Tennis guides

What to know before you head to a court: where to find one, how it will play, how to share it, and how to get a game going.

• How to find a public tennis court near youWhere public tennis courts are, what open, gated, managed and club access mean in practice, and how to check before you drive.
• Hard, clay or grass: how tennis court surfaces playHow hard, clay and grass tennis courts differ in speed, bounce and wear on your body, and how to pick the right court and shoes for each.
• Tennis etiquette at public courtsUnwritten rules at public tennis courts: waiting your turn, time limits, line calls, stray balls, lights and leaving the court tidy.
• NTRP and UTR tennis ratings explainedWhat NTRP and UTR ratings mean, roughly how each level plays, how to rate yourself honestly, and why ratings help you find a matched partner.
• How to find a tennis partner and set up a gameWhere to meet tennis players, how to match levels, what to agree before you play, and how to pick a court that is fair to everyone.
• What to bring to the tennis court: a practical checklistWhat to pack for a tennis session: racquet, the right balls and shoes, water, sun protection, small extras and what you need for managed courts.
• Playing tennis at night: court lights and what to expectHow tennis court lights are usually run, how to see the ball under them, and what to wear, where to park and how to be considerate after dark.
• Playing tennis in summer heat: how to stay safe on courtWhy hard courts run hotter than the air, when to play, how to drink and dress, how heat changes balls and strings, and the signs of heat illness.
• Indoor tennis: how indoor courts work, cost and playThe kinds of indoor tennis court, who runs them, how booking and pricing usually work, and how indoor play differs from the outdoor game.