Whether you’re new to the game or a veteran player, finding the right league is important. If you have great ground strokes, you don’t want to hit with people who can barely keep the ball in play. On the flip side, if you’re just starting tennis, you don’t want to feel intimidated by women who have mastered the game.
USTA or Inter-Club?
In most cities, you have a choice between playing on a United States Tennis Association league or a club-sponsored inter-club league. The difference is huge. USTA leagues usually consist of singles and doubles. The team has a captain who normally picks a certified tennis pro to lead the practice sessions. Practices are usually held on a week night or a Saturday and the matches are almost always on Sunday afternoons or evenings. Before you can play on a USTA league, you must determine your level of play.
National Tennis Rating Program Skill Levels
- 2.0 You lack court experience and your strokes need developing. You are familiar with the basic positions for singles or doubles play.
- 2.5 You are learning to judge where the ball is going although your court coverage is limited. You can sustain a short rally and keep the ball in play.
- 3.0 You are pretty consistent when hitting medium-paced shots. But you’re not comfortable with all your strokes and lack control.
- 3.5 Your strokes are more dependable and you can place your shots. You have better court coverage and more aggressive net play.
- 4.0 Your stokes are dependable and you are able to utilize spin and power to place the ball where you want it. You have lobs, overheads and approach shots in your arsenal.
- 4.5 You use power and spin consistently and you can handle pace and shot variety. You can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place your second serve. You have good foot work and depth control.
Once you determine your skill level, you can choose a team. Make sure that not only are the other women on the team compatible in their abilities, but also in personality. If you want to just have fun, but the team you’re looking at has a reputation for being "very serious," it might not be a good fit. If you’re looking at a league as more of a social event, inter-club might be more your style. These leagues tend to concentrate solely on doubles. And they are usually more laid back, with practices and matches held on weekdays.
What to look for in a league:
- Fun women who you enjoy being with.
- A tennis pro who makes drills challenging and keeps you moving.
- A schedule you can live with and plenty of substitutes available if you have to miss a match.
For more information on USTA leagues and skill levels, visit the United States Tennis Association web site. For information on inter-club, contact local tennis clubs in your area.
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