Tennis as a Hobby

Tennis can be a fun and relaxing hobby and at the same time a competitive and challenging sport. Starting out is as easy as finding a tennis court in your area, a partner to play with, and borrowing or buying a racquet. The rules and the feel of the game are easy to get a hang of and before you know it you may be even good enough to play in the French Open! . It is especially easy if you have played another racket game such as squash or paddle tennis.

Introduction

Tennis rules across the globe both as an exciting spectator sport and as a fun hobby. Tennis players run the gamut from highly paid professional athletes competing in major tournaments to amateurs dabbling with friends during the weekends. The able-bodied and people in wheelchairs can compete on the world’s tennis courts.

The popularity of tennis is likely enhanced by its flexibility as a sport. Tennis can be played at any time of year, indoors or outdoors, and by athletes of any age.

Whether they are pro athletes or amateur hobbyists, children or adults, the intent of tennis players is to hit a bouncing, felt-covered ball across a net into their rival’s court. Tennis matches are generally played as singles, which consists of two opponents; or played as doubles, which consists of two opposing teams with two players each. Tennis is once again an Olympic sport following a 60-year absence from the Games.

Equipment

A tennis player’s equipment needs are simple, consisting only of a racquet, tennis balls and comfortable shoes and clothes.

A beginning tennis player should study his or her options before buying that first tennis racquet. Racquets come in a wide variety of materials, and with different traits that influence power, control, shock absorption and maneuverability. For example, the power of a tennis racquet is determined mainly by the head size, frame flexibility and string tension.

Tennis racquets are generally classified as beginner, advanced or intermediate. A player should choose a racquet with a hitting area of 95 to 105 square inches if his or her athletic skills are better than average. A player should select a racquet with a hitting area up to 115 square inches if his or her athletic skills are less than average.Beginning tennis players should do their homework and learn what gauge of tennis strings, what type of strings and what string tension is best suited for their playing style, comfort and safety.

A tennis player’s shoes need to be comfortable and safe. Experts recommend wearing shoes that are specifically designed for playing tennis. Players have the option of choosing from a wide variety of specialized tennis shoes ranging from the inexpensive to costly, designer models.

Tennis experts warn that injuries can occur if running shoes are worn for tennis. This is because running shoes have a sole that is too unstable for the sideways moves that a player often makes on the tennis court.

A beginner should know what he or she wants in a tennis shoe. The varieties of upper materials offer different benefits. Canvas uppers stay cool and breathe well. Vinyl uppers offer firm support and rebuff external wetness, but vinyl uppers don’t breathe well and tend to get hot. Leather uppers give strong support and stay dry.

Tennis clothing should be comfortable. A tremendous variety of clothing is available for sale to the more fashion-conscious players. This gear, consisting of shirts, slacks, skirts, and dresses, can be relatively inexpensive or pricey depending on the brands. Each player must consider comfort, style and usefulness when choosing and buying his or her tennis outfits.

Other miscellaneous gear sometimes used by tennis players includes sunscreen, sunglasses, racquet covers, vibration dampers amid the racquet strings, sports bags to hold their equipment, and absorbent materials for the racquet handles.

Not all tennis balls are the same. Tennis balls are manufactured in different speeds and types of felt. Pressureless balls are considered the most durable.