MOBILE, Ala. — Adults who have always wanted to learn tennis, or who are looking to get back on the court, will have a new opportunity this fall as Ready Set Tennis begins Monday, Oct. 5, at the Mobile Tennis Center.
Mobile Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis announced the program, which is offered by the Mobile Parks and Recreation Department and the Mobile Tennis Center. The series of sessions is designed to give adults a chance to learn the basics of the game, build their skills and gain experience through match play.
Registration costs $30 and includes four hours of time with an instructor, a racquet and a shirt.
Ready Set Tennis Schedule
The program meets for one hour per session, from 6 to 7 p.m., on four Monday evenings at the Mobile Tennis Center:
- Monday, Oct. 5
- Monday, Oct. 19
- Monday, Oct. 26
- Monday, Nov. 2
Participants should note that the schedule does not include Oct. 12, so there is a two-week gap between the first and second sessions.
The evening time slot is designed to fit around a typical workday, and the one-hour format keeps each session manageable for adults who may be new to regular exercise or returning to sports after time away.
What Participants Get for $30
The $30 registration fee covers:
- Four hours of instruction across the four sessions
- A tennis racquet
- A shirt
Because a racquet is included, newcomers don’t need to buy equipment before giving the sport a try. That can lower one of the common barriers for adults curious about tennis but unsure whether they will stick with it.
Learning the Basics, Building Skills and Match Play
According to the city, Ready Set Tennis is built around three goals: teaching the basics of the game, building skills and giving participants more experience through match play.
For true beginners, the fundamentals of tennis usually start with how to hold the racquet and how to move on the court. From there, players typically learn the core strokes:
- Forehand: The stroke hit on the same side of the body as the hand holding the racquet, and for most players the most natural shot
- Backhand: The stroke hit on the opposite side of the body, played with one or two hands
- Serve: The overhead shot that starts every point
- Volley: A shot struck before the ball bounces, usually near the net
Match play brings those skills together. Playing points and games helps new players learn positioning, strategy and court etiquette in a way that drills alone cannot.
A quick guide to tennis scoring
Tennis scoring can be one of the most confusing parts of the game for newcomers. In a standard game, points are counted as “love” (zero), 15, 30 and 40. A player who wins a point at 40 wins the game, unless both players reach 40, which is called “deuce.” From deuce, a player must win two points in a row to take the game. Games add up to sets, with a set usually won by the first player to win six games by a margin of at least two.
Instruction sessions like those in Ready Set Tennis give beginners a chance to learn these rules on the court, with an instructor available to answer questions.
Why Adults Take Up Tennis
Tennis is often described as a lifetime sport because people can play it at nearly any age and adjust their level of intensity as they go. It can be played as singles, with one player on each side of the net, or doubles, with two players per side, which many recreational players enjoy for its social nature and shorter sprints.
The game offers a combination of aerobic exercise, footwork, balance and hand-eye coordination. It also has a strong social component, since every match requires at least one other person. For adults looking for a new hobby, a structured beginner program can be a low-pressure way to meet other players at a similar skill level.
Tips for First-Time Players
Adults signing up for their first tennis program may find a few general tips helpful:
- Wear court-appropriate shoes. Athletic shoes with good lateral support are better suited to the side-to-side movement of tennis than running shoes.
- Bring water. Even in the fall, Mobile evenings can be warm and humid.
- Arrive a few minutes early. Light stretching and a short warm-up can help loosen up before play.
- Focus on fundamentals. Consistency and good technique matter more than power for new players.
- Ask questions. With an instructor on hand, beginner sessions are the ideal place to learn.
About the Program’s Partners
The Mobile Parks and Recreation Department oversees the city’s parks, community centers and recreation programs, offering activities for residents of all ages throughout the year. The Mobile Tennis Center is the city’s public tennis facility, and it serves as the home base for Ready Set Tennis.
Programs like Ready Set Tennis are part of the broader role city recreation departments play in giving residents affordable ways to stay active and try new activities close to home.
Ready Set Tennis at a Glance
- What: Ready Set Tennis, an adult program covering the basics, skill-building and match play
- Who: Adults
- When: 6-7 p.m. on Mondays, Oct. 5, Oct. 19, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2
- Where: Mobile Tennis Center
- Cost: $30 registration fee
- Includes: Four hours with an instructor, a racquet and a shirt
- Offered by: Mobile Parks and Recreation Department and the Mobile Tennis Center
How to Sign Up
Adults interested in Ready Set Tennis should contact the Mobile Tennis Center or the Mobile Parks and Recreation Department for registration information. With the first session set for Monday, Oct. 5, those hoping to join should register as soon as possible.
For Mobile residents who have watched tennis on television, played a bit years ago or simply want a new way to stay active this fall, the four-week program offers an affordable starting point, with the racquet included and an instructor ready to help players take their first swings.
