How to Play Tennis: Rules, Technique & Getting Started

Tennis is one of those sports that looks effortless when pros play it and humbling when you first pick up a racquet. The basics are simple enough to learn in a weekend; the depth keeps you going for years. Whether you're a complete beginner or a parent signing up a child, getting started is genuinely easier than most people assume — especially with the number of structured coaching programmes now available across Delhi, Mumbai, and other metros.

Origins

The modern game took shape in England in the 1870s, when Major Walter Clopton Wingfield patented an outdoor version called "Sphairistikè." The ITF (International Tennis Federation) was founded in 1913 and standardised the rules that are still largely in use today. That's about as far back as you need to go — because what matters in 2026 is what the sport looks like now.

Rules and play

At its core, tennis is straightforward. Two players (singles) or four (doubles) hit a felt ball over a net using strung racquets. You win a point every time your opponent fails to return the ball into the court. Win enough points, and you win a game. Win enough games, and you win a set. Win two out of three sets (or three out of five in Grand Slams), and the match is yours.

Scoring — the one thing that confuses everyone

Tennis uses a non-linear scoring system: 15, 30, 40, then game. If both players reach 40, that's "deuce," and you need two consecutive points to win. It sounds odd, but you'll have it memorised after your first few matches.

Sets typically go to six games, with a tiebreak at 6-6. The third set in some formats uses a "match tiebreak" (first to 10 points) instead of a full set — common in recreational doubles.

Key rules to know from day one

• The ball must land within the designated court boundaries (different lines for singles and doubles)
• On serve, you get two attempts; a double fault gives the point to your opponent
• The ball can only bounce once before you must return it
• You can't touch the net during play

Technique basics

Your grip is the foundation. Most coaches start beginners with the Eastern forehand grip — it's forgiving and lets you generate decent topspin without too much wrist work. The Continental grip is used for serves and volleys. Don't overthink this early on; a coach will sort your grip in the first session.

For groundstrokes, the split-step is everything. That small hop you take as your opponent strikes the ball primes your body to move in any direction. Miss the split-step, and even the most technically sound swing won't save you from being caught flat-footed.

Serve mechanics take the longest to feel natural. The toss placement is usually the culprit when serves go wrong — too far to the left, too far behind, and the whole motion falls apart. Keep it patient. Most recreational players develop a functional serve within 8–12 weeks of consistent practice.

Major forms / types

Hard courts are the most common surface you'll encounter at public clubs and academies. Predictable bounce, medium pace, easy on the knees compared to concrete.

Clay courts slow the ball down and reward baseline rallying over power. Topspin matters much more here. You'll see clay courts at some premium clubs in cities like Pune and Bengaluru.

Grass courts are rare outside of elite venues. Wimbledon is grass; your local academy almost certainly isn't.

Padel deserves a mention here — it's a wall-enclosed racquet sport that borrows heavily from tennis and has picked up significant traction in Gurugram, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad since 2022. It uses a tennis-style scoring system, so players often cross over between the two.

Cardio tennis is a group fitness format where drills replace match play. Good for fitness, not a substitute for learning the actual game.

Where Tennis sits in 2026

A few things have shifted noticeably over the past few years. Coaching is more structured than it was a decade ago — most academies now use video analysis tools, even at the beginner level, so you're not just being told "bend your knees" but shown exactly where your footwork is breaking down.

Fees have also spread across a wider range. Group coaching batches at public sports complexes in cities like Delhi and Noida can run as low as ₹2,000–₹3,500 per month. Private coaching at a premium club can reach ₹8,000–₹15,000 monthly. The middle tier — semi-private sessions with 3–5 students — sits comfortably around ₹4,000–₹7,000 and is often the sweet spot for adult learners who want personalised attention without the cost of one-on-one sessions.

Participation among children aged 7–14 has grown noticeably in tier-1 metros, partly driven by the visibility of players like Sumit Nagal and Rohan Bopanna at international events. Weekend junior camps are now standard offerings at most club-level academies.

The sport's association with premium infrastructure (floodlit courts, ITF-grade surfaces, proper coaching ratios) still makes it slightly less accessible than, say, football or cricket. But purpose-built tennis facilities have expanded into newer residential zones in cities like Gurgaon, Noida, and Pune, reducing the "I don't know where to play" barrier significantly.

If you're in Mumbai, Tennis in Mumbai has a current list of courts and coaching options across zones. Delhi-based readers can check Tennis in Delhi for the same.

The Benefits of Tennis: Why It Helps and What to Expect piece is worth reading alongside this one if you're still deciding whether it's the right sport for you or your child.

How to begin

Start with group coaching — it's cheaper, more social, and frankly more forgiving when you're shanking balls into the net every few minutes. Look for batches capped at 6–8 students so you're actually getting court time, not just watching others hit.

You'll need a racquet (a beginner frame in the ₹1,500–₹3,500 range is perfectly fine to start), non-marking court shoes, and basic athletic clothing. Don't buy the expensive racquet yet — coaches have seen too many students commit to a heavy player's frame in week one and regret it.

Most academies offer a trial session or a short introductory package (4–8 sessions) before you commit to a full month. Use that window to assess the coach's communication style and the court conditions.

Here are a few academies worth checking out as you plan your first steps:

• Jtc Tennis Academy — South Delhi, Delhi. A dedicated tennis academy in South Delhi, offering structured coaching for juniors and adults.
• Tennace Academy — Bandra & Khar, Mumbai. A Bandra-based option for learners looking for coaching close to Mumbai's western suburbs.
• Exclusive Table Tennis Academy in Gurgaon — Gurugram Central, Gurugram. Focused on racquet sports coaching in central Gurugram, with structured programmes for beginners.
• Indian Table Tennis Academy — Noida Central, Noida. A well-established racquet sports academy in Noida catering to beginners through competitive-level players.

]()Find a court near you: Find Tennis classes near you — browse coaching programmes, compare batches, and book a trial session.

Frequently asked questions

What age is best to start learning tennis?

Most coaches are happy working with children from around age 6 upwards, using smaller racquets and lower-compression balls. That said, adults who start in their 20s, 30s, or even 40s pick up the basics quickly with consistent practice. There's no ideal window — starting earlier gives more time to develop feel, but adult learners tend to progress faster in terms of understanding tactics and positioning.

Do I need expensive equipment to begin?

Not at all. A mid-range beginner racquet (₹1,500–₹3,000) and a pair of proper court shoes are all you need for the first few months. The shoes matter more than most beginners expect — regular running shoes don't provide the lateral support your ankles need during rallies. Avoid buying a high-end racquet until you've had at least a month of coaching and understand what swing weight and string tension mean for your game.

How long does it take to play a proper match?

Most beginners can rally consistently and play simple points within 6–10 weeks of regular coaching (two to three sessions a week). Playing a full scored match comfortably — managing the scoring, serving with some reliability, moving well — typically takes 3–6 months. Everyone progresses differently depending on prior racquet sport experience and how much they practise between sessions.

Is tennis a good sport for fitness?

It works a surprising range of physical qualities simultaneously — short-burst speed, coordination, reaction time, upper body strength, and endurance over longer matches. The stop-start nature of play is quite demanding on the cardiovascular system even in recreational games. Most players notice improved footwork and hand-eye coordination relatively early, often within the first couple of months.

Can I play tennis if I have a tennis elbow injury?

This one really needs a physio's opinion rather than a general answer. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is common among players with poor backhand technique or the wrong grip size — not just from overuse. If you're currently dealing with it, most sports physicians recommend addressing the technique fault before returning to play. A coach can assess your swing mechanics, and a proper grip sizing check is often the first thing to fix.