Your game is only as good as your second serve.
~ John Newcombe ~
Born in Sydney, NSW, John Newcombe dominated the professional tennis courts, both in Australia and overseas, during the 1960s and 1970s. His skills on the court, along with his easygoing and fun loving nature, made him a firm favourite throughout Australia and an inspiration for many children in Sydney. Certainly, even today, John Newcombe serves as a role model to both up-and-coming and professional tennis players alike.
Known for its harbour and beaches, Sydney is the most populated city in Australia and has a year-round calendar of sports events for players and fans alike, including cricket, AFL, rugby and tennis.
In the central Sydney district alone, there are over 500 tennis courts and more than 80 registered coaches. Compared to the figures from the whole of NSW — 2,800 courts and 400 coaches — that's a sizable chunk. So, if you live in Sydney, or in the outer suburbs, and would like to get some tennis coaching, you're certainly in the right place.
Seven Tips For When You're Ready to Learn to Play Tennis
Whether you're a beginner, have been playing the game casually for a few years or have a little experience through lessons at school, these tips will help you get off to a good start and build your skills when you're ready to progress beyond 'just having a hit'.
Start with a good racquet
You don't need to buy a top-of-the-range tennis racquet but a good quality racquet in the mid-price range will be a sound investment when you're ready to start your training or coaching sessions. Make sure you get advice from your coach or club on the right racquet for your body and grip size too.
Learn the correct grip
Getting the basics right at the start is important. It is much easier to learn how to hold your racquet correctly from the outset than to try and unlearn bad habits.
Focus on your stance
Watch the professional players. It doesn't matter if they're about to serve, waiting for a serve, have just returned the ball or are waiting for the other player to return the ball — they're always ready, focused, on the balls of their feet. Stance is everything.
Warm up and cool down
Tennis players play with their whole body and play hard. Injuries will occur if you don't warm up before you start the game or your coaching session. The last thing you want when you've committed to a series of lessons is to get an injury at the start.
Practice regularly
A tennis lesson once a week is great and you will improve. However, if you really want to progress your skills and increase your level, you're going to need to practice several times during the week in between lessons. Make it fun and enjoyable by varying what you do and where you play. Grab some friends or other players from your club or team and play some social tennis.
Improve your fitness
Stamina and cardio fitness are a big part of the game of tennis. Playing several times a week with your team, your coach or socially at your tennis club will definitely help build your cardio fitness but if you're serious about becoming more competitive, you'll need to explore other avenues to further develop your all-round aerobic and cardio fitness.
Keep having fun
The minute your training or coaching sessions become a chore is the moment your skills will cease to keep improving. Adding variety to your practice sessions can help maintain the fun. If you need to change coaches, switch to another team or join another club or centre to keep tennis fun and enjoyable, do it. People who are having fun learn more effectively.
Where Can I Get Tennis Coaching in the Sydney Area?
As mentioned previously, there are well over 500 tennis courts and 80 coaches in the inner-city Sydney area alone, so Sydney-siders really are spoilt for choice when it comes to tennis coaching, social play or joining a competitive club.
Players at any level, from complete beginners to intermediate and beyond, can join a club — there are plenty in and around Sydney (Marrickville, Marsfield, Hunters Hill, Chatswood ...). Depending on the club or tennis centre, member players can access group or private coaching, as well as social tennis, fitness sessions, social events and competitions. The courts owned by the club are often also available outside of class or lesson time for members to book and play — great for getting in those practice sessions and building your cardio fitness.
If you're not ready to commit to a club but still want some coaching, Googling something like tennis lessons Sydney or tennis lessons near me will give you pages of options. Here are a few to get you started.
Inspire Tennis
Partnered with Tennis NSW and Tennis Australia, Inspire Tennis has multiple locations throughout Sydney. They offer private and group tennis lessons for kids, adult coaching for beginners, intermediate and advanced players, holiday programs for kids and school programs.
Centennial Parklands Sports Centre
This tennis centre offers adult and junior group programs for beginners and intermediate players, along with private lessons for every level. Adult members can participate in social tennis sessions as well as competitions.
Tennis World
Located at Sydney Olympic Park, Tennis World has a team of coaches who deliver adult group coaching, junior coaching, Hot Shots sessions for younger kids and private lessons for every level. They also offer adult social play, leagues, tournaments and cardio tennis. For kids, there is a Hot Shots Match Play competition for younger children and junior tournaments for older children.
Find effective tennis lessons Sydney when you search here on Superprof.
You will also find a Tennis World centre near you in Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Launceston.
What to look out for in a club or coach
With so many options, the choice can be overwhelming so it helps to know what you need and what to look out for when you're searching for a tennis coach or a club or centre to start your tennis lessons in Sydney.
First, ask yourself:
- do I want private coaching or group lessons?
- how much can I afford to pay?
- what times am I available?
- how far can I travel?
- how committed am I to practising?
With the above answers in mind, you can narrow down your club or coach search.
Then, before you make a final decision, check:
- qualifications — is your chosen coach qualified and registered with Tennis NSW, or does the club use qualified coaches?
- testimonials — what do other players have to say about the coach, club or tennis centre?
- limitations — are you expected to commit for a year; can you pay week by week; what are the cancellation rules?
Learning Tennis with a Superprof Tutor
Did you know that you can find a private tennis coach through Superprof?
The Superprof platform is your one-stop-shop for tutors in all subjects, whether academic or recreational — including tennis.
One-on-one tennis coaching really is the most effective way to learn and improve but sometimes the times available for private coaching at your club may not suit your schedule. The benefits of a Superprof tennis coach include:
- flexible schedule
- personalised lessons
- affordable lesson fees
- certified experience
- webcam or online lessons if the student is not nearby.
Yes, you read that last point correctly. Tennis can be taught virtually and the Superprof tutors are the masters at this.
Another advantage of using the Superprof platform to find a private tennis coach is that most of our tutors offer the first lesson or session for free. This means you can try out a few different tutors to see who resonates the most with you — and it gives the tutor the opportunity to show you how well online coaching can work.
So, if you can't find a coach in Sydney, you may well find your ideal coach in Brisbane or even across the other side of Australia in Perth.
Are you looking for a tennis coach gold coast? Superprof helps you get in touch with teachers all over Australia.
Whoever you learn with, get out there today and start playing. Tennis is one of the most popular sports in Australia so why not get off your couch, out of the house and be part of it?
Tennis is mostly mental. Of course, you must have a lot of physical skill but you can't play tennis well and not be a good thinker. You win or lose the match before you even go out there.
~ Venus Williams ~
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