Get Started in Tennis: Play, Practice, and Compete
GET STARTED
Interested in playing tennis? You've picked a great sport! Research shows that tennis increases life expectancy up to ten years. To start, you need equipment (a tennis racquet and tennis ball), a local court, and a partner to play with. Interested in going solo? You can find a wall nearby and practice there. The wall is the toughest opponent as it never misses!
HOW TO FIND COURTS
We recommend doing an internet search for local parks that have tennis courts as they are often the cheapest option for play. Local tennis clubs may charge a fee, but joining a junior or adult clinic can help you meet like-minded and similarly leveled players that you can practice with on your own.
resources
to get you playing, practicing, and competing!
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If you are looking for lessons, the Professional Tennis Registry is a certifying body of teaching professionals with a directory of certified pros you can work with.
PTR Coach Directory -
If you’re interested in competition as an adult, you can either play events at your local club or play in your area’s league tennis program. Leagues are often governed by the United States Tennis Association (USTA), which is divided into seventeen sections (or regions). Contact your local league coordinator for more info on how to join a USTA league.
If you continue competing, you will be eventually work into the NTRP rating: a measuring tool that indicates a person’s current playing ability. For more information about the NTRP ratings, please click the button below.
USTA League Contacts
Understanding NTRP Ratings -
If you’re interested in competition as an junior (ages 18 and under), you can play events at your local club or search for USTA play opportunities through the USTA. From entry level to most competitive, the events start at USTA Team Challenges and USTA Junior Team Tennis, followed by USTA Junior Circuit events, and finally USTA tournaments. Tournaments range in difficulty from Level 1 to Level 7, with 7 being the lowest level (recommended for intermediate tennis skill) and Level 1 being the highest level (National Championships). For more information on each type of event, please click the corresponding button below.
Getting To Know The USTA Junior Competitive Pathway
USTA Team Challenge
USTA Junior Team Tennis
USTA Junior Circuit
USTA Junior Tournaments -
Make the case for tennis in your community with facts, inspiration and practical advice from the newly-revised USTA National Advocacy Handbook. Learn how to engage local public and private sector decision-makers, and harness public support and resources to expand tennis programming and facilities.
USTA Tennis Advocacy