El Paso, TX (KFOX14) — Okay, this was fun, but I also walked onto the court with a very practical question: What happens when you want to try tennis but have absolutely no idea where to begin?
We visited El Paso Tennis & Swim Club to find out how beginners, families and experienced players can get involved. The answer was much less intimidating than I expected. You do not have to commit to a full membership before you know whether tennis is for you, and you definitely do not have to arrive looking like you already know what you are doing.
Club manager Ed Phinney explained that many of the people using the courts are not full club members.
“About 90% of the people who play here are not members of the club,” Phinney said during our conversation.
The club currently lists a single-day pass for $25, along with individual, family and summer membership options. A full membership includes benefits such as court access, use of the pool and gym, court reservations and admission to club social events.
That flexibility matters. Sometimes you want to try the court, take a lesson or see whether an activity fits into your life before making a bigger commitment. Phinney said the goal is to give El Paso residents more than one way to participate.
“There’s no initiation fee, no sign-up fee,” he told us. “We’re the heart and soul of tennis in El Paso.”More Than a Century of Tennis in El Paso
There is also a lot of history behind those courts.
The El Paso Tennis Club was established in 1921 with four clay courts and a clubhouse. The organization moved to its current location in 1948 and has continued growing through generations of El Paso players. Today, the facility includes 15 hard courts, a swimming pool, clubhouse, gym and the Todo Tennis Pro Shop.
That history could make a complete beginner feel a little nervous, but the club’s current programs are designed to accommodate different ages and experience levels. You might see competitive players training on one court and someone learning how to hold a racquet on another.
Phinney described tennis as “a sport of a lifetime,” pointing out that the club has players in their 80s who still visit several times each week.
Honestly, that was one of the details that stayed with me. Tennis is not limited to one season of life. Someone can begin as a child, return as an adult or pick up the sport later simply because they want a new way to stay active.
Tennis Lessons for Children, Adults and Complete Beginners
We also spoke with tennis director Sergio Acosta, who leads El Paso Elite Tennis Academy at the club.
Acosta said the academy has worked with El Paso players for more than 20 years. The current year-round program lineup includes Mini Aces for ages 4 and 5, Rising Stars for ages 6 through 9, Future Elite for ages 10 through 12, Elite Prep for players 13 and older, and adult development classes for participants 18 and older. Private lessons and trial classes are also available.
“It doesn’t matter what age you are, everybody’s welcome,” Acosta said. “You don’t have to be a member of the club.”
That answered the question I was really asking. I admitted that I did not know anything about tennis, and I wanted to understand how the coaches would work with someone starting from zero.
Acosta explained that the coaches follow a technique-focused methodology. Students begin working on their strokes and fundamentals from the beginning, regardless of their age or current skill level.
“It’s not a big deal if you’ve never played before,” he said. “That’s what programs are for.”
There is something reassuring about hearing that directly from the person running the program. You are not expected to prepare for the lesson before taking the lesson. The lesson is where you learn.
How to Get Started
Players interested in tennis lessons can visit the El Paso Elite Tennis Academy website, choose group lessons from the menu and select the program that corresponds with their age and experience. The academy also offers separate booking options for private lessons and trial classes.
People who want to explore the broader club can review the current day-pass and membership information through the El Paso Tennis & Swim Club website. Because prices, pool schedules and program availability can change, check the current information or contact the club before visiting.
The biggest takeaway from our afternoon on the court was simple: You do not need years of experience, a full membership or a perfect serve to begin. You just need a place that is willing to meet you at your actual starting point.
For El Paso residents who have been curious about tennis but were not sure how to take the first step, this may be the practical introduction you were looking for.
(Courtesy: KFOX14)