Is Tennis Hard to Learn? Yes, tennis can be a hard sport to learn. It requires a combination of technique, strategy, and physical fitness to play at a good level.
It can be challenging for a beginner to learn the basic strokes like forehands and backhands. However, with regular practice, you can definitely improve quickly, and it’s great fun!
I am Chris, a British tennis player based in London, ERSA Pro Stringer, and a fan of all things tennis. I have spent hours researching this in-depth, so you don’t have to (you’re welcome!). Seeing as you got this far, let’s jump straight in! Feel free to skip ahead to the bit that interests you!
Tennis basics: rules and equipment
So is tennis is hard to learn? Well, yes, you need to be able to combine skill, strategy, and precision all at once! That isn’t easy for a beginner, but trust me, I’ve been there!
As a beginner, it can help to have a good understanding of the basic rules of tennis. Matches are played in either a singles or doubles format. Players have to hit a fuzzy yellow ball over a net to their opponent. Sounds simple, right? So what’s the objective?
In essence, it is quite simple: you have to score points by making your opponent miss the ball! Easy right? Well, yes, it is! But we forgot about the scoring bit!
To start each point, players have to serve, aiming for a specific area in the service box. Following so far?
Next comes the tricky part: the scoring! You better get used to terms like ‘love‘ (zero), ‘deuce‘ (tie at 40-40), and advantage! I lost you, didn’t I? Sorry, but this is tennis lingo!
Ok, let’s move on. What about the equipment? Well, you might have guessed that you’ll need a ‘bat’, well we call them tennis racquets! Ideally, the grip should be the right size for your hand. Otherwise, it might slip!
What else? Shoes!!! Do not, I repeat, do not wear running shoes! You need the right support for your ankles as there will be a lot of changing directions to run for the ball.
And not just any tennis shoes; they need to be right for the surface you are playing on. Generally, ‘all court‘ shoes will do a job on most surfaces. But if you’re really keen, you can always get yourself some nice smart clay shoes! No, they are not made of clay; they are made for playing on clay.
Oh, and don’t forget about those fuzzy yellow things! They are also called tennis balls. Make sure they are suitable for all surfaces. Some are specific to the surface you are playing on.
Ok, with that said, I think you’re ready to hit the courts! But you might want to work on your fitness! As you’ll find out in the next part of this article, tennis can be exhausting!
Tennis can be physically demanding
Ok so we have established you need some basic equipment. However, Tennis is not just about swinging a racket! It can be one of the hardest sports to play physically.
Novak Djokovic burned an incredible 10,446 calories [1] during a Wimbledon championship. That is enough to charge 436 iPhones!
Exhausting right? Tennis is a sport that requires strength, agility, and endurance! That is what makes it such a good workout. Check out this intense rally between Djokovic and Nadal at the US Open in 2013. An incredible 54-shot rally!
To have a powerful serve and solid groundstrokes, you need strength. And it’s not really about arm strength; in fact, your arms are more to direct the ball.
What, not your arms? Yup – your power comes from the ground up! It starts with your legs but you also need a strong core as well to feel stable when hitting the ball.
It takes more than strength, though! You need to be able to move quickly from side to side to be able to return shots. So agility is massive!
In fact, the ability to change direction rapidly can make all the difference. During a match – just getting one more ball back can make the difference sometimes.
Much like running, endurance is needed in tennis, too. Some matches can last several hours on the professional level. So you need stamina to hang around for that lon
Cardiovascular fitness is essential so you can maintain your energy throughout the match. The odd banana can help, too, though!
As you’ll see in the next section, what’s between your ears is also important!
The mental challenges of learning tennis
Ever asked yourself why is tennis so challenging? Is tennis hard to learn, yet possible to improve at? Well, the truth is it is as much a mental game as it is a physical one.
I found early on that what was stopping me from getting better was less about my skill level. Turns out, it was mostly mental! Took me ages to work that out, so I’ve saved you the months or years! You’re very welcome!
Focus is so critical, in my opinion. There are so many things you need to be aware of. You have to consider the trajectory of the ball, where your opponent is, and your position on the court.
Any little distractions and I found that it can disrupt your shot massively.
Another big part of the game is strategy! You have to choose when to play aggressively or when to be slightly more defensive.
You also need to learn to anticipate where your opponent’s next shot will go. This takes time and experience, but for me, this is what makes the game so addictive!
Depending on how seriously you take it, you might want to enter competitions. And once you start down that road, trust me, you will need to develop mental resilience!
You will go through periods of frustration and doubt. And at times might even want to give up and choose another sport! I’ve been there; it can be tough.
What I’ve found helpful is to train yourself to focus for longer periods. You can also work on your strategic thinking in matches. Doing this can really accelerate the speed you can improve.
The guys over at Essential Tennis are big believers in the mental aspects of tennis. I found this video from them really useful.
Overcoming obstacles to learning tennis
At times, learning to play tennis can feel like one long climb up a mountain. I found that just as you feel like you are getting better at it, a whole new set of obstacles come your way.
It is also quite tough for beginners to master the basic strokes, and I know how frustrating this can be. But trust me, it is worth hanging in there!
