So, I started this whole tennis coaching thing, and let me tell you, it’s been quite a ride. I’ve always loved tennis, you know, hitting the ball around, getting some exercise, and enjoying the outdoors. But I wanted to get better, like, really better. So, I decided to find a tennis coach.
First, I did some digging around to see what the deal was with coaching prices. Turns out, it’s a pretty wide range. I saw some folks offering lessons for as low as $20-25 an hour, but those were usually pretty basic, like, coaches who were just starting out. Then there were others charging $60 an hour on average, and some even going up to $150! It all depended on the coach’s experience, qualifications, and where they were located. Then one guy online said that one coach was charging $7500 for one private lesson. And I found out that a year of group lesson costs around $1500 to $5000. That was way out of my budget.
I figured I’d aim for something in the middle, you know, reasonable but not dirt cheap. After all, I wanted someone who knew their stuff but wasn’t going to break the bank. I started asking around at local tennis clubs, checking out their websites, and reading some reviews online.
Eventually, I narrowed it down to a few coaches who seemed like a good fit. I reached out to them, chatted about my goals, and got a feel for their coaching styles. One coach, let’s call him Mike, really stood out. He had a ton of experience, a positive attitude, and seemed genuinely interested in helping me improve.
We set up our first lesson, and I was pretty nervous. I hadn’t had formal training in years! But Mike was great. He was patient, encouraging, and explained things in a way that made sense to me. We started with the basics, working on my grip, my stance, and my swing.
Here’s what a typical lesson with Mike looks like:
- Warm-up: We always start with some light cardio and stretching to get my body ready.
- Drills: Then we move on to drills, focusing on specific techniques like forehands, backhands, volleys, and serves.
- Feedback: Mike gives me constant feedback, pointing out what I’m doing well and what I need to work on.
- Practice: We spend a good chunk of time just hitting balls, putting what I’ve learned into practice.
- Cool-down: We end the lesson with some more stretching to prevent soreness.
I’ve been taking lessons with Mike for a few months now, and I can already see a huge difference in my game. My strokes are more consistent, I have more power, and I’m making fewer errors. It’s not just about the technical stuff, though. Mike has also helped me with my mental game, teaching me how to stay focused, strategize, and handle pressure.
It hasn’t always been easy. There have been days when I felt frustrated or like I wasn’t making progress. But Mike has always been there to encourage me and keep me motivated. He’s not just a coach; he’s become a mentor and a friend.
I’m still a work in progress, but I’m excited about how far I’ve come and where I’m headed. Hiring a tennis coach was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s not just about improving my tennis skills; it’s about pushing myself, learning something new, and having fun along the way.
My equipment
Of course, I bought some new equipment. I think I spent around $300 on my new rackets and shoes. I will keep practicing and share with you guys my journey.
