Tennis is singles or doubles on a big court: a strung racket, the ball over the net and one bounce on your side. The start is harder than in padel or pickleball, because the court is big and the ball is fast. After a few lessons the real rallies come, and tennis is a game for life. Here is what you need, how to find a court and an opponent, and how to keep the score.
What you need
- Racket. Many tennis clubs rent rackets. A beginner does best with a lighter racket with a bigger head: the ball flies more easily and your arm does not tire.
- Balls. New balls play better than old soft ones. Whoever booked the court brings a tube, or you take turns.
- Shoes. Tennis shoes that suit the surface (clay, hard court or an indoor carpet). In running shoes it is easy to twist an ankle when you move sideways.
A court and an opponent
A tennis court is usually booked for an hour. In summer people play outdoors, in winter in indoor halls, where courts cost more and fill up sooner. The venue's page on kahur.ee links to its website and booking.
Three ways to find an opponent:
- Club nights. At a club night the app pairs players by level and you play several opponents during the evening. You come alone. Kahur.ee club nights are on the town pages and on each club's page.
- Beginner lessons. A coach sets your grip, forehand, backhand and serve. A few lessons at the start save you from habits that are hard to lose later.
- Doubles. With four players there is less running and more talk. Many people start with doubles.
Your first time on court
- Start short. Hit the first balls from between the service lines, not from the baseline. Control comes before power.
- Let it bounce. A beginner hits the ball best when it has started to drop after the bounce.
- The serve is hard. The first serve can be harder, the second safer. Two faults in a row give the point to the opponent.
- Scoring. In a game: 15, 30, 40, game. At 40 all it is deuce, and you need two points in a row to win the game, or one deciding point if you agreed on it. A set is played to 6 games, and at 6 all a tie-break to 7 points decides.
The full rules in Estonian are on the tennis rules page.
How your level grows
At club nights and kahur.ee competitions your level is worked out after every game. A win against a stronger player raises it more, and a loss to a stronger player lowers it little. Once your level is known, a club night or an open game finds you an opponent of your kind.
What beginners ask
Can I start tennis as an adult? Yes. Many clubs run lessons for adult beginners, and every level plays at a club night.
Which is easier, tennis or padel? Padel is easier at the start, because the court is small and you serve underarm. Tennis needs more technique, and gives you more room for your own game.
How long does a match take? One set takes about an hour, the best of three sets one and a half to two hours. At a club night you usually play one set against each opponent.