Tennis Cost and Motivation

[BOShappyplayer]

I'll post my two questions before I go into my backstory:

1) how much do you spend on tennis lessons/clinics?
2) what are your tennis goals?

Like a lot of people here, I have immense passion for the sport. I started a few months back and have since spent countless hours reading up on the techniques, watching instructional videos, practicing (with people and against the wall), and taking a clinic on a weekly basis to work on techniques and improve my game. It feels great to be on the court, but tennis is turning out to be more expensive than I thought.

The place where I go to take tennis clinics have jacked up their rates and are charging close to $50 for an hour and a half...and this isn't even a semi-private lesson! It's a clinic with 6-1 student/pro, so actual instruction time varies. I've been taking it despite the cost because it brought me a great deal of joy and also helped me learn the proper techniques to go from beginner to 3.0 in a few months. While I'm not a strong 3.0, I'm still continuing to develop as an all court player.

I was budgeting the other day, and tennis is costing more than I expected. Putting it in perspective, my monthly cell phone bill costs me $100 (5-line family plan) and tennis is costing me close to $200/month, which seemed excessive, in comparison. This means that I've spent over $1k just on the clinics for the last few months alone! I've tried another (slightly cheaper) clinic and it's not nearly as good in terms of the structure. That leads me to question #2 - I'm starting to wonder what I want go get out of tennis.

There were a few basic goals that I've met (i.e. have fun, meet people, play well enough to be able to play recreationally), but now, I like to work to my goal of becoming a 4.0-4.5 or higher. I know this would be much, much more difficult than going from beginner to 3.0, having played with a computer rated guy who's a 4.0 before. Still, I want to give it a shot (with practice and some natural talent) , but I'm starting to wonder, what then, even if I reached that goal?

 

[teppeiahn1]

You don't have to pay so much for tennis buddy. I started tennis 8 month ago and boy I improved alot. I beat kids whos been taking lessons for 3 years. Its all about how much your into it. I would sudgest you take lessons till you learn the basics so that you don't develope bad habits.

 

[Warthog]

I myself haven't invested too much on it, just on strings (a friend of mine gave me 2 Ksix.one tour 90's haha!). In my area, i don't trust coaches or trainers, and wouldn't go anyways, because they charge somewhat and don't fully train you, they show you bit by bit, taking out your money. I've learned most of what i know from internet research and youtube heh.

 

[Storm_Kyori]

I have been playing for about 2 yrs 1 month. I had never picked up a racket since then only in PE and nobody there took things seriously. It was just a way to stay out of the books and just be outside. I fell in love with the game. Unfortunately, it was my Junior yr in HS and the next year would require me to focus more on my studies. So I didn't start playing till my freshman year in college. I bought a racket at my local sporting goods store and started hitting. I would hit with guys that had been playing for 2+ and were even on the team. I was encouraged by (now) my friends. Although they were better than me, they gave me tips on what I could do and their overall attitude towards the game is what I most liked. I played at school for about 4hrs 3 days a week. I got into a tennis team at a local high school of players that would meet up and hit. With them I played another 2-3hrs for two days. What I mean to say with my little story is that once you get the basics down I think competition, match play goes a long way to complete your game. I'm considered by most of my peers to be one of them few they know to go from a complete beginner to a strong 3.0 (rated) 3.5 almost. Try to play as much as you can and try to do it with those with more experience and guys you find challenging, they will elevate your game since they are pushing you to do better. I also think that it's too much what you're paying for lessons. It may be top quality, but in excess it adds up. Maybe go there once a week until you feel what you're doing is repetition. I think that with determination you can go as far as you want. Of course you'll have challenges along the way, but that will most likely keep things fun.

 

[volusiano]

I think tennis can cost as much or as little as you want to spend on it. You can only blame yourself if you spend way more than you think you should on tennis.

As for goals, I think 2 overriding goals should be to have fun and get good exercise, unless you want to turn pro, which is another whole topic we won't get into here. If your goal is to get to 4.0-4.5 level, sure, go ahead and try it. But if you start stressing out about whether you're ever going to get there and that makes it less fun, then it's time to reassess and readjust. Or whether you're spending way too much $ on tennis and the high cost makes it less fun, then it's time to reassess and readjust.

 

[J011yroger]

The way I look at it, however much I spend on tennis, it is better than spending it in a bar on a saturday night.

When you look at it, your $200 a month costs basically the same as grabbing a burger and a coke every day for lunch.

J

 

[kelz]

The way I look at it, however much I spend on tennis, it is better than spending it in a bar on a saturday night.

When you look at it, your $200 a month costs basically the same as grabbing a burger and a coke every day for lunch.

J

I don't get the juxtaposition, are you infering that he should'nt eat?

