Photograph by Getty Images
I’m not an athlete, but as I climb further into my 30s, I find myself caring more about physical fitness. The thing is, I need to have fun doing it. Run down a street just because? No. But tennis appeals to me. Chasing and hitting a ball is fun, plus there’s a social aspect. Last summer, I joined an ALTA league, unlocking a world of tennis I didn’t know existed in Atlanta. Starting a new sport can feel overwhelming, but fear not; I’m here to help you.
Get equipped
Admittedly, I was most excited about the gear when I started playing tennis. I like to play in colorful tennis skirts and dresses, which you can find at Atlanta’s own Your Serve Tennis, along with men’s apparel, shoes (for everyone), and rackets. Other locally owned stores include I Play Tennis in Ansley Mall and Hardcore Tennis Atlanta in Marietta. Choosing a racket can be as simple as ordering one off Amazon, but if you plan on doing this for the long haul, work with a pro who can guide you toward the right racket for your game. Most rackets don’t come with strings and need to be restrung when they get worn out, making shops like Hardcore particularly helpful.
Play with others
I like to play doubles, which allows you to share the joy (and pain) with someone else. You don’t need a built-in tennis buddy; you’ll find plenty of partners to play with in a league. ALTA offers men’s and women’s leagues in the spring and fall as well as mixed doubles in the winter for all skill levels and age groups throughout the city. ALTA has a “find a team” option to help players connect with established teams. Similarly, USTA has doubles leagues in the summer and winter. ALTA and USTA leagues follow a set schedule (members play on a specific day of the week depending on which league they join), but those seeking flexibility will find it with Ultimate Tennis (singles) and T2Tennis (doubles), which match players based on location, availability, and skill levels.
Brush up your skills
You don’t have to join a country club to take tennis lessons. Agape Tennis Academy offers adult and junior lessons and clinics at public courts throughout Atlanta, such as Bitsy Grant Tennis Center in West Midtown and DeKalb Tennis Center in North Decatur. Sandy Springs Tennis Center is also known for its well-staffed tennis program. Players can rent courts and find lessons at ITA Atlanta in Brookhaven.
Photograph courtesy of Painted Pickle
Mix it up
It’s not all about playing; mingling is part of the fun too. Though not tennis, drink-eat-play pickleball venues make for fun spots to socialize while picking up a racket. The Painted Pickle in Armour Yards specializes in snacks and small plates, including charcuterie and Korean spiced wings, with the indoor pickleball courts rented hourly. In Buford, Pickle and Social boasts a mix of indoor and outdoor courts as well as shareable dishes.
This article appears in our April 2025 issue.
