Scoring, gear, etiquette, your first month on court — the complete starter manual for adults picking up a racket for the first time.
Welcome to the sport you can play for life. Tennis looks complicated from the outside — the scoring alone confuses everyone — but most beginners rally confidently within four to six weeks. This guide covers the essentials.
The scoring, decoded: points run 15, 30, 40, game. Win six games (two clear) to take a set; most social matches are best-of-three sets. Deuce means tied at 40-all — win two points in a row from there. You will absorb it naturally after two match evenings.
Gear and etiquette
You need court shoes with non-marking soles, comfortable sportswear and a racket — we lend rackets free to all beginners, so don't buy one until a coach advises on grip size and weight. On court: warm up your opponent before keeping score, call lines honestly, wait for a pause before crossing another court, and shake hands at the net. That is ninety percent of tennis etiquette.
Your first month should focus on three things: a reliable forehand, a consistent serve toss and split-step footwork. Our Adult Start course covers exactly this in eight progressive sessions, ending with your first supervised doubles night.
Ready to start? Join an Adult Start group at Netcrest — first session free, racket included.
