Tennis for beginners: What to prepare and where to start in Metro Manila?

While tennis has long been one of the world's most popular racket sports, the sport is gaining even more attention among Filipinos in 2026.

Much of the spotlight can be attributed to Alex Eala's incredible season so far, from reaching the fourth round of this year's Wimbledon to clinching her first-ever Women's Tennis Association (WTA) title at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington, D.C.

The rules of tennis are straightforward: When a serve is made, the player must rally the ball back and forth over the net and within the court's lines. A point is won when the opponent fails to return the ball properly, whether by hitting it into the net, outside the court's lines, or failing to return it before it bounces twice.

If you're one of the people inspired by the Filipina tennis ace to give the sport a try, here's everything you need to know before stepping onto the tennis court.

What to prepare

Aside from comfortable athletic clothes that allow you to move freely, it's ideal to have a good pair of tennis shoes. They are specifically designed to provide the grip, stability, and support needed for the quick movements required on a tennis court.

At Adidas, tennis shoes range from P1,750 to P9,500, while Nike offers tennis shoes from P4,095 to P8,895.

However, if you're just starting out with tennis, you don't have to invest in professional clothing and equipment just yet, as long as you have comfortable sportswear and suitable footwear.

Other essentials to keep in mind:

• Cap or visor for an outdoor game
• Sunscreen
• Small towel
• Water bottle

How much to play?

One of the most important things to do before starting to play tennis is to seek the guidance of a coach who can teach you the ins and outs of the game. You'll also need a court where you can practice.

At ProServe Manila, which is owned by professional tennis player Francis Lera, you can rent a tennis court for P550 per hour. You may also add P150 per hour for a ball boy, P50 for the lights, and P100 each for tennis racket and ball rentals. It is located in located in Santa Ana, Manila.

They also have trained coaches whom you can hire for P1,000 per hour, with a maximum of three people per session. For groups of four or more, an additional P400 per person applies per hour.

You can also hire a private coach for a one-on-one session for P1,300. Private group sessions are also available for two people at P900 per person, three people at P850 per person, and four people at P800 per person.

If you're serious about playing tennis in the long term, you may also avail yourself of a tennis course at ProServe, with options for 10 sessions (P12,000), 20 sessions (P24,000), and 30 sessions (P36,000). The prices are inclusive of court fees and equipment.

If you want to buy your own equipment, tennis rackets from Babolat range from P11,000 to P21,000, while Wilson sells rackets from P3,500 to P18,000.

More affordable options can be found at Decathlon, with tennis rackets ranging from P850 to P6,500. Meanwhile, tennis balls range from P150 to P3,790. —MGP, GMA News