Tennis, Anyone?

Tennis originated in the late 19th century in the UK and the rules of the game have changed very little since then. It began as a sport played by upper class English men, but has since gained massive popularity across the globe, both as a spectator sport and a recreational one. It is played in the Olympics, and many tournaments are held throughout the year.

There are four Grand Slam tournaments each year: the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. There are both singles and doubles matches, and both women and men compete. Winning tournaments, especially the Grand Slams, determines a player's ranking. The US Tennis Association has also created a point system that allows all players to rate their own skill level, from 1 to 7.5. Average club players under this system would rate 3.0-4.5, while world class players would be 7.0 on this scale.

There are many formal rules in the game of tennis, and it is worthwhile to learn them if you plan to play the game. It is always useful to know the rules if you want to engage in match play, either for fun or otherwise. I would suggest watching some professional tennis games to get acquainted with the sport and its rules. Many athletic and country clubs have tennis courts, so it should not be too difficult to find somewhere to play. Check local public schools as they usually allow free play on their courts when they're not in use.

Equipment can be quite costly, so you may want to purchase lower end equipment if you do not plan on

playing the sport for a long time, or if you are quite new to tennis in general and aren't sure how much you will enjoy it. If you have a friend who plays, you can try borrowing equipment while you test out the game to see if it's for you. After you've tried the game, it is wise to invest in a good racquet if you think that you want to continue to play tennis for some time (it will definitely make the game easier to learn if you have a decent racquet and one that is the right size for you). You don't have to spend major money on a pro racquet, but it is advisable to get a higher quality mid-range racquet for a beginner. One of the main differences comes in the material of the racquet; aluminum is at the low end, while graphite alloys are at the higher end.

I recently took a tennis course, and found that it improved my game exponentially (being that I was a true beginner in every sense of the word). Thus, I suggest taking some kind of course or training if you desire to quickly gain some tennis skills. I also found the game to be immensely fun and almost addicting, so it really doesn't feel like you are out there to exercise, but instead to compete! Match play is an insane workout (a match can last minutes or hours, depending on skill level), and a person weighing 120lbs. can burn 165 calories in only 30 minutes of playing singles tennis. You are always moving in tennis, so it is an excellent cardio workout. Remember to stay hydrated since you will likely sweat quite a bit, especially playing outdoors.

Tennis is a great game, and an even better workout. You just need a racquet, some balls, and a friend or even the wall to play. I'm always looking for a partner, and I would bet a lot of others are too. So, get out there and try it- and move over, Roger Federer!