Getting Started

All you need to play tennis is a racket, balls and tennis shoes (non marking).  If you do not have a partner you are welcome to drop by our courts anytime.  If you are new to the game you can talk to our staff about Lessons or Clinic Programs. If you have playing experience at any level it is recommended to drop in to one of our Free Drop In times on  Tues or Thurs at 10 am or Sunday at Noon to have a chance to not only meet but play with some of our friendly members.

Once you join our Tennis Centre staff will do their best to match you with a compatible playing partners.  We can also arrange practice time on the backboard or serving practice with a basket of balls.

Rackets are available for you to use if you are new to the sport and would like to try the game.  If you find tennis to be your sport of choice, we have a well supplied Pro Shop to meet your equipment needs.  Demo products are available and prices are MORE than competitive.  Qualified staff will assist you in your choice of equipment.

Instruction is available in a number of formats.  Private or group lessons can be arranged with one of our Pros or you may sign up for one of the many clinics or group instructional sessions we offer throughout the season.  For Juniors, we run a number of programs both at our facility in Chapples Park or on many of the public tennis courts situated throughout the City.

New tennis players are welcomed with open arms and our goal is to make the atmosphere as friendly as possible.  Come check us out and you may find a sport you can enjoy for a lifetime!

Why Play Tennis

Tennis is known as the sport of a lifetime because anyone can play it despite their age and ability level. Tennis is a fun way to get exercise, socialize and exercise your brain as well as your body.

Studies show:

• People who participate in tennis three hours per week at a moderately vigorous intensity cut in half their risk of death from any cause, according to the late Dr. Ralph Paffenbarger, who was an internationally recognized exercise authority and studied more than 10,000 people for 20 years.
• Tennis players scored higher in vigor, optimism and self-esteem while scoring lower in depression, anger, confusion, anxiety and tension than other athletes and nonathletes, according to Dr. Joan Finn and colleagues at Southern Connecticut State University.
• Since tennis requires alertness and tactical thinking, it may generate new connections between nerves in the brain and promote a lifetime of continuing development of the brain, reported scientists at the University of Illinois.
• Tennis outperforms golf and most other sports in developing positive personality characteristics, according to Dr. Jim Gavin, author of “The Exercise Habit.”
• Competitive tennis burns more calories than aerobics or cycling, according to studies in caloric expenditures.

Serving:

Each player takes turns serving the ball and service switches from one player to another after each game. A player is required to stand behind the baseline when serving the ball. A serve begins when a player tosses the ball into the air and hits it diagonally across the net to the other player.

Faults:

If the ball does not cross the net or land inside the boundaries of the service box on a serve, this is what is called a fault. Two consecutive faults mean a lost point for the server. A fault can also result if a player crosses the baseline while serving the ball.

Winning the match:

A tennis match is divided into games and sets. In both men’s and women’s tennis, a player wins a set after winning six games. A player is required to win by two games, though, and a one game-margin will force a tiebreaker that must be decided by a two-game margin. Men’s matches play to decide best three out of five sets, while women’s matches decide best two out of three.

Gear

Rackets

Rackets range in price from under $50.00 to well over $300.00.  There are many brands of rackets to choose from with each manufacturer producing rackets of varying quality levels.  Beginners should choose a racket that feels comfortable in their hand and at a price range they are comfortable with.  Most tennis players will own a number of different rackets over the course of their playing career.  Because of their affordability, making racket changes as one’s ability level improves is an easy transition.

Balls

There are several brands of tennis balls, but to the beginner, they are essentially all the same.  Prices range from $3.00 to $6.00 per tin of three balls and can be purchased at most department or sporting goods stores as well as at the Tennis Centre.  Tennis balls are sold in pressurized cans.  Once opened, they lose their bounce over time.  Recently, tennis ball manufacturers have begun making balls the are not “regulation” but have bounce characteristics that make playing the sport more enjoyable.  Come see our Staff if you are a beginner and we can help you choose balls best suited to your ability level.

Shoes

Non marking soles on tennis shoes are a requirement at the Tennis Centre and at the vast majority of other tennis facilities.  The side to side movement and the abrupt stops and starts of tennis movement can be a problem if the soles of a player’s shoes leave “skid marks” on the court.  Appropriate tennis shoes can be found at most sporting goods shops, and our Pro Shop can custom order a wide range of tennis shoes.

Contact us for more information at 807-577-1514 or email contact@thunderbaytennis.com