I’ve learnt that setbacks are part of the journey. I know that sounds cliché. But the only way to get better is to develop a more healthy mindset. Instead of being hard on yourself after a loss, see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
There really is no way to improve other than to practice consistently. You do have to show up though and really put the effort into your practice. Simply knocking balls back and forth won’t really help you improve.
Practice makes permanent, they say. It is so key to get a good coach in your corner who can help you break down the complex skills into smaller chunks.
In my experience, this is the only successful approach to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Every player, no matter their level, faces obstacles when learning to get better at tennis. So take heart that you are certainly not alone in this journey!
I know it is easier said than done, but you can learn to embrace the challenges. You can begin to see them as contributing to your growth as a tennis player.
Tips for beginners to learn faster
Along my tennis journey I have found the fastest way to improve is through consistent practice. However, I thought I’d break down some key things that I had found made me improve the fastest when I first started:
- Join a local club – And take lessons from a qualified coach. They can give you direct feedback and address the things you need to work on.
- Regular drills – Set time aside each week outside of coaching to focus on one particular aspect or area. A lot of clubs have weekly drills you can join.
- Watch matches on TV! – You can learn so much about footwork, shot selection as well as match strategy. Look at where players position themselves prior to their opponent hitting their shot
- Challenge yourself – Decide to push yourself to play against people better than you. This will push you out of your comfort zone, and you’ll learn quicker.
- Mindset, mindset, mindset – It is critical that you have a positive mindset. Celebrate the small wins, even if that is as simple as you managed to get more first serves this week.
- Enjoy the journey – See each bit of progress as part of the overall process of becoming a better tennis player.
I cannot emphasize the last point more heavily. You’ll become a better player and get so much more out it it. Now, get out on the court!
Common mistakes by beginners and how to avoid them
Do not strangle the racket!! I don’t know why, but beginners always make the mistake of gripping the racket too tightly.
This is the worst thing you can do. Without getting too technical, it interferes with your swing. Don’t get me started on tennis elbow!
Hitting too close to your body and gripping too tightly is guaranteeed to give you elbow pain in the long run.
Try to focus on a relaxed grip, as this will improve your control. When I started, I used to say to myself, ‘loosey goosey‘ until it sunk in! You can whisper it if you think it makes you look silly!
Footwork is massive, too. Why, why, why do so many players hit the ball and stand still!!? You need to move and be ready for the next shot. It is worth practicing lateral movement. This will really improve your game massively. I write more about this in my article how to get better at tennis.
Beginners also seem to underestimate the importance of consistency. An old coach of mine used to say play once a week, and you’ll stagnate or get worse; play twice a week, and you’ll stay the same. Play three times a week or more, and you’ll get better rapidly.
Don’t try to hit the ball hard! Instead, consistency should be your main focus. Focus first on getting as many balls back over the net as possible before looking to add speed and power. The average rally is less than 4 shots [2], so this tells you how important it is.
Finally, do not, I repeat do not skip warm ups and cool downs. I know how tempting it is to just rush out on the court and hit balls. But I have learned from experience that skipping this only leads to injuries.
Some simple light drills such as these on coachtube [3] will really help to prevent injury during a match.
How to deal with frustration and setbacks when learning tennis
I won’t lie; learning tennis can feel like being on a rollercoaster at times. One moment, you’re hitting shots like Alcaraz [4]; the next, your shots are going in the net, and you’re hitting balls long. It’s frustrating, I get it.
You have to accept this is part of tennis. Acknowledge the feelings and know that it’s okay to feel annoyed, down or discouraged. The more you do so, the more you learn to overcome them.
They say the best players have short memories. Or rather, they only remember the good things during a match. It is so critical that you don’t dwell on mistakes.
Focus on the small victories. It can be as simple as how cleanly you hit the ball in practice or how many first serves went it. Trust me, it is those little wins that drive your motivation for the game!
Don’t do the same thing if it isn’t working. Don’t be afraid to switch things up now and again. No, this doesn’t mean changing your racquet if you lose a match!
Sometimes, it can be something as simple as a different drill that week. Or it might be simulating points in practice to add a bit of fun or focus to it.
Finally, I have learned to lean on others to help. It is friends, coaches or even fellow beginners when starting out. They can offer encouragement along the journey and make things more enjoyable.
Everyone faces new challenges when they are learning!
Benefits of learning tennis despite the challenges!
The more you play, the more you’ll enjoy it. Tennis offers so many benefits.
When starting it taught me mental resilience. Learning to master volleys and serves takes time but persistence does get you there.
Tennis also teaches you to problem solve. In singles matches it is you against your opponent! You have to problem-solve in the moment if something isn’t working.
Pushing through and finding a way strengthens your ability to tackle obstacles. This will help in your life outside of tennis!
You can’t play tennis without being fit! All that running back and forth is tiring. It is an incredible sport for cardiovascular health. You’ll definitely feel more energized after a tennis session.
It might even make you live longer! Studies show tennis can extend your life by as much as 10 years [5].
The other great thing about tennis is how social it is. By joining your local club, you’ll meet a ton of like-minded people and make new friendships. And who knows, meet a future partner!
Tennis also sharpens your mental agility. It requires you to think quickly and plan strategically to outwit your opponent. This can definitely translate into other aspects of your life.
It really is such a dynamic and enjoyable game. So what are you waiting for? Grab your racquet and some fuzzy yellow balls, and get out on the court!
Over to you!
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