Starting Your Tennis Group

Every great tennis group starts with a simple idea: get some people together to play tennis regularly. The key word is regularly. Consistency is what transforms casual acquaintances into a real tennis community.

Finding Your First Players

You need at least 4 people for doubles, but 8-12 is ideal for a sustainable group. Here's where to find players:

Friends and colleagues: Start with people you know who play tennis
Local tennis clubs: Many have bulletin boards or social programs
Community centers: Often have tennis courts and player communities
Tennis meetup groups: Websites like Meetup.com have active tennis communities
Social media: Local Facebook groups, Nextdoor, or neighborhood apps
Tennis leagues: USTA leagues and local recreational leagues

Pro Tip

Start small. It's easier to grow from 4-6 committed players than to manage 20 people who show up randomly. Quality over quantity, especially at the beginning.

Choosing a Time and Place

Consistency is everything. Pick a specific day, time, and location, then stick to it.

Day Selection

Survey your potential players about availability. Early mornings, lunch hours, evenings, and weekends each attract different crowds. Monday evenings gave us our name!

Court Access

Public parks (free but first-come), club courts (membership required), or private facilities (rental fees). Consider weather backup options for outdoor courts.

Duration

2-3 hours is typical for recreational sessions. This allows for warmup, multiple sets with partner rotations, and some social time.

Managing Skill Levels

One of the biggest challenges in recreational tennis is managing different skill levels. Here's how to keep everyone happy:

Understanding Skill Ratings

The NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program) uses a 1.0-7.0 scale. Most recreational players fall between 2.5-4.5:

Rating	Description
2.5	Learning to judge ball direction, developing form
3.0	Consistent on medium-paced shots, developing directional control
3.5	Improved consistency, starting to use spin and placement
4.0	Reliable strokes with power and spin, good court coverage
4.5	Strong shots, can vary style, good anticipation

Balancing Teams

For competitive but fair matches, pair stronger players with weaker ones:

A/B pairing: Each team has one stronger (A) and one weaker (B) player
Rotate partners: Everyone plays with everyone over time
Track fairness: Monday Tennis shows who has played with whom
Adjust as needed: If matches are lopsided, rebalance pairings

Session Formats

Different formats work for different groups. Here are the most popular:

Round Robin

Everyone rotates through different partnerships. After each set (or short set), partners change. Points accumulate individually.

Best for: 8+ players, social groups, mixed skill levels

King of the Court

Winners stay on court, challengers rotate in. Creates high-energy competition with natural skill-based matchups.

Best for: Similar skill levels, competitive groups, limited courts

Fixed Partnerships

Same partners play together all session. Good for practicing team strategies and building partner chemistry.

Best for: Pairs preparing for tournaments, fewer players, longer sessions

Social Mixer

Partners determined by drawing names or cards. Emphasis on fun and meeting new people rather than competition.

Best for: New groups, club events, building community

Keeping Your Group Thriving

Communication

Clear, consistent communication keeps everyone engaged:

Create a group chat (WhatsApp, iMessage, etc.) for coordination
Send reminders before each session
Confirm attendance a day in advance
Share results and standings (Monday Tennis makes this easy)
Celebrate milestones and achievements

Handling No-Shows

No-shows disrupt the balance. Here's how to manage them:

Set clear expectations about confirming attendance
Maintain a "sub list" of players who can fill in
Have backup formats for odd numbers (rotate one player out each set)
Don't take it personally—life happens

Growing Your Group

Once established, you can thoughtfully expand:

Ask current members to invite friends
Host "bring a friend" sessions
Post in local tennis communities
Maintain a waitlist if you're at capacity
Consider adding a second session day for overflow

The Monday Tennis Advantage

Running a tennis group involves a lot of logistics. Monday Tennis simplifies the administrative side:

Automatic scoring: No more spreadsheets or mental math
Fair play tracking: See who has played with whom at a glance
Season management: Create seasons, preserve history
Player timelines: Everyone can see their own stats
Group management: Add players, manage admins, all in the app

This frees you up to focus on what matters: playing tennis and building your community.

See How Other Groups Use Monday Tennis

Whether you're at a church, retirement community, workplace, neighborhood, or meetup, we've got specific tips for your type of group.

Find Your Group Type

Ready to start?

Download Monday Tennis and create your group in minutes. Add your players, record your first sets, and watch the leaderboard come alive.

Your tennis group deserves better than a messy spreadsheet.

How to Run a Tennis Group