Tennis Etiquette: For beginner tennis players to blend in nicely
Silence please!
Tennis Etiquette: On & off court
As a beginner tennis player you’re coming into a great game and knowing the in’s & outs of basic tennis etiquette will help you navigate newcomers waters. While no one expects anything from you as far as match play and learning how to play the game. Players will most certainly expect you to know basic tennis etiquette. Not everyone will follow along but it sure would help. Basic common decency is still at large around the courts. I MOST CERTAINLY appreciate & follow these simple rules to ease player personalities, practice sessions and water cooler talk. You and I both know it’s just easier to play nice. (I mean, for a couple hrs. you can pull anything off, no?)
Tennis etiquette is a term commonly used in the tennis world for both spectators and tennis players. well mannered, low decibel noise level, Minimal drama and sportsmanship at all levels of the game will enjoy the sport more and encourage new players to a high standard game as a whole.
True story. You’re judged by your etiquette on & off court at any level, especially spectators. Once you know the ins & outs around the courts it comes down to basic manners when a points in play or (as in life) your dealing with other humans in bulk. Tennis can bring the drama, no question about it. Some people make a sport out of complaining, or worse, cheating.
Pro tip: 💫
Adult tennis camps by level & travel destination for Summer 2023 look here.
Play nice
Tennis Etiquette tips: It’s got nothing to do with wearing white
26 Beginner Tennis Tips to Help You Courtside
Which way will it go?
When you’re looking to make friends on court, don’t celebrate an opponents mistakes. For instance, if someone double faults. Maybe you’re happy for the free point, but you didn’t really deserve it, right? If you ripped a forehand winner by them maybe a subtle fist pump is fine but … not the other way around.
You’re bound to see all kinds of balls in the game. The good, bad and lucky. But if your ball happens to hit the net and dribble over the other side, winning you the point, by a stroke of luck! Again. Not the right moment for an irrational outburst of; “COMMMOONNNN!!!” Throw up a friendly hand to acknowledge the luck shot it really was!
When a player calls a ball out that you know was in. Giv’em the benefit of the doubt. It’s their call on their side, not yours. If it becomes a pattern and it’s clear someone’s cheating - question the call openly, subtly. Then pull out someone neutral to (like your coach) to call lines for you both. Not all beginners always remember that ANY part of a line is good.
Group drills need a flow for them to work for everyone. Try to pay attention when the drill itself is being explained. If you’re 3rd in line but were talking with “Brenda Lee” during the coaches instructions and don’t have a clue what’s going on in the drill -run to the back of the line FAST. This will give you time to visually see what’s expected for the drill and and keep everyone playing and moving.
Share in ball pick-up when it’s time. I know it’s a drag, but it’s how things on court operate. It often amazes me how the same people disappear every time it’s time to pick up balls.
When you’re sending a tennis ball to the other side of the court for someone … let them know it’s coming. A simple call out; “ball coming” works swimmingly. 😎
Show up on time for lessons and matches. And try to stay the entire time. Unless it’s a private lesson and you don’t mind paying the full hour timeslot. It disrupts group lessons to stop the flow of a lesson and get you warmed up. Or worse yet have a friendly doubles match that people allocate the time for but 1 person has to leave early. Yep, it sucks. Just try not to do it. Odd numbers if a coach can’t fill in are problematic.
If you’ve booked a court for an hour or 1.5 hr. and people are waiting for the court. Finish in an appropriate time where you’re cleaned up and off the court so they can start on time. Don’t wait till the hour strikes to play a last point, then pack up and exit 10 minutes past someone else’s hour.
You are never trying to win the warm-up or mini tennis. Make warm-ups cooperative. Do your best to get the ball to the other player so they can warm up too.
When warming up serves. It’s nice if you’re returning, to return the ball at a moderate pace - not blast a put-away.
A player makes the calls on his/her side of the net. Don’t call a ball that lands out on the other side for your opponent. It’s their call.
If you’re unsure if a ball landed in or out - call it in. The benefit of the doubt goes to them.
When you’re at a public or private tennis court speak quietly when courts are being used.
Clear the court of stray balls during point play. If your opponent hits a stray ball you didn’t clear away on your side. It’s their point. {Plus! Clear them to salvage tripping on a stray ball}
Come prepared & organized to play on time with rackets strung, balls, water, and a bathroom run prior to getting on court. Yep, you can go again of course, but if it can be avoided - then you have uninterrupted play. Players appreciate that.
At any time you’re playing a point and a ball from another court enters your court, call a LET as soon as you see it. Clear the ball by sending it kindly back to the court when they’re not in play and start your point over.
If a ball hits you from the your opponent's side of the court, it’s their point - go figure! Never did understand this one.
No part of you or your racket can touch the net during a point. Otherwise you lose the point.
When serving you get 2 serves. But if on your 1st serve it chips the net tape and lands in the correct box - a let is called and you have 2 more serves. If it happens on your 2nd serve, you get 1 more serve.
The ball bounces 1x in tennis - not 2!
If there’s a disagreement over a particular point, replay it.
After opening a fresh can of balls, properly and safely throw away the lid in recycle if possible. If not, put it in the trash.
Server ALWAYS announces the score before serving.
Try not to talk in singles or doubles when the ball is traveling to your opponents side of the court. It’s considered a hindrance.
Grunting is a human exhaling on contact with the ball. Try & temper the super obnoxious octaves if possible.
If you happen to catch a ball in play before it bounces, you lose the point regardless where the player is standing.
And the List goes on!! But that’s enough to get you started for now. Believe me there’s more to come.
As Barbara Streisand sings; “we’ve only just begun”.
With love from Mallorca~