Just started getting interested in tennis after seeing your friends constantly posting from the court? Or maybe you already have a racket, but every time someone asks you to play, you’re still not quite surewhere to stand or how to hit the ball? 

Don’t worry, almost everyone who is new to tennis has been through this phase. From the outside, tennis may look simple: just hit the ball over the net and keep it inside the court. But once you actually pick upa racket, you’ll quickly realize there are plenty of small things to learn. 

From how to hold the racket and position your body to basic strokes and scoring rules, all of these play a part in how the game works. 

So, if you’re looking for a guide on how to play tennis for beginners, there’s no need to jump straight into complicated techniques. Start with the basics first. Let’s go through them one by one! 

What Is Tennis? 

Tennis is a racket sport played by hitting a ball over a net into your opponent’s side of the court. 

It can be played one-on-one, known as singles, or two-on-two, which is called doubles. 

The basic goal is to hit the ball into your opponent’s court and make it difficult for them to return it properly. The ball is allowed to bounce once before being returned, although players can also hit a volley, which means striking the ball before it touches the ground. 

Sounds simple, right? But if you want your rally to last more than one or two shots, there are a few fundamentals you’ll need to get comfortable with. 

How to Play Tennis for Beginners 

If you’re just starting out, there’s no need to rush into hitting the ball as hard as professional players do. Control and consistency are much more important in the beginning. 

Here are some basic things you can start learning.

1. Learn How to Hold the Racket

The first thing to get used to is your grip, or how you hold the racket. 

There are several types of grips in tennis, and each can be used for different shots. For beginners, though, the most important thing is to hold the racket comfortably without squeezing it too tightly. 

If your grip is too tight, your hand can tense up quickly and limit the movement of the racket. On the other hand, if your grip is too loose, controlling the ball can become more difficult. 

When you’re starting out, focus on finding a comfortable grip that allows you to make basic strokes naturally.

2. Get Used to the Ready Position

Don’t wait for the ball while standing completely upright with your racket hanging by your side. 

In tennis, there’s something called the ready position, which prepares your body to move in any direction. 

Bend your knees slightly, keep your feet roughly shoulder-width apart, and hold the racket in front of your body. 

It may seem simple, but this habit helps you react faster when the ball comes to your right, left, or even straight toward you.

3. Learn the Forehand and Backhand

Two basic strokes you’ll use again and again during rallies are the forehand and backhand. 

A forehand is usually hit from the side of your dominant hand. If you’re right-handed, for example, you’ll typically use a forehand when the ball comes to the right side of your body. 

A backhand is used when the ball comes to the opposite side. 

Beginners often focus too much on hitting the ball as hard as possible. In reality, it’s better to learn how to consistently keep the ball inside the court first. 

If you can hit ten controlled shots in a row, that’s a much stronger foundation than hitting one powerful shot that immediately flies out.

4. Don’t Forget Your Footwork

Tennis isn’t only about what your hands are doing. 

Your feet play a huge role because you constantly need to adjust your position depending on where the ball is going. 

Instead of standing still and waiting, get used to taking small steps so you can find the best position before hitting the ball. 

Try not to stand too close to or too far away from the ball. When the distance is right, your racket swing will usually feel much more comfortable too. 

So, if your legs feel more tired than your arms after a tennis session, that’s completely normal.

5. Start Learning How to Serve

Every point in tennis begins with a serve. 

The player serves from behind the baseline and sends the ball diagonally into the opponent’s service box. 

Serving can be quite challenging for beginners. You need to combine the ball toss, body positioning, and timing of your swing in one movement. 

There’s no need to go for a powerful serve right away. At first, the most important thing is simply being able to get the ball into the service box consistently. 

After all, there’s no point hitting hard if the ball keeps ending up in the net, right?

6. Understand Tennis Scoring

Tennis scoring can feel a little unusual compared to many other sports. 

The points in a game go: 

0 → 15 → 30 → 40 → game 

If both players or teams reach 40, the score is called deuce. 

From there, a player or team needs to gain an advantage before winning the game. Match formats can vary depending on the tournament or agreement between players, so it’s always a good idea to check theformat before starting a match. 

Once you get used to it, tennis scoring really isn’t as complicated as it first seems. 

Singles or Doubles, Which Is Better for Beginners? 

There’s no right or wrong answer because both offer a different kind of fun. 

In singles, you’re responsible for covering the entire playing area yourself. That means you’ll move more and learn how to manage your own strategy. 

Doubles has a different dynamic because you’re sharing the court with a partner. 

For some beginners, doubles can feel more enjoyable because you have someone to share the court with and communicate with throughout the match. 

But that’s also where the challenge comes in. 

You and your partner need to know who should take certain balls, when to move toward the net, and how to position yourselves without leaving too much open space for your opponents. 

So don’t be surprised if two individually strong players don’t immediately make a great doubles team. Good chemistry still takes practice. 

When Can Beginners Start Joining Tennis Tournaments? 

Do you need to be really good before entering a tournament? Not necessarily. 

If you already understand the basic techniques, can maintain a rally, know the basic rules, and feel comfortable playing against other people, there’s nothing wrong with looking for a tournament that matchesyour level. 

Many competitions now divide participants into levels ranging from beginner to intermediate, which gives you the chance to play against opponents with relatively similar abilities. 

Tournaments can also be a great way to see how much your game has improved. 

During practice, you may be used to playing against the same friends and the same types of shots. In a tournament, you’ll face opponents with different serves, spins, tempos, and playing habits. 

That’s exactly what makes it exciting. 

Feeling More Confident? Experience FiberCreme Tennis Cup 2026 

Once you’ve started mastering the basics of how to play tennis and feel more comfortable playing doubles, the next step could be experiencing the atmosphere of a real tournament. 

One event worth putting on your radar is FiberCreme Tennis Cup 2026, which will take place on September 19–20, 2026, at Ancol Tennis Warehouse (ATW), Jakarta. 

The tournament will feature several Women’s Doubles categories across different playing levels. The Women’s Doubles Team category includes Upper Beginner, Low Intermediate, and Intermediate, while theWomen’s Doubles Individual category is available for Low Beginner players. 

That means there’s also room for players who are still building their tournament experience. 

FiberCreme Tennis Cup 2026 isn’t only about chasing points on the court. As part of FiberCreme’s 9th anniversary celebration, the event carries the spirit of PLAY. FUEL. FEEL GOOD., bringing together sports, food, community, and health awareness in one experience. 

Read more: Looking for a Tennis Tournament in Jakarta in September 2026? Get to Know FiberCreme Tennis Cup 2026

Ready to Take Your Practice to the Court? 

Learning tennis doesn’t happen in just one or two sessions. Your forehand may still go out sometimes, your serve might occasionally hit the net, and miscommunication with your doubles partner can stillhappen. 

That’s okay. In fact, gradually improving your game is part of what makes tennis so hard to stop playing. 

If you’re starting to feel comfortable with the basics and are ready for your next challenge, grab your partner and sign up for FiberCreme Tennis Cup 2026! 

For more information and registration, contact: 

Dorthy: 0877-8433-9701
Albert: 0816-1110-656 

Don’t forget to follow @fibercreme, @ancoltenniswrhouse, and @infinitetournament on Instagram for the latest event updates. 

Now all that’s left is to get your racket ready, find a partner you really click with, and keep practicing. Who knows? This September might be the perfect time to take everything you’ve learned into a real match. 

Let’s PLAY, FUEL, and FEEL GOOD at FiberCreme Tennis Cup 2026!