Can I hire a tennis racket?

We have a selection of rackets (and balls) to purchase at a number of our venues, at competitive prices. Tennis rackets are available in our sports retail shops at Hyde Park, The Regent's Park, Chiswick and Lammas Park. If you want to try a demo racket before making your purchase you can now do that for just £25 per racket with our exclusive Park Sports Demo Racket Service ! This amount will be deducted from your bill if you decide to subsequently buy the racket from the venue on the day. We do not provide rackets for hire.

What should I do if I'm unsure if my court booking or coaching session will go ahead?

You should call your local venue to ask, no more than one or two hours prior to the start of your booking.

What if I book an organised sporting activity and don't turn up, or if I need to cancel at the last minute?

Different rules for camps and courses apply, according to the circumstances. Please refer to our Cancellations and Refund Policy .

Can I move to a different day of the week for my course?

If we have a space we will be happy to help you change day. An administration fee will be applicable.

Do you have waiting lists for adult courses?

Yes, if our adult courses are fully booked, you can join our waiting lists or sign up to our emails to receive the latest news and offers.

How do the waiting lists work?

If you join one of our waiting lists, you will be notified by email if a space or suitable alternative becomes available, along with instructions on how to book.

I joined a waiting list, am I guaranteed to get a space?

Due to the popularity at our venues, we cannot guarantee that you will be offered a space. We strongly encourage you to check our website frequently to give yourself the best opportunity to secure one. By signing up to our emails , you will be among the first to know of new courses as soon as they become available to book.

Can I check my progress on a waiting list?

No, but should you find a different activity you wish to book instead we can remove you from the waiting list if you want us to. To do this just let your venue know.

What rackets do you have for sale?

We have a range of tennis rackets to choose from, at competitive prices. At Hyde Park and The Regent's Park we also stock padel rackets. Please contact the venue for more details.

Before I book a course should I attend a Weekly Drill session?

Weekly Drills are ideal for trying out tennis or padel for the first time, or for determining your ability level before you sign up for a course. We encourage you to talk to a coach before booking, but attending a weekly drill is by no means compulsory.

What should I wear to play tennis?

Whites are for Wimbledon and while we all hope we can get there some day, we want you to bring your unique style to the court - the more colour the better! Wearing the right shoes is really important though – having the wrong ones can hurt your feet and cause injury. Wear a comfortable pair of trainers - these will stop you from slipping and getting foot and ankle injuries. When it comes to tennis kit, you can play in whatever you feel most comfortable in. Just remember you will be active – think t-shirts, shorts, tracksuit bottoms, sweatshirts.

What tennis racket should I buy?

For a beginner’s tennis racket, you don’t need to spend a lot of money – just look for a racket with a large head size. A larger racket head - between 95-110 square inches - will make it easier for you to hit the ball when you’re starting out. You can also test different grip sizes to find a racket that’s right for you. Grip sizes range from one to five and to find your correct size follow this step. When you wrap your hand around the handle, there should be a one centimetre gap (or the width of your little finger) between your thumb and first finger.

How often should I restring my racket?

The rule of thumb is to restring as many times each year as you average playing in one week. We recommend that you restring every six months as a minimum, to prevent tension loss. Visual indicators that you need to restring your racket include grooves in the intersections of your strings.

ADULT TENNIS

Courses

The Regent's Park

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Up Your Game

A fantastic way to train and improve your game. Learn with players of a similar level and get professional coaching advice from experienced LTA qualified coaches.

Course Levels at The Regent's Park

Make new friends and progress at your own pace from Beginner to Advanced levels. If you want to power up your skills by practicing in a group, we have a range of coaching programmes that cater to players of all ages and abilities. Build your skills and learn from top coaches, while meeting and socialising with new players on court – what’s not to love?

Park Sports Adult Tennis Courses Beginner

Beginner Courses

For new tennis players just starting, or those who may struggle with the fundamentals, such as forehand & backhand technique and consistency. Coaching includes drills and games to steadily introduce players to the game; teaching the basics of stroke play, how to serve and how to keep score.

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Park Sports Adult Tennis Courses Improver

Improver Courses

Ideal for anyone returning to play after a long break, or players who have just completed the beginner’s course. Game-based learning is used to emphasise good stroke technique. We will cover forehand and backhand groundstrokes, how to serve, and return of serve, volley and smash technique. Games and point-based scenarios are used to introduce basic game tactics.

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Intermediate Courses

Aimed at more experienced players who want to gain consistency. Players at this standard will have a solid skill base and will probably have played tennis for some time. As a guide, you should have sufficient skill to be able to consistently rally to 10 shots from the baseline – using forehands and backhands, can serve overarm, volley and smash with 60% efficiency.

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Advanced Courses

These courses are only for players who have played tennis for many years and who now play regularly. You can rally consistently and create opportunities to win points from your forehand and backhand. You can serve well, volley and smash with confidence. You compete regularly, or desire to do so.

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Adult Tennis Courses — Frequently Asked Questions

View all related FAQs

Browse all our FAQs

Can I hire a tennis racket?

We have a selection of rackets (and balls) to purchase at a number of our venues, at competitive prices. Tennis rackets are available in our sports retail shops at Hyde Park, The Regent's Park, Chiswick and Lammas Park.
If you want to try a demo racket before making your purchase you can now do that for just £25 per racket with our exclusive Park Sports Demo Racket Service! This amount will be deducted from your bill if you decide to subsequently buy the racket from the venue on the day. We do not provide rackets for hire.
What should I do if I'm unsure if my court booking or coaching session will go ahead?
What if I book an organised sporting activity and don't turn up, or if I need to cancel at the last minute?
Can I move to a different day of the week for my course?
Do you have waiting lists for adult courses?

How do the waiting lists work?
I joined a waiting list, am I guaranteed to get a space?
Can I check my progress on a waiting list?
What rackets do you have for sale?
Before I book a course should I attend a Weekly Drill session?
What should I wear to play tennis?

Whites are for Wimbledon and while we all hope we can get there some day, we want you to bring your unique style to the court - the more colour the better!
Wearing the right shoes is really important though – having the wrong ones can hurt your feet and cause injury. Wear a comfortable pair of trainers - these will stop you from slipping and getting foot and ankle injuries.
When it comes to tennis kit, you can play in whatever you feel most comfortable in. Just remember you will be active – think t-shirts, shorts, tracksuit bottoms, sweatshirts.
What tennis racket should I buy?

For a beginner’s tennis racket, you don’t need to spend a lot of money – just look for a racket with a large head size. A larger racket head - between 95-110 square inches - will make it easier for you to hit the ball when you’re starting out.
You can also test different grip sizes to find a racket that’s right for you. Grip sizes range from one to five and to find your correct size follow this step. When you wrap your hand around the handle, there should be a one centimetre gap (or the width of your little finger) between your thumb and first finger.
How often should I restring my racket?

LTA Qualified Coaching

Park Sports works with self-employed, highly experienced, professional LTA qualified tennis and padel coaches who can help you develop your technique and tactical game play.

If you want one-on-one or small group coaching that can be tailored to you, individual private lessons are the best way to improve your game, fast! Private lessons can be provided for all ages and abilities.

View all coaches

How to Find Us

The Regent’s Park gates may close earlier than our Sports Centre during the months September to March. If arriving by bicycle, at the front of the Café, you will be able to use our bicycle parking rack to lock your bike up safely. You will need to bring your own padlock.

Important Information: The Royal Parks have informed us that York Bridge will be fully closed to pedestrians and vehicular traffic from Autumn 2024 to Summer 2025. Find Out More

Directions

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