Being a sports fan is a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish. There will be highs, and there will certainly be lows. Regardless of your sport of choice, however, no matter what happens, you can guarantee that you’ll come back and tune in again and again, week after week, year after year.
Tennis is very much a spectator sport and is one of the most popular on the planet. The sport has a rich and storied history that goes back centuries and has produced some incredible and iconic moments and players.
One of the best things about tennis is the fact that the sport is so watchable. It grips you and sucks you in from start to finish. Even if you’re not an avid tennis fan, you probably have tuned into some of the higher-profile matches and tournaments over the years, or watched your countryman or woman represent your home nation at the Olympic Games.
Perhaps, though, you’ve started to get the tennis bug and are trying to become a more serious viewer? If so, then this look at how to get into watching tennis is all you need.
Check Out the Grand Slams
Tennis has four Grand Slam tournaments that take place each calendar year. They are:
- Australian Open
- French Open
- Wimbledon
- US Open
While there are plenty of other tennis tournaments and high-profile matches that take place throughout the year, Grand Slams really bring out the excitement, and they’re ideal for becoming a more serious viewer.
Each Grand Slam lasts for two weeks and showcases the absolute best male and female talent that the sport has on offer. Fans get behind these tournaments, as do the media, and this really gives them a feeling of importance and excitement.
To really understand what tennis is all about and see why it is such a hugely popular sport, we strongly recommend that you check out the Grand Slams that take place throughout the year.
The great thing about each Grand Slam is that each one is unique. They feature different countries and conditions, different playing surfaces, different atmospheres, and different matches.
By watching the different Grand Slams, you can also get a better idea of what style of play you prefer. Do you prefer the slow pace of clay surfaces, or are you more of a grass surface of Wimbledon kind of person?
Study How the Players Play a Match
Even if you’re not a tennis fan, you’ve probably seen clips of how a match is played, so you likely know the basics. To really appreciate the beauty of tennis, however, you should instead analyze every aspect of the game.
Study each player carefully, and watch how they play a game. Take note of how they stand, how they move, how they hold their racket, and how they strike the ball. Study the different shots and techniques, and see how each player reacts.
When you look a little deeper, you can appreciate just how difficult tennis is and just how talented these amazing athletes are. They don’t just stand still; they’re constantly on the move. Watch their feet, stance, and movements, and you’ll appreciate the game on a much greater level.
Get to Know the Rules
One of the main reasons why people tend to struggle to watch tennis at the start is the fact that they don’t understand the rules fully. Get to understand the rules, and the game will make perfect sense and will be much more enjoyable as a fan.
The rules of tennis are fairly complicated, which is why it can be difficult to follow the game. Once you understand the rules completely, however, watching the game will become so much more enjoyable.
There are plenty of articles and videos online that cover the rules of tennis, starting from the basics and ranging all the way up to the more complex rules that seasoned tennis aficionados follow. These videos and articles don’t take long to watch and read and will give you a more detailed understanding of how the game is played.
Get to Know the Players
In terms of how to get into watching tennis, once you get to know the players, your entire experience with the sport will become so much more enjoyable.
There are countless tennis players out there, including semi-professionals, as well as the big names that you see at Grand Slam tournaments. Get to know the players who regularly compete and try to find one or two that you can relate to and root for.
It doesn’t matter whether you like their style of play, how they look, how they conduct themselves, or even the vibes that they give off. If you like them, get behind them, root for them, follow them throughout the year and see how they get on.
You may very well go for the seasoned veterans and big names such as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Nick Kyrgios, or maybe some younger, up-and-coming talent such as Emma Raducanu?
Whoever you decide to root for, and for whatever reasons, having somebody to cheer on and get behind will make your viewing experience much more enjoyable and will offer a more competitive environment.
Give It Time
Finally, if you’re still wondering how to get into watching tennis, the last tip we have for you is simply to give it time.
Tennis matches can take a while to get going, the rules are complex, and there are a lot of stars to get to know. If you do give tennis time, however, you will be rewarded and will have one heck of an enjoyable experience.
