Welcome Beginners. We’re glad you’re here.
New to tennis? Let’s get started.
A Racquet & Balls
Newcomers are able to borrow a racquet from the bin in the tennis tunnel (The “tennis tunnel” - as we affectionately call it - is the walkway between the pool area and the tennis courts.). If you aren’t sure which racquet might best suit your needs, ask anyone and we’ll help you find the best racquet. Club members purchase their own balls for social play. Tennis balls may be purchased online or at local stores.
Find the right gear, provided by USTA.
Tennis/Court Shoes & Apparel
Non-marking shoes are required on our tennis courts. Most athletic shoes are non-marking but a suitable tennis shoe will provide more lateral support than a traditional running shoe as well as keep your foot closer to the ground for stability.
Athletic apparel will allow you to move freely. Dress codes at tennis clubs vary. At Carriage Manor, men wear sleeved shirts with athletic shorts or pants and women wear tennis tops with shorts, tennis skirts or leggings/athletic pants. Combining lightweight layers allows for flexibility as the sun warms the day.
Accessories
A tennis bag comes in handy, whether a backpack or tote style. Allow for plenty of room for your racquet, a can of balls, water bottle, sunscreen, hat, etc. Most players add a carabiner to their bag so that it can be hung from the fencing.
Playing tennis often requires looking up toward the sun. Players generally wear a hat or visor and sunglasses offer extra protection.
To help mitigate the heat, neck bandanas that can be soaked in water are available locally or online.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate…
The typical tennis session lasts about 1.5 hours. An active sport like tennis, played in our warm desert climate, requires that we constantly hydrate. Bring a large bottle of water to the courts and drink before, during and after your session. If you run out of water, we have a water fountain by the courts with a nozzle to refill a water bottle.
Safety Matters!
Like any sport, tennis involves some risk. Keep a few tips in mind to stay safe on our courts:
Don’t run backwards! We teach our players to turn and move sideways or turn around and run to the ball. Just let the ball go if prudence dictates. A point is not worth an injury!
Be aware of where your partner is on the court to avoid a collision. Talk to your partner.
Avoid over-exertion. If you feel pain, rest and assess what might be causing your discomfort before it gets worse.
Don’t forget! Warm up before playing tennis. See our Resources page for warm-ups.
Membership
Consider joining the Tennis Club. Dues are $30 per person. Membership provides access to the use of our ball machines and shed equipment, participation in league play, lessons & drills, and supports court maintenance as well as the many activities that our members enjoy.
When you are ready to join, dues envelopes may be found in the envelope holder on the bulletin board in the tennis tunnel.
The Tennis Tunnel
Sign-up Sheets
In the Tennis Tunnel, you’ll find our sign-up sheets for the courts, with pencils in the tray below the sheets. Grab three friends and reserve a court. Time slots are 1.5 hours in length. Sheets are posted for the current day and the following three days. Most weekday mornings will be used for league play and marked off accordingly. Other times, such as afternoon slots, may be crossed off for Round Robin or team practices. Join us on the courts!
Generally, evenings are quiet and you can wander down and find an open court. It’s a good time to practice on your own or with a friend.
Racquet Box
Feel free to use one of our racquets from the bin in the tunnel, but PLEASE return it to this box when you are finished playing. If you are ready to purchase a tennis racquet, we can provide you with resources to help you find the best one for your needs. Some of the links above also discuss finding the appropriate tennis racquet.
Tips for Beginners
Carriage Manor Tennis Club provides on-court instruction for all of our beginners. For those times when you want to read about tennis on your own or can’t recall a term that you learned, Midwest Sports provides a handy reference book.
Wondering how to get started…which type of tennis balls to use…where to play…how to start playing? See the USTA’s tennis tips for beginners.
How to make contact with the ball and get it over the net - It’s a new skill requiring lots of practice. We’ve been there! The USTA has a few tips to get you started.