Leisure Kicks - The essencial sport and leisure guide

There are so many reasons to start playing tennis. Tennis not only offers you all-round fitness (strength, stamina, cardiovascular), thanks to being able to play it indoors or outdoors – it’s a true all-year-round sport and one which, once hooked, many people play for life. It’s a sport that can be played well into later life – many adults even pick up the game in their 60s and stick with it! On the other end, even recent studies have shown the benefits of starting tennis at an early age as children who play can strengthen their bones by up to 63 per cent and help their bodies age better! However, perhaps the greatest appeal of this game is its simplicity. All you need is a racquet, some tennis balls and a net. You can play one on one in a singles competition or two versus two in a doubles games. But there is so much more to tennis than its physical benefits. In terms of competition, there are many ways to score points on the court, which forces players to get creative with their game play. It’s also an incredibly social game, a great way to meet interesting people and make new friends as well as a great way to spend time with the people you love. 

Choose your sport

GB’s Andy Murray on why you should get on the court