Your first time on court
How to book, what to wear, and the three shots that win beginner points — everything for a great first hour.
You don't need a partner ranking, a €200 racket or a single tennis lesson. You need one booked hour, sports clothes, and the tips below.
Book it right
Courts are booked per hour, not per person — €16–40 split by four is cheap. Book online, pick a weekday off-peak slot (mornings or early afternoon), and start indoors: no wind, true bounces, faster learning.
No partner yet? Most venues run open matches and beginner meet-ups — book a single spot and get matched with three others at your level.
Rental rackets cost €3–5 and most venues include balls — bring a €2 coin for the locker and you're set.
What to wear & bring
Any sports outfit works. The only thing that matters is on your feet: court shoes with grip — tennis or padel soles are ideal, running shoes with smooth soles slide on the turf.
Three shots that win beginner points
Forget power. At beginner level, points are lost, not won — these three keep the ball in play until the other side misses.
Go in with rented gear and zero expectations. Rallies come faster than you think — most beginners are hooked before the hour is over.
How the hour runs
Warm up five minutes from the service line, spin a racket to decide who serves, switch sides after odd games. When the hour ends, tap rackets at the net — and book the next slot before the post-match glow fades.
Quick questions
Depending on city and time, roughly €16–40 per court hour — split by four that is cheap. Weekday off-peak slots are cheapest, and rental rackets cost €3–5.
Grippy court shoes matter most — tennis or padel soles are ideal. Running shoes with smooth soles slide on the sand-dressed turf.
Most venues run open matches and beginner meet-ups: book a single spot and get matched with three others at your level.
Bookings are usually 60 or 90 minutes. For your first time, one hour is plenty — warm up, rally, then count a few games.