball approaches, swing the racket forward and slightly up to hit it. This shot hits the ball pretty hard and is good for ensuring the ball goes into the opponent's service area.
Backhand strokes can also be done with one hand. You only use your dominant hand, but the rest remains the same. However, this technique is more difficult to control
Step 7. Learn how to do volleyball
Volleyball is a way to return low serve strokes. There are two types of volleys: forehand and backhand. For a forehand volley, the racket is held in the dominant hand with the back of the hand facing the baseline. You simply bend low towards the ball and hit it.
Backhand volleys are done in a similar way, except the back of the hand is facing the net. The movement of the backhand volley is similar to elbowing someone away while crouching
Part 3 of 4: Playing Tennis
Step 1. Perform a coin toss to determine a servicer
In tennis, one of the players starts the first serve of the game. It is customary to high-five a coin to determine it, and players who do not get served can choose the side of the court they want. The server continues to serve until the game is over. In the next game, another player serves.
Step 2. Stand at the corner of the baseline
The game starts when both players are on the baseline. On his first serve, the player stands behind the baseline on the right side of his court, and the opponent stands behind the baseline on the right side of his court (the left side of the opponent's court, from your point of view).
Stand facing the corner across the field. Try one foot slightly on the baseline, and the other foot 45 cm behind the baseline. Do not let your feet touch the baseline because it will be declared a violation
Step 3. Hold the racket
You are free to hold the racket as long as it is gripped by the handle. Hold the racket firmly with your dominant hand and point it forward, until the racket's head is more or less in line with your head.
When you are not a server, you can hold the racket with both hands. Normally, the dominant hand holds the top of the handle and the non-dominant hand grips the bottom of the handle, but there is no standard way to grip the racket; to be sure, you should only hold the racket by the handle
Step 4. Throw the ball into the air with your non-dominant hand
If you are a serve, throw a tennis ball in the air towards the racket. You may toss the ball multiple times as long as you don't swing the racket, or bounce the ball onto the court before starting the serve. Familiarize yourself with the ball and how to hold it before serving.
- If you want to practice your throw, don't hit it with the racket as it will be considered a foul, which will only result in points for your opponent! It's best not to practice hitting when you're already playing.
- If you are not a serve, continue to hold the racket and wait for the opponent's serve.
Step 5. Aim your serve towards your opponent's service area
When the ball approaches the head of the racket, hit it diagonally towards the opponent's service area. Aim for the part of the service area that is close to your opponent. The goal is to force the ball to bounce once before it can be returned.
- If the serve hits the net but still lands in the opponent's service area, it is called a “let” and you have the right to repeat the serve.
- If the ball does not move from your side of the court, goes out of bounds, or misses completely, the serve is considered a foul. You can repeat the serve one more time, but if this second serve is also a foul, the opposing player gets a point.
Step 6. Run to another corner of your court and hit your opponent's return ball
After serving, immediately run to the other side of the baseline. Hit the ball firmly with the racket head slightly up. It takes practice to learn how to return serves effectively so don't be discouraged if you still fail.
Step 7. Keep playing until one of the players wins points
Points are only awarded when the ball is dead so keep playing until one wins points! The fight for points can last from a few seconds to minutes, but as a beginner, points are usually awarded quickly.
When points are awarded, you can say the score and serve until one of the players wins the game. Then, keep going until one of the players wins the set
Part 4 of 4: Practicing Advanced Techniques
Step 1. Perform an overhead punch
Overhead is a hit when the opponent lobs overhead. The trick, you hit the ball overhead into the other side of the opponent's court so that it cannot be returned. Wait until you are given a stomach ball to try it. This stroke is not suitable for returning regular serve.
- Hold the racket behind your head so it rubs against your back.
- When the ball is almost overhead, hit it down when the racket is over the net, like serving. Aim to the other side of the field away from your opponent.
- You can also hit overhead like hitting serve.
Step 2. Add topspin to your stroke
Adding topspin will make the ball bounce higher and move faster. Do not hit the ball in the middle of the face of the racket as usual.
- Use the racket to hit the side of the ball.
- As soon as you hit the side of the ball, move the racket back and forth, then hit the top of the ball. This technique will make the ball spin and follow a parabolic path instead of just a straight line.
Step 3. Learn how to do a slice punch
Slices allow you to change the direction of the ball and slow it down so it loses momentum and stops on your opponent's court before you can catch it.
- To hit the slice, hit the ball from the bottom first.
- Then, immediately bring the racket forward towards the opponent's side. This move will slow down the ball as it approaches, making it difficult for your opponent to return it.
Step 4. Learn to play on different courts
There are several types of courts on which to play tennis, and each affects your speed and playing skills. Learn to play on multiple surfaces to significantly improve your game.
- In Indonesia, hard and clay courts are the most common. Clay courts are great for beginners because they don't put too much strain on the joints.
- Clay surfaces tend to slow down the game. The ball also bounces the highest on this type of court.
- Grass courts are commonly used at Wimbledon, United Kingdom. Grass court play tends to be very fast because the ball doesn't bounce much and players tend to miss serves.
Step 5. Read the opponent's strategy
To become more proficient at playing tennis, learn how to read your opponent and use his strategy to beat him. This is a skill that takes a long time to develop so don't worry if you're still not good at it.
- Many players, especially beginners, prefer one particular stroke. If you see that your opponent likes to hit the ball with a forehand, you can give him a low ball so he is forced to hit a backhand.
- Many players love or hate playing near the net. Know your opponent's playing preferences near the net. If he's on the baseline most of the time, hit the serve near the net to force him closer to the net.
- Know your opponent's serve. Each player has their own serving style. If your opponent always hits the serve in the same direction at the same height, make sure you're standing in the ideal position to return it!
- Study the opponent's mental state. Opponents who are stressed or upset are easy targets. If he reacts angrily, misses an easy hit, or doesn't seem to be paying attention to the game, you can give him a variety of strokes to confuse him.
Step 6. Learn how to play doubles
Doubles tennis is played with two people per team. You will use the outer court line, but the rules and how to get the score are the same. The biggest challenge in doubles is learning how to work together with friends. Ask your expert friends to teach you the best strategy for playing doubles tennis.
There is also a variation of double tennis called Canadian double, where one team consists of two players, and the other team only has one player. This game is usually done when there is one player who is much more proficient than the other
Tips
- Be patient with yourself when learning to play tennis. People spend their entire lives perfecting tennis strokes and strategies. You just keep improving your game over time.
- Wear tennis shoes, sneakers or sneakers while playing. Don't wear ballet flats, high heels, or flip-flops to play tennis.
- Make sure your opponent knows that you are a beginner. Sometimes opponents will even want to relax the game to help you learn and improve.
- Use the services of a personal tennis coach to guide you to hone your skills and develop your tennis game.
- Once you've perfected your basic tennis strokes, you can start learning how to hit the back, overhead, and volley.
- Once you're confident in your basic skills, try to find an amateur competition in your city. You will meet fellow tennis fans and judge your skills in competitions.
