Why should my child play tennis?

Tennis is a lifelong sport with numerous benefits! Studies show that tennis can increase life expectancy by up to 10 years—more than any other sport. Plus, at Tenicity, your child will learn from a team of dedicated and experienced coaches who are trained in our coaching methods and in positive youth development via sports.

What are the benefits of enrolling in Tenicity programs?

At Tenicity, our expert coaching focuses on building solid fundamentals. We carefully assess each player to ensure they are placed in the right stage of training, allowing for continuous improvement and progression. Beyond tennis skills, our programs instill values and life lessons that extend far beyond the court. For example, one of our students, Lucky Kancherla, progressed from Varsity at Edina HS to collegiate tennis at Western Illinois University, and is now pursuing law at Georgetown University. We encourage you to explore more of our Player Success Stories. 

If my child won’t pursue tennis professionally, is it still valuable?

Yes! Tennis offers benefits far beyond the professional level:

• It keeps participants active and healthy.
• It instills values and life skills such discipline, focus, and persistence.
• It provides a positive environment to make friends and to build community throughout a person’s life. 
• It teaches mental and emotional balance, including resilience in facing the inevitable ups and downs in the journey. 
• Tennis provides positive role models and mentors to guide participants’ personal growth.

My child has been in several Tenicity classes/camps the past year. Are they ready to move up to the next age group? 

To determine if your child is ready to move up, we need to consider both the consistency and duration of their training. Sporadic participation, with breaks of several weeks or more, can slow progress as it often requires time to re-learn skills when returning. Simply attending multiple sessions doesn’t automatically indicate readiness for the next age group or skill level. A combination of consistent participation, sufficient training duration, and the individual rate of improvement are key factors in making this decision.

If my child has done beginner lessons, are they ready for the intermediate level?

Our beginner program is structured into three stages, each designed to progressively teach the fundamentals of the game, including the different strokes, athletic skills, gameplay structure, and character development. Progression depends on the participant’s consistency and individual learning pace. Long breaks, such as seasonal play, can cause skill regression and slow overall progress. We regularly assess each player’s development to ensure they are placed in the appropriate stage for their growth.

What is the commitment needed to reach higher levels?

After the beginner stage, a higher level of commitment is required, with increased weekly training and a year-round focus on tennis to reach the top School Varsity and State levels.

To compete at the national and international level, a strong commitment is needed. For example, Harsh Mankad, as India’s No. 1 junior, trained 5-6 days a week for 2 hours from age 11, traveled nationally for tournaments, and began international competition at 13. His success in junior tennis, including national titles and a Top 50 ITF World Junior Ranking, led to a scholarship at the University of Minnesota, where he played NCAA Division 1 tennis.

Where do the lessons and camps take place?

• Beginner Programs: Check our Beginner Tennis Program page for location details.
• Junior Development and High Performance Programs: Held at Edgewood Middle School (New Brighton) in the outdoor months and Baseline Tennis Center (University of Minnesota) during winter.
• Private Lessons: Available outdoors in the north and south metro (mid April – mid October) and indoors at Baseline Tennis Center in the winter.

How do I choose the right racquet for my child?

Choosing the correct racquet size is important for comfort and skill development. Visit this racquet selection guide for more details.