Tennis is one of the oldest and most popular racket sports in the world, and in Israel it has a large community and courts in almost every city. It combines fitness, strategy and a social connection, and it suits every age. In this guide you'll find everything you need to get started: what tennis is, what gear you need, the scoring and rules, tips for beginners, and how to find a court and partners to play with.
So what exactly is tennis?
Tennis is played as singles (1 on 1) or doubles (2 on 2) on a rectangular court divided by a net in the middle. You play with a strung racket and a felt ball. The goal: to return the ball over the net so that your opponent can't return it legally before it bounces twice. It's played on different surfaces (hard, clay or grass), and in Israel hard courts are the most common.
Why you should play tennis
- A sport for life: suitable from a young age all the way through to older age.
- A full-body workout: it combines endurance, strength, agility and coordination.
- A mental challenge: every point is a small tactical battle in its own right.
- Social or competitive: you can play a relaxed game with friends, or a serious, ranked match.
The gear you need to get started
Tennis racket
For beginners, a racket with a larger (more forgiving) head and a medium weight is recommended, making it easier to make clean contact with the ball.
Balls
Standard tennis balls. For beginners and children there are also "slow" balls that make learning easier.
Shoes and clothing
Tennis shoes with good lateral support (important for side-to-side movement) and comfortable sportswear.
Scoring and the rules of tennis (in brief)
- Point scoring: 0, 15, 30, 40, and then you win the game. A 40-40 tie is called "deuce," and you need a two-point lead in a row to take the game.
- Games and sets: a set ends at 6 games (with a margin of 2). If it reaches 6-6, you play a tiebreak. A match is usually decided by winning two sets.
- Serving: overhead, into the diagonal service box, with two attempts.
- In or out: a ball that touches the line counts as "in."
That's the basics, and all the finer points are best learned while playing.
5 tips for beginners
- Consistency before power: it's better to return ten balls than to smash one out.
- Footwork: most mistakes start from poor positioning. Move to the ball.
- Watch the ball: all the way to the moment of contact with the racket, not before.
- Take a lesson or two: proper technique early on saves you bad habits later.
- Play against people at your level: a balanced match = faster improvement, less frustration and real fun.
How to find a tennis court and partners to play with in Israel
In Israel there are tennis courts in almost every city and town, both public and private. The real challenge is usually not the court, but finding partners at your level, at a time that works for you.
That's exactly why we built PlayRocket: an app that matches you with partners by skill level and location, shows open matches you can join, and helps you coordinate everything in one place — no more five WhatsApp groups and no endless back-and-forth. And it's not just for tennis: padel, pickleball, badminton, beach tennis, squash, table tennis and volleyball too.
Want to start playing tennis?
Join the PlayRocket waitlist and be among the first to find partners and courts in your area.
Join the waitlist →Frequently asked questions about tennis
Is tennis hard to learn?
Tennis takes a bit more practice than other racket sports like padel or pickleball, but with a few lessons and regular practice you progress quickly. Getting started is accessible to anyone, at any age.
What is the difference between tennis and padel?
Tennis is played on a larger court, with a strung racket and no walls, and requires more running and technique. Padel is smaller, more social and easier to learn.
What gear do you need to get started?
A tennis racket, tennis balls, tennis shoes with lateral support and comfortable clothing. For beginners, a racket with a large, forgiving head is recommended, and you can rent a racket at first.
How long does it take to learn to play?
With a weekly lesson and regular practice, most people can rally and play short matches within a few weeks to a few months.
How do you find tennis partners in Israel?
Apps like PlayRocket find players and open matches by skill level and location, so you can find a suitable opponent even without a regular group.
More guides
Want to explore more sports? All guides · Padel · Pickleball · Padel vs. Tennis