How To Play Garden Tennis

Garden tennis is a fun and easy way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors.

You can play garden tennis by yourself or with friends, and it's a great way to spend an afternoon or evening in the garden.

In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about playing garden tennis, including how to set up the court and what equipment you will need, such as balls and racquets.

We will also give you some tips on how to improve your game and make it more enjoyable.

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Playing garden tennis isn't much different from regular tennis other than playing on a much smaller court, usually without a tennis net. You'll first want to decide on the number of players: either two or four.

If you choose to play with four players, the game is split into two teams, with each player taking control of one quadrant of the court. Focus on your quadrant and work together with your partner to force the opposing team to make a mistake with some well-placed shots.

Choose someone to serve first and then must then stand behind the baseline and hit the ball over the tennis net or the line where the net would be. From here, you can then attempt to start a rally, hitting the ball back and forth until someone misses.

Equipment Needed for Garden Tennis

It's worth remembering that garden tennis is just a bit of fun and is rarely played seriously or competitively. Either way, there are some key pieces of equipment that you'll need to play properly.

Rackets

Naturally, some of the most important pieces of equipment you'll need are tennis rackets. Any tennis racket will do, whether it's a full-sized professional racket or a smaller variation. Just ensure that the string used on the racket is sturdy enough to bounce the ball back.

Tennis Net

As we mentioned before, you don't need a tennis net to play garden tennis. However, a mini tennis net can be a great addition if you want to improve the quality of your garden tennis games instead of creating a makeshift net.

Balls

Even in garden tennis, you'll be hitting the balls quite far, and if they are too hard, they will be harder to get across the net and will likely not bounce properly either. This will quickly turn the game into more of a chore.

Rules of Garden Tennis

The aim of the game is to simply get a rally going or to be ruthless and ace the opposing team with a great serve. The rules are fairly simple. Each player must stay in their quadrant when four are playing or on their side if there are only two players.

Once a player makes a mistake by either missing the ball or hitting it out of bounds, the opposing team scores a point. Usually, garden tennis is played until one team reaches 11 points.

Tips for Playing Garden Tennis

Serving

Everyone has their own technique when it comes to playing tennis. When serving, you must land the ball in the quadrant diagonally away from you from behind the baseline. If it doesn't land in that quadrant or if you miss the ball, then it's a fault, and you must serve again.

Rally

A rally is basically once the ball stays in play being hit back and forth between teams. This can be incredibly satisfying, and the best way to build up a rally is to concentrate and control your power. It might be tempting to whack the ball as hard as possible, but this can cause you to struggle to hit the ball when it returns.

Ball Control

Keeping good control of the ball is important. Speed is not always the most important aspect of tennis. You can trick your opponent using different types of shots, including forehand, backhand, lobs and drop shots.

Footwork

Movement is key in tennis, and keeping your knees bent with a bit of bounce in them is important. This allows you to move quickly to reach the ball if it's out of reach.

Final Thoughts

Garden tennis can be a wonderful casual game for you and your friends. It can also be a great starting point for you to begin developing your tennis skills. You could then move up to a full-sized court with some proper tennis posts and a net once you feel ready to progress.

FAQs

What size garden do you need to play tennis?

Your garden doesn't need to be a certain size to play tennis. The game can be played in gardens of all sizes. The more space, the better, though!

How can I improve my tennis at home?

There are a few things you can do to improve your tennis at home. You can practice your swings by hitting a ball against a wall or using a tennis ball machine. You can also practice your footwork by moving around the garden and doing drills.

Do you have to have grass to play garden tennis?

No, you don't have to have grass to play garden tennis. The game can be played on any type of surface, including concrete, gravel, and even sand.

Is garden tennis the same as mini-tennis?

No, garden tennis is not the same as mini-tennis. Mini-tennis is played on a smaller court with different-sized balls and rackets. Garden tennis can be played on any size court with regular-sized balls and rackets.