 

[misterchris]

I am in a similar situation, having just started playing, but I budgeted a few thousand (3K) yearly for the first year. That includes club fees for court access, clinics, private lessons, and gear. Fortunately, clinics at our club are only $20 on top of monthly dues.

I would recommed taking private lessons with a pro you can trust if you are paying that much for clinics. Hourly rates where I am are 60-80 for various pros. I take private lessons and clinics and the private lessons are much better because I am hitting more balls, and the instruction is tailored to me. I could spend the whole lesson working on one shot if I wanted.

As far as what you want to get out of it, that is up to you. I was looking for something fun that was social, and provide outlet for competition and physical fitness. Also something to challenge myself physically and mentally. Good luck.

 

[J011yroger]

I don't get the juxtaposition, are you infering that he should'nt eat?

No, just that we spend money every day, and don't pay attention to it, and in the grand scheme of things it doesn't amount to very much.

I have cut down on eating out, and going out, so that I can spend more on tennis stuff.

I would balk at paying $80 for an hour of coaching but think nothing of going out to dinner and spending that same $80. Or $2-300 on a saturday night out drinking but not wanting to travel to a tournament.

J

 

[Element54]

Most costs would go towards tennis balls, courts, rackets every so often, clothing. Personally, I play on free courts, so tennis balls and clothing would be my costs.

I'm self taught so I spend no money there, and my goals are to be better than my friends.

 

[Satch]

Most costs would go towards tennis balls, courts, rackets every so often, clothing. Personally, I play on free courts, so tennis balls and clothing would be my costs.

I'm self taught so I spend no money there, and my goals are to be better than my friends.

i would put that as my goal only if i have Federer for a friend...

 

[BOShappyplayer]

Thanks all, I appreciate your feedback. While I complain about the costs, I give a lot of credits to the clinics for helping me to progress quickly since I started playing ~ 6 months ago.

I really was surprised by how the costs have been adding up. I figured all I need for tennis is a racket, some balls, and a court and I'm set! I haven't gone out to buy expensive attire. I figured there's no point looking pretty like a tennis pro if my game sucked. (BTW, I'm female - Sorry for the confusion since ppl are referring to me as a guy. )

I do think the cost is excessive even though my instructors are wonderful. Problem is that with winter right around the corner, there's an added cost of indoor court fees (tennis is not a winter sport in the NE). When I play on the public courts, I tend play with a couple of guys (some regulars there) who are solid players. Some are much better than me, and some who I can beat. It always makes interesting practice since they give me some pointers.

volusiano, i think you nailed it here:
"Or whether you're spending way too much $ on tennis and the high cost makes it less fun, then it's time to reassess and readjust." It's because of the $ expense that it makes it less fun. I will probably readjust soon.

I guess I'm not so much stressed about getting to my 4.0-4.5 goal. Even if I don't there, I'm sure I'll still have fun along the way. I guess I have some other lofty tennis goals, and I KNOW that it's not easy to go from 3.0 to 4.0 or 4.5, but I'm an optimist so I'll see how things play out in a few years and figure out that part out when it's time.

Thanks again - it's always good to get some feedback!

 

[goober]

I'll post my two questions before I go into my backstory:

1) how much do you spend on tennis lessons/clinics?
2) what are your tennis goals?

1) $0- don't take lessons or clinics.

2) Hang around 4.0-4.5 level.

Pretty much the only costs I have are court cost(which are minimal), leauge fees and balls. Shoes and clothes I probably have enough for the next 3 years. Usually I will buy something if it is a really good deal. Like this weekend I was at the Nike outlet and they had their drifit polos and shorts for $10.

 

[J011yroger]

Uh oh, Goob you just displaced JohnnyF as the poster with my favorite sig. That is F'ing hillarious.

J

 

[phoenicks]

The way I look at it, however much I spend on tennis, it is better than spending it in a bar on a saturday night.

When you look at it, your $200 a month costs basically the same as grabbing a burger and a coke every day for lunch.

J

No, just that we spend money every day, and don't pay attention to it, and in the grand scheme of things it doesn't amount to very much.

I have cut down on eating out, and going out, so that I can spend more on tennis stuff.

I would balk at paying $80 for an hour of coaching but think nothing of going out to dinner and spending that same $80. Or $2-300 on a saturday night out drinking but not wanting to travel to a tournament.

J

I think Jollyroger got it right, me too is cutting other expenses just so that I can spend more on tennis

But, I got the exact opposite problem with OP, I have a wonderful coach from overseas in my school whose intstruction has makes me improved by leaps and bounds, and the best thing is he's next to free, Because my school pay for his coaching fee, LOL

But, I have another problem, I spend too way much on tennis racquet, ( partly because I don't have demo service ). I I've bought and sell 8 racquets so far, Now I only got 3 left... and I make some huge loss in selling after I don't like the racquet I bought.

