Tennis lessons: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What tennis lessons is

Tennis lessons teach the strokes, footwork and match habits that let you rally, serve and win points. Players book them when they are starting out, when they want to join a club league, or when they keep losing the same kinds of points in matches.

Signs you need it

  • Your forehand or backhand goes long or into the net more often than it lands in
  • Your serve does not go in often enough to play a match
  • You get pushed around the baseline and cannot get back to the middle in time
  • You want to join a league or doubles group and your match play is holding you back
  • You are back on the court after years away and need to rebuild your strokes

What the pro does

  • Watches you rally and serve to see your grip, stance and footwork before changing anything
  • Teaches one stroke or the serve at a time, using feeds, drills and court targets
  • Works on court position, recovery steps and when to move forward to the net
  • Runs point play or simple match scenarios so you practice the skills under pressure
  • Gives you a short list of drills to do with a partner or against a wall before the next lesson

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Private or semi-private lesson versus a group clinic
  • Length of each lesson and whether you book a series
  • Court location and whether court time is included or booked separately
  • Whether ball machine time, balls or rackets are provided
  • Your level, since rebuilding a serve takes more time than a basic rally
  • Whether the coach films your strokes and reviews the video with you

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of lessons and the length of each session
  • Court location and who pays for court time
  • Whether ball machine time or balls are included
  • Whether the coach records your strokes and sends video or notes
  • Make-up policy for rain or a missed lesson

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What do you look at first in my forehand or serve before you change anything?
  • Do you teach private lessons, group drills or both, and which would suit my goals?
  • Will you give me a drill I can run against a wall or with a partner between lessons?
  • Do you prepare players for club league play, and how?
  • How will we know the lessons are working, and what should I be able to do after a month?
  • Are you certified by a tennis coaching program, and which one?

Red flags

  • Gives the same stroke drill to every player without looking at yours first
  • Promises you will win matches or move up a rating after a few lessons
  • Wants you to buy a specific racket or string before you have had a lesson
  • Keeps you rallying the same way for an hour with no feedback on your stroke

What you can do yourself

You can practice ground strokes against a wall, shadow your serve motion with a racket at home, and drill footwork with cones if you have space. Short videos of your strokes help you spot problems. Hire a coach when a stroke keeps breaking down, when you are changing your grip or serve, or when you want someone to check your positioning in live rallies.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to coach tennis. Ask whether the coach holds a certification from a tennis coaching program and whether the club requires proof of liability insurance. Check with your state or local licensing agency if the club or facility has a rule you do not understand.

Tennis lessons questions

Can an adult beginner start with group lessons?

Yes. Group lessons suit adults who want to rally and learn the basics with others at the same level. Ask the coach to group players by level so you are not waiting on the court.

Do I need my own racket?

You can borrow a racket for a first lesson, but your own racket should fit your grip size and weight. Ask the coach to check your grip size before you buy.

How long until my serve improves?

Serve changes take regular practice, and the motion often feels awkward before it becomes consistent. A coach can give you a short serve drill to repeat between sessions.

If my child takes tennis lessons, has the coach passed a background check?

Many clubs and junior programs ask for one, and a coach should be able to show you proof before your child's first lesson.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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