is it too late to start tennis?

Question

so im 16 and went to wimbeldon last week, was so good, and ive allways been into tennis but is it too late for me to start playing properly like with lessons and stuff cause am i too old
and how often should i practice?

Answer 1

No, it's not too late to start but you must be willing to work SMART and HARD.

Some things that will help bring you up to speed are:

You must strive to be athletic, so playing another sport to help with your tennis is key. Basketball will help, shadowboxing or and hitting a punching bag. These things will not only help to develop your arm muscles and stamina but they will also hlep you improve your footwork which is a VERY important part of your tennis. You have to be able to get into position to hit the ball and you must have good footwork for power and touch. This includes bending at the knees and staying down all the through the stroke.

Another thing you must work on is power. You need power to dominate weaker players and to keep up with stronger players. You don't want to be blown off the court. Power comes from the feet, the upper-body rotation into the shot, the way you hold your racquet (extreme western is the new thing), a firm grip, racquet head speed, etc. Your coach will tell you more about this.

Also, you have to LOVE the game. You have to want to practice and improve or develop your shots. Think of it like an art. You have to learn it, study it, and get tips and advice. Be a student of the game until you can MASTER it. And don't think you know too much to listen.

You must be willing to experiment with different styles as well until you find a style that you're comfortable with AND a style that will let you use your best weapons most of the time. You could be a serve and volley player or baseliner or a power player or someone who likes to mix it up.

Get a hitting partner or hit on the board. And try to hit on the board from different distances. Even if you get close to board, practice hitting with power. This will help you on your return of serve, footwork, preparation, and quicker shoulder rotations.

Record and watch a lot of tennis matches. Pay close attention to their grips, strategy, form, techniques in hitting the ball, and even the errors that they make. Try to emulate the best.

Take a tennis instruction class or join the team. Or, find other people who like to play as much as you do. This way you have a variety of people to practice and play with. You have to have people to compete against and to be to able to test your strategies, power, serve, and techniques against.

Get some videos and DVDs about how to play the game. Not only will you see the right techniques but you will also be able to get some good tips and observe it being done the right way.

Shadow-stroke. Just like boxers shadowbox, you should also practice holding your racquet and practice your stroke techniques and footwork. You can do this in your room or outside or on the court. And it's really good if you have a mirror so that you can see your stance, preparation, and to make sure you're holding that racquet like the pros do. Get a tennis magazine and compare.

Get your mind right so that you will be fierce on the court. Don't worry about losing at first - you can be angry - but let that anger push you to be a winner. You want to smash your opponents. You want to be the BEST. But remember not to be arrogant. Keep learning even from the people you beat or lose to. Keep asking questions and pay attention.

Develop your strategy. Strategy will not only help you against mediocre players but it will also help you fight off power players, crafty players, and aggressive players who have superior weapons. You can do this by watching tapes and also by playing and asking questions of veterans of the game. Usually, nobody charges for tips or advice. Keep that in mind too.

Pick out several Top players and learn something from each of them. I recommend: Federer and Justine (for overall play and strategy), Venus, Maria, Bartoli (her return of serve and how early she takes the ball is excellent - the backboard will help you with this too), Henman (serve and volley technique along with Federer), Serena, Nadal, and Roddick (two handed backhands), etc. Look at all the pros but pick a few to emulate.

Play in some tournaments after you get to the 3.5 or 4.0 levels. And you do need to know the levels if you're just starting out. This will give you a way of measuring your game - your strengths and weaknesses.

Be sure to learn all of the strokes. Don't simply rely on being a baseliner or a serve and volley player. Depending on who you play, you will have to use various skills.

Work-out and continue to develop your athletic skills. Run, sprint, do push-ups, jump rope, stretch, deep knee bends, side-steps, shuffles, backpeddle, etc. You probably won't get this deep into it until you start to hit and develop your game but like I said, basketball is good for this and can help with your coordination and footwork.

Make sure this is what you want to do and not just a passing fancy as tennis can consume your life. It takes a lot of practice and dedication. You will have to spend several hours on the court a day to improve. This may include Sundays and Saturdays. So, it will take a lot of work - especially at 16 - but you can do it. So, you also have to be determined to improve and fight your way to the Top whether it's you're on the playground or on Centre Court at Wimbledon.

And if nothing else, it can help you get into college.

Keep your head up and go for it if something you really think you want to do. You have my support.

Answer 2

Well I was like you two years ago, 14 years old and really didn't know how to play. Then I got commited and started practicing about 3-4 hours a day for 4-5 days a week. In a year I was already a skilled player and I knew I had talent. I am now currently taking lessons from a Pro coach who has taught world renound players. It's never to late to start Tennis, but is it to late to become a Pro ? Well only you can decide that through how hard you work.

Answer 3

No, you're not too late. I started tennis 2 years ago when I was 13 and I have been out a few months (well, almost half a year) due to injury, I even think I'm too late to become a professional. BUT you can always have fun with it and enjoy it. It's really-really fun!

Answer 4

no it's not to late to start PLAYING tennis...you can start at any age but if you want to become a pro then yes, I would say that 16 is a little late..

Answer 5

Well just to learn to play or play better, it is never too late. If you are talking about to compete and possibly get to the Wimbeldon level, then more than likely yes unless you just happen to have outstanding natural talent at the game. However, if you do have some talent and are willing to practice everyday over the next year or two then anything is possible. Real dedication is the key.

Answer 6

Well, its not to late. I would suggest you do private lessons. They may be a little more expensive, but you wont have to wait in line for a ball to get hit to you. You should probably practice 1-3 times a week. Bring a friend to a local court and hit the ball around. Remember, Practice Make Perfect.

Answer 7

no no its never too late

if you practice hard and long enough with enough focus and dedication it will pay off

first get a tennis coach and go from there...he/she will guide you and give you alloted practice time thats suitable for you

good to know you're interested in tennis

KEEP IT UP GIRL!

Answer 8

I don't think it is late for you to start playing properly and improve your game. But if you really wanna play the professional tour, I think you have to have the natural ability to play tennis coupled with diligent training sessions, etc.

Answer 9

It is a sport that you can play your whole life and start with a racquet that is $50-$60, find a wall and hit the ball....take lessons through a certified professional - racquet clubs will have certified instructors - and I can't emphasize hitting off a wall......you will learn consistency and the wall is always waiting for you to get into the game.

Answer 10

I don't think it's ever too late to start something. If you want it bad enough, you will excel. I would say practice every time you can. Good Luck!

Answer 11

i'm 32 and i started last year. i kind of suck but it's a lot of fun! anyway i think gaston gaudio, the guy who won the french open in 2004, didn't start playing until he was 17, and he did it to help his folks pay the bills. so don't worry about it. worst case scenario, you don't win a grand slam or anything but you do get to participate in a sport that you love, and have a lot of fun doing. it.