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Learn How to Play Tennis in Edmonton

Tennis is usually not the first sport that comes to mind when we think about sports in Canada: the cold, wintry north hardly seems a place for such a summer-oriented game. However, tennis fans know that Canada is the home for some of the most elite players in the ATP and WTA - Raonic, Shapovalov, Andreescu and Fernandez are just a few players that have made their mark in the professional tennis world in recent years. Fans flock to Montreal and Toronto to watch the country's sole professional tennis tournament every year. The popularity of tennis in Canada continues to grow, and aspiring players of all ages are getting into the game.

Why learn tennis? Unlike many other sports, tennis is unique in that is often focused on individuals or pairs, which creates a completely different dynamic from team sports. The game is challenging, requiring mental and physical stamina, and can be fast paced and exciting. If you are not terribly competitive and are simply looking for a new way to be active, you can easily meet up with a friend at a community court for a friendly volley. Kids will also love tennis as a way to make new friends, learn a new sport, and improve their motor skills and fitness.

Edmonton residents that to learn tennis are in one of the best places to get into the sport. The city is home to multiple tennis organizations and clubs, with indoor courts for those who want to play all year round. Edmonton also happens to be a beautiful city with an active, sporty culture thanks to its access to expansive green spaces and parks. Why not add tennis to your fitness repertoire?

How Do You Play Tennis?

Tennis can seem complex to learn at first but is generally easy to adapt as needed. Tennis matches have 3 phases - a game, a set and a match. Players win by taking the best of 3 sets, though in some cases it may be 5. To win a game, a player must score 4 points, 15, 30, 40 and a final point to win. If both players score 40, then a player must score 2 consecutive points to win the game. It takes at least 6 games to win a set. It may happen that both players or teams tie at 5 sets apiece. In this case, a player must win two consecutive games to take a lead of 7 sets to 5, or a tiebreak must be played.

The game starts with one player 'serving' the ball, or hitting the ball across the court in a specified zone. You can score a point in a variety of ways, but in most cases you will get a point when your opponent cannot return your serve or shot or hits the ball out of bounds. If you hit the ball out of bounds, you serve two faulty serves ('faults'), or you cannot return your opponent's serve or shot, your opponent will get the point.

When a player wins 2 out of 3 sets (or 3 out of 5, depending on the rules of the tournament), they win the match!

Sound complicated? Try watching a match or find a tennis tournament or grand slam on television. You will see that it is highly entertaining and engaging!

Why is it Illegal to Coach in Tennis?

If you have watched a tennis tournament or match, you may have heard of players being penalized for receiving coaching during play. There are multiple reasons why major tennis organizations have historically not agreed to permit coaching on court. Tennis is largely seen as an individual sport, with players expected to strategize and play on their own without the help of a coach. For many players, having a coach attend a match is not affordable with all the additional costs that come with touring. However, it is widely known that many coaches that do attend elite matches have developed their own communication signals to help players. This has caused multiple controversies during tournaments, even for star athletes like Serena Williams and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Recently, professional tennis organizations have experimented with allowing coaching during matches, though rule changes are still largely in development.

Getting Started in Tennis

Ready to start playing? Here are some tips for learning tennis on your own or with a coach.

What do Tennis Coaches Look For?

Tennis coaches may look for different attributes in their players depending on what their goals and status are in the tennis community. In general, tennis coaches will want their players to show a commitment to athleticism, improvement, and a willingness to be led and follow their advice. In many cases, coaches and players may not build the relationship they want and part ways. However, if you are just looking to learn the game or improve your tennis skills, you will surely find a coach willing to work with your needs in a group class or one-to-one sessions.

Can You Learn Tennis Online?

You can certainly learn the basics of tennis online through videos and instructions, though you will learn the most effectively with live instruction and a coach to model movement and lead you through athletic drills. Finding the right tennis coach is easy with Superprof Canada. On the Superprof site, you can easily browse the profiles of tennis coaches near you, and contact them directly to see if they can work with your needs and schedule. Private tennis instruction is an excellent choice if you have a hard time aligning classes with your schedule, prefer a personalized approach, or are already advanced and need a high level of support.

Find your private tennis instructor on Superprof today!