It may seem to many of us that tennis is just an elite sport, which many play for a few weeks during a Grand Slam. When many of us are itching to go out and play after watching the Wimbledon final, US Open final, or other major events in the tennis calendar, we usually find that the public tennis courts are full. And then perhaps we don’t make another effort until the same time the following year.
But you don’t have to wait for the summer to enjoy the delights of tennis. Tennis nowadays is a more accessible and year-round sport than you might think: it’s sociable, exciting and, of course, great for your fitness. It’s believed that more than 75,000,000 people play the sport worldwide.
Where can I play tennis?
Come and visit us at Baywood Racquet Club; we can give you the perfect introduction to tennis. Play the game as singles (one player versus one player) or doubles (two players versus two players).
These days you don’t need to be overly concerned about the weather. If it is fine, then a good match outdoors can be just what you need, but sports clubs make it easy to play throughout the winter, whatever conditions are blown your way. We are fortunate that in Greenville, North Carolina we have a 365 day a year climate for tennis. It can get a little cold in the winter but you soon warm up.
The real barrier, perhaps, to starting tennis, is if you have no-one to play with, but at Baywood Racquet Club we open our doors to players of all skill levels. The staff at Baywood will be more than happy to match you with a partner or find you a game.
Baywood Racquet Club is laid-back and very sociable, with a mix of friendly competitiveness for those that choose to play club matches.
Mini Tennis is an excellent game for youngsters under the age of eight. It is played with a scaled down racquet, foam balls and a small court. The game is a fun introduction to the full game.
How good is tennis for fitness?
Playing tennis can have a number of positive health and fitness benefits on your body. Here are some of its key exercise advantages:
- Tennis improves aerobic fitness, with more oxygen circulated around the body to better muscular endurance.
- Tennis burns off calories with energy being supplied to the muscles and not forming fat.
- Tennis boosts flexibility and sprint speed due to the fast-paced nature of the game.
- Tennis improves hand-eye coordination with the concentration required for serving.
- Tennis develops the strength and power of muscles, notably leg and arm muscles.
- Tennis furthers concentration and mental strength, with matches often lasting for many hours.
- Tennis boosts a player’s cardiovascular fitness (the heart and lungs organs), allowing more oxygen to be pumped around the body and help energize muscles.
What equipment do I need for tennis?
As with any new sport, it’s important not to get drawn into spending too much money on tennis gear before you’ve decided to commit yourself to playing it. Although you don’t need too much equipment to enjoy this fit and active racket sport, the costs can add up if you go for all the top equipment. Buy sensibly at the start of your tennis playing career, and you can still enjoy the game without breaking the bank; then, if you really get into tennis, you can easily upgrade. Visit the Baywood Pro Shop to receive expert advice on what you need no matter your level of tennis. We will also be more than happy to loan you equipment to help you starting out.
The tennis racquet
The tennis racket is the most expensive item, with some costing up to ten times the price of your standard starter racquet. This can be a bit of a minefield if you are new to the game.
Don’t worry; for a beginner, the type of tennis racquet is not of major importance; you simply need a nicely balanced all-rounder with good stability that matches your size. You can ask a member of the Baywood staff for advice anytime and visit our on site pro shop which has a vast selection of racquets.
Lower price range tennis racquet
The principal manufacturers all offer good entry-level racquets, which are perfect when you’re first starting out. Our club Pro Shop stocks an extensive range of Wilson rackets such as the Burn, Clash, and Ultra are some of the names to look out for so if you stick with one of these, you won’t go wrong.
Higher priced tennis racquets
At the other end of the scale, racquets used by professionals, and amateurs who take the sport seriously, differ considerably and are made of any number of materials. These include copper, fiberglass, titanium, graphite, kevlar, and nickel, and you pay accordingly!
Tennis balls
The other essential when you’re starting out, of course, is a set of tennis balls and, again, you can spend far more on these than you need to. They can also differ in price considerably depending on the brand and whether or not they are pressurized. Some are faster than others, and there are different types for different surfaces. We can help you choose the right tennis ball for your game and level.
Clothing for tennis
There are some really fashionable shoes, shorts, skirts and tops available, but unless you always need to be dressed in the latest gear good sportswear will be appropriate. Tennis shoes are very different to running shoes so please ensure you have tennis specific footwear.
At the early stage, choose clothing that will have tennis performance benefits, especially your tennis shoes, and of course, complete the club look with a Baywood Racquet Club sweater, polo, or t-shirt!
If you would like any further information, contact us today!
office@baywoodracquetclub.com
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