Let's start by answering some of the most common questions that we get asked by children who attend our Tennis Trail events.

Is tennis good for you?
Absolutely - tennis is a gentle way of exercising for beginners, and for more advanced players is a very thorough workout. Physical activity increases energy and also helps you to stay healthy, fending off germs and infections. Playing one set of tennis would give you thirty minutes moderate physical activity, not to mention plenty of fresh air!

How old do I have to be to start?
Obviously you have to be able to hold a tennis racket, but there are plenty of opportunities for youngsters. Mini Tennis is an excellent game for starting off young players under eight. Played with a scaled down racket, foam balls and a small court the game is a fun introduction to the full game.

Where can I play?
The Lawn Tennis Association has more than 2,400 affiliated clubs and organisations and local authorities have courts or pay and play facilities - so there's no shortage of venues. To help you find your nearest court the LTA provide information on affiliated tennis clubs in your area. They also provide a database of County Development Officers. To access this, click here.

Another excellent start point is the LTA Play Tennis Programme. This is the largest tennis promotion across England, Scotland and Wales, providing free coaching, prizes, a chance to meet tennis-playing celebrities, and tennis for free. To visit Play Tennis, click on the logo below:

Don't forget, you can also pay a visit to the ATP SMASH Tennis events that are taking place as part of their UK roadshow. For more details about this exciting way to experience tennis, see ATP Tour Smash Tennis.

How can I learn?
Your best way to learn tennis is to find a coach who can teach you the game. Most clubs have LTA qualified instructors offering lessons on a group or individual basis. A tennis coach will help you develop the right techniques, avoiding the bad habits. A coach can also help you find suitable people to play against. Most clubs have LTA qualified coaches. The LTA website has a comprehensive list

How much will it cost?
Prices for coaching vary from club to club, but we always recommend keeping your lessons to half an hour or an hour, and to have group coaching.

Will I have to buy equipment too?
It's always better to buy your own racquet so that you pick one which suits your style of play. You needn't spend too much initially and you can probably get your first tennis racquet for as little as £35 - £40

How can I develop my game?
One way is to go for an intensive week of tennis, or a break where you can play tennis at your leisure, there are tennis holiday companies offering holidays both in Great Britain and abroad. You can see a list of these in Clubs and Camps

'But how do you learn? The way a tennis player learns to play tennis. By making a fool of yourself, by falling on your face, by rushing the net and missing the ball, and finally by practice.'
May Sarton