The modern game of tennis has been around for about 140 years. It developed from various other sports such as rackets, lawn sports and handball-style games. It is now an Olympic sport with over 75 million players worldwide. Tennis is very accessible as the only requirements are a tennis ball (usually yellow and fuzzy) and 2 players, each with a racket. Many local councils have tennis courts that are free to use or you can visit your local club where you can often pay to play.
Tennis is a great sport for children to take up. Being part of a tennis club places a child in a different circle of friends and may help to develop their confidence. Tennis is also a good sport for the whole family to play together.
What should you be thinking about to help you choose the right tennis coach for your child?
The Association for Tennis Professionals (ATP) – responsible for professional male players’ interests.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) – similar to the ATP but for women.
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) – The British association for professional and amateur tennis and the National Governing Body.
There are no formal qualifications for tennis students. Instead, players are able to compete on a level suitable to them. For example city leagues, county level tournaments or even nationally. This can be done by entering tournaments hosted by the LTA which your coach can advise you about.
A coach may hold a United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC) qualification. These comes in levels 1-3 and represent different capability levels where 1 can teach beginners and 3 can teach students to play competitively at a county level.
Playing tennis is a sociable activity that can provide a different group for your child to mix in outside school. Coaching often involves small groups of children with similar ability levels so it is a great opportunity to make new friends. If your child joins a tennis club it is likely that the whole family will be able to get involved as there may be regular tournaments and social events to attend.
Of course tennis provides the physical benefits of many sports but is particularly good for increasing spatial awareness and coordination. Playing regular matches is also great for encouraging good sportsmanship.
Roger Federer (born August 8, 1981) – Even at over 30 years old (that’s old for a tennis player apparently!!) the Swiss champion is still achieving great success. His 17th grand slam title was achieved at Wimbledon 2012. Federer gained an interest in tennis at the age of four by studying the game on television. He is now the highest earner in the game at over £45 million.
Tim Henman OBE (born September 6, 1974) – The Former British number 1 has won a total of 0 grand slam titles. He is a shining example of how you don’t need to be winning to have fun doing something you love. He has had 11 tournament wins overall however as well as an Olympic gold medal for the men’s double event in Atlanta 1996. Henman started playing tennis with his family on their court at home as soon he could walk!
Fred Perry (1909 – 1995) did not start playing tennis until the age of 18, although he was very successful in the game of table tennis before that. Eight years later he would go on to become the first person to achieve a career grand slam, being the only British man to have ever made it. He is also the only player in history to have won major tournaments in tennis and table tennis.
Steffi Graf (born June 14, 1969) is the only female player to have achieved the Golden Slam – measured by winning all four grand slam titles as well as an Olympic gold medal for tennis. She has also won the most grand slam titles of the “open era” and holds the record for the longest time as World Number 1 at 377 weeks. Graf was introduced to tennis at the age of 3 and had won her first tournament by the age of 5!
Elton John (born March 25, 1947) - The singer best known for “candle in the wind” is also known as a tennis fanatic. As well as playing, he enjoys watching and hosting charity tournaments, particularly for his own AIDs charity.
An exciting rally between Federer and Hewitt.
A reliable serve is the most important shot in tennis. Mastering the basic serve technique isn't easy - watch this guide and follow the progressions tips to get a sound and reliable basic serve technique.
Under 8 Kent Mini Red Tennis Championship 2010 - check out the rally!
good sport to learn hard beagging but easyer later
Tennis is the best sport there is to play.
I like playing tennis because: It helps keep me fit, it is sociable, it can be played with another 1, 2 or 3 people, it is outside, it reduces stress immensely, it doesn’t cost too much, it doesn’t take too long, it is long enough to build up a sweat, it is not too hard on the joints, you feel good when you win but it if you have had a good game you don't feel that bad if you lose, you can be a different standard to your opponent and still have an enjoyable game, it can be exciting, it is not life threatening, you feel good afterwards and you are always learning.
I started playing tennis seriously when I was about 9 years old (I am now 11). I always used to have a lesson every Saturday but that was just with friends and not at all serious. I was inspired after a friendly tennis tournament with the school. I love tennis because it is fun, I am good at it, I am competitive and the game is great for that and it is outdoors all year round. Tennis is a hard game because you get physically tired, especially in the summer and it is hard when you lose a match. There are lots of basics to learn before you start too. My best moment in tennis was when I won my first tournament.
I had tennis coaching with my sister when I was 9 years old for two or three years. We used to go to a tennis club straight after school - we had to change into our tennis whites in the car on the way - then had an hour's lesson with a lovely man called Richard. Luckily he had the patience of a saint as we weren't a particularly talented pair. The most torturous part was when we actually used to try to play a game because neither of us could get our serve in. Eventually some of Richard's skill did rub off on us and our game did improve. We really enjoyed our coaching and my sister still plays now.
I started playing tennis seriously when I was about 9 years old (I am now 11). I always used to have a lesson every Saturday but that was just with friends and not at all serious. I was inspired after a friendly tennis tournament with the school. I love tennis because it is fun and I am good at it. I am competitive and the game is great for that and it is outdoors all year round. Tennis is a hard game because you get physically tired, especially in the summer and it is hard when you lose a match. There are lots of basics to learn before you start too.
i love it