| Is tennis good for you? | | | | many other games and exercises to help develop the |
| Absolutely - tennis is a gentle way of exercising for | | | | correct movement, co-ordination and dexterity for |
| beginners, and for more advanced players is a very | | | | tennis. |
| thorough workout. Physical activity increases energy | | | | If the full court seems too big at first, play a |
| and also helps you to stay healthy, fending off germs | | | | scaled-down version of the game in the four service |
| and infections. Playing one set of tennis would give you | | | | boxes of the court. As you start to become more |
| thirty minutes moderate physical activity, not to mention | | | | confident you will start to use tactics. Hitting a ball that |
| plenty of fresh air! | | | | comes near to you is easier than running to hit a ball - |
| How old do I have to be to start? | | | | therefore you'll soon realise that one aim is to try to |
| Obviously you have to be able to hold a tennis racket, | | | | make your opponent move in order to hit the ball. You |
| but there are plenty of opportunities for youngsters. | | | | will be better placed to hit each ball if you maintain a |
| Mini Tennis is an excellent game for starting off young | | | | good position on the court before and after each shot, |
| players under eight. Played with a scaled down racket, | | | | and you'll begin to understand the importance of good |
| foam balls and a small court the game is a fun | | | | positioning. Don't get caught out of position to one side |
| introduction to the full game. | | | | of the court or stuck half way between the baseline |
| How much will it cost? | | | | and the net. |
| Prices for coaching vary from club to club, but we | | | | Once you have mastered these basic principles, try to |
| always recommend keeping your lessons to half an | | | | play to the weakness of your opponent. This might be |
| hour or an hour, and to have group coaching. | | | | their forehand, backhand, volley, smash, or perhaps |
| How can I develop my game? | | | | running to the ball. Exploiting your opponent's |
| One way is to go for an intensive week of tennis, or a | | | | weaknesses will help you to start controlling the game. |
| break where you can play tennis at your leisure, there | | | | Also, remember to use your own strengths as much |
| are tennis holiday companies offering holidays both in | | | | as possible. You may enjoy serving, have a strong |
| the US and abroad. You can see a list of these in | | | | cross-court backhand, love to volley and play from the |
| Clubs and Camps. | | | | net - try to do more of what you enjoy! |
| Once you have found a court to play on and you start | | | | And keep at it! The world's best players spend many |
| to play tennis with your friends, family or other players, | | | | hours training and improving their game. Success may |
| you will naturally start to get a feel for the game. A | | | | not come immediately, so don't get downhearted if you |
| way to develop your hand-eye co-ordination is to | | | | don't always play at your best. |
| practice throwing and catching the ball either against a | | | | 'Tennis is a battle of minds, just as much as it is a |
| wall or with a partner. Your tennis coach will have | | | | battle of playing ability. |