Looking for a new sport? Tennis is a thrilling full-body workout that’s more accessible than you think, even if you’ve never picked up a racket in your life

My tita, who introduced me to the sport, always told me that tennis was a fantastic full-body workout. She wasn’t wrong—it’s not just about building arm strength through powerful swings; the constant sprinting and quick movements provide an exhilarating, exciting cardio session. And don’t get me started on the ultra satisfying pop sound your racket makes when it hits a ball. The game is pure magic.

Recently, tennis has been gaining traction due to the 2024 Zendaya-starring film “Challengers.” I personally enjoyed it back when I was a teenager, taking beginner classes in high school and college. I never pursued it any further after my schooling days since I didn’t exactly have the budget at the time nor the right resources to find accessible courts and coaches.

As an admittedly unfit 31-year-old now, I was determined to dust off my racket and rediscover tennis from the ground up. And you can, too. These are the tips I followed as a newbie player to properly get back into the sport, with a goal to become better at it than I ever was before.

Find an accessible court and a coach suited to you

I used to think tennis was only for rich people who lived in villages with courts or had memberships at private sports clubs. But it’s actually more accessible than I thought and all you need to do is to talk to the right people—specifically, tennis coaches with access to courts.

While there are many public tennis courts in Manila such as the Philippine Marines Tennis Court or the Elorde Tennis Center, the easiest thing to do (especially as a beginner) is to look for a coach near your location and take lessons. Coaches will likely already have courts they have connections with, whether it’s a sports club or another private location that’s in your city.

Finding the right coach is a personal decision, so choose someone you feel comfortable learning and growing with on your tennis journey

Use the power of social media to your advantage—it’s pretty easy to scout for one online. Pro-tip: Join Facebook groups such as Manila Tennis Enthusiasts or Tennis MetroKada and ask for suggestions. Tennis coaches and fellow players will be more than happy to answer your questions there, plus the community is generally friendly.

Once you’ve compiled a list of potential instructors, try scheduling trial lessons with them. This will allow you to experience each one’s teaching style, personality, and communication firsthand. Finding the right coach is a personal decision, so choose someone you feel comfortable learning and growing with on your tennis journey.

Invest in the right gear

If you’ve decided on playing tennis regularly, it’s important to invest in proper gear, namely tennis shoes (number one priority) and a racket (number two priority, once you’ve improved). I initially thought I was fine playing in my running shoes, but after I bought proper tennis shoes, I realized just how helpful they were when it came to making the necessary quick steps, sudden stops, and pivots needed for the sport. They’re actually designed to improve your game and reduce the risk of sprains and other injuries. Big name brands like Nike, Adidas, and Asics have tennis shoes available in-store for you to try on.

For your racket, you don’t need a fancy one to start with—you can even just rent rackets from your coach if they have some extras or borrow from friends. Budget-friendly rackets can also be found in Decathlon, with some as affordable as P800. Generally, newbies benefit from larger head sizes for a larger sweet spot and easier hitting.

Make sure to also take note of your grip size that fits your dominant hand well. This is vital for avoiding wrist issues in the future.

Get a tennis buddy

Tennis is more fun with friends and family. Start your tennis journey with someone you can play with—better if it’s another beginner whom you can grow your skill set with. For me, that was my boyfriend, who’s never touched a tennis racket in his life. Picking up this sport was another way for me to bond with him and to make it even more fun than usual. You get to talk to somebody on the same level and encourage each other to improve.

Picking up this sport was another way for me to bond with my boyfriend and to make it even more fun than usual. You get to talk to somebody on the same level and encourage each other to improve

If you don’t have anyone to accompany you during your sessions, you can once again use Facebook groups to your advantage and find tennis buddies to rally with. There are many local communities that can help you connect with other players, get advice, and find out about upcoming events and tournaments.

Also, as soon as you start training with a coach, you’ll most likely be meeting fellow students whom you can befriend. What my boyfriend and I found cool was meeting friends in our neighborhood through our tennis lessons, from doctors to grocery store employees. It’s been a blast so far.

Watch instructional videos and tennis matches online

We live in an age where there’s an endless amount of content to digest on the internet, and that includes tennis content. If you’re having a hard time grasping your tennis lessons, try watching tutorial videos online and train at home if you have ample space. There are cool ones out there done by tennis champs themselves, such as this basic serving tutorial from Venus Williams.

If the rules of a tennis game sound too confusing, there are a plethora of videos out there that make it easier to understand. Make YouTube and TikTok your best friends. To become better at tennis, you need to perfect your knowledge and skills when you’re not training on the courts too.

Set your tennis goals and have fun

Once you start your tennis sessions, it’ll be helpful to define your goals. Are you aspiring to compete, seeking a fun activity with friends, or simply aiming for a unique form of exercise? Establishing your objectives early on will guide your training and tailor your experience. Note that your goals can change the better you get, and that’s totally fine as well, because the most important part of any sport is to just have fun.

Admittedly, tennis is tough and takes a lot of time and practice to perfect. It could take you months or even years to get good. I’ve played tennis as a teenager and I’m still bad at serving a ball to this day. But that’s okay! Just be patient with yourself, celebrate your progress, and focus on having a damn great time on the court while at it.