In the end, the way I see it, I still think that spending on tennis is way healthier than spending on other stupid thing ( you named it ). And of course, spending on lesson is even better than becoming a gear junkie, LOL

 

[5263]

I think Jollyroger got it right, me too is cutting other expenses just so that I can spend more on tennis

But, I got the exact opposite problem with OP, I have a wonderful coach from overseas in my school whose intstruction has makes me improved by leaps and bounds, and the best thing is he's next to free, Because my school pay for his coaching fee, LOL

But, I have another problem, I spend too way much on tennis racquet, ( partly because I don't have demo service ). I I've bought and sell 8 racquets so far, Now I only got 3 left... and I make some huge loss in selling after I don't like the racquet I bought.

In the end, the way I see it, I still think that spending on tennis is way healthier than spending on other stupid thing ( you named it ). And of course, spending on lesson is even better than becoming a gear junkie, LOL

Well you are playing with a great stick now, so your search should be done. MG Prestige, right.

 

[phoenicks]

Well you are playing with a great stick now, so your search should be done. MG Prestige, right.

Yeah, just don't see myself changing stick in the near future, MG Prestige Mid have these great playability and most importantly, a sexy paintjob to make me hang on to it for a long while, it's like an ultimate bombshell to me LOL !!!

 

[SlapShot]

For me, tennis expenditures are an investment in my health (mental and physical). If I were to veg out on the couch instead of going to drills, matches, etc, I'd gain weight and would likely have higher health costs in the future.

Personally, I spend probably $100/month on tennis costs between drills, matches, etc (not including shoes, frames, etc). My goals are a little bit more ambitious (I'm shooting to get to 5.0 level), but even if I don't get there, tennis is a lifetime sport and for me, it's much more fun to paly tennis than to spend 45 minutes on a treadmill.

 

[max]

You know, don't look at the dollars, look at the number of hours you're spending on court. To make the jump to the level you want, you really need to hone your strokes, get used to doing stuff in a variety of point and setting situations, get used to playing a lot of different kinds of players.

You need time spent on court.

It's possible that you have a local community tennis association. This would be a good way to locate people at about, or just above, your ability level. Shoot for someone a bit better; you'll find this sharpens you up.

 

[FloridaAG]

I'll post my two questions before I go into my backstory:

The place where I go to take tennis clinics have jacked up their rates and are charging close to $50 for an hour and a half...and this isn't even a semi-private lesson! It's a clinic with 6-1 student/pro, so actual instruction time varies. I've been taking it despite the cost because it brought me a great deal of joy and also helped me learn the proper techniques to go from beginner to 3.0 in a few months. While I'm not a strong 3.0, I'm still continuing to develop as an all court player.

That is very expensive for that kind of clinic - here they are about $20 generally - You can buy packages where it comes out to $13 a pop for 1.5 hour clinics. That way it is worth it - for $50 you are better off having a private - and then setting up people to play with at other times.

 

[sureshs]

Main recurring expense in tennis is court/club cost, balls, and stringing. Stringing can be quite expensive, but should be done at least once a month, otherwise you will not groove your strokes.

I don't take lessons or attend clinics. I just watch the pros on Tennis Channel and read the posts here. There are plenty of dvds and free videos on the internet about different aspects of the game. I found lessons to be too constrained and artificial.

 

[smoothtennis]

By month -

Strings - 35.00
Tourneys - 30.00
Leauge - 15.00
Shoes - 26.00
Balls - 5.00
Lessons - 0.00

Somewhere around 100/mo. And I could easily reduce that by not doing a tournament.

Goals - (oh boy)
1. Ultimate Goal - have the skills and understanding of the game, to be able to win consistently at high 4.5 level, and be able to play an honest game with 5.5 by today's standards - off the ground, assuming I can return their service consitently. To have the footwork, strokes and ball recognition skills to be able to play 5.0+. Not to hurt them, or out hit them, but to be able to have good point play.

2. FUN!

3. Lifetime skills and understanding of the game. I enjoyed watching tennis before I played. The more I understand the game, grips, spins, positions, etc....the more I infinitely enjoy watching tennis.

4. Health and fitness. I want to keep as much speed, coordination, stength, and agility as possible well into my 60's. Yes I mean it.

I think lessons up front are critical for a long term plan to set basic fundamentals in place - before you hit 10,000 balls wrong in practice. However, at some point - you won't need lessons except for shoring up specific things that you want to work on.

Video can be an incredible teacher. I mean video of your strokes, once you gain some understanding. What happens, is you learn watching yourself, what you ARE doing, not what you THINK you are doing. Then you become aware, start to feel it, and THEN you can begin to correct it.

What I mean to say is...it can cost a lot now, and much less in the future, especially if you find some better players with a good attitude to play with.