I am thinking of starting tennis but i don't know weather i should start with a friend or by myself?

Question

i am not a really social person, so i wanna start tennis.

I have two best friends and one of them are leaving at the end of the year (states). and my other friend will be finishing school at the end of year 10. And when i go to year 11 and 12 i don't have anyone to hang around with. So will starting tennis make me more social? Should i start with my friend or without? How do i become more social and less shy? PLEASE HELP ME.

Answer 1

Tennis can be a great social sport, but.....to play it requires a personal commitment of time, energy and attention.  Its a little harder to be social across a net compared to sitting across a chess board, but it can work.  You need assurance your friends really want to play tennis as much as you do; that your level of interest is equal.

An added point.  Tennis won't cure shyness!  But a change in attitude might help.  Stop looking inward.  Look outward by taking interest in the lives of  others, and reaching out to people by being open, responsive and sensitive to their needs and concerns.  

Answer 2

try participating in a clinic, you'll find lot of people there to learn with you, find a court that is close by and be there as much as possible and you'll be known and before you know it you'll be surrounded by friends in no time

Answer 3

Starting with a friend can help inspire you (to beat them). It will also help you break the ice with people.

Answer 4

Start practising in a public court with your friend. You'll meet new people and make more friends.

Answer 5

First of all, being shy is ok. I think beginning a sport is a great way to meet new people. I was on a tennis team for four years, and we all got to know each other even when some kids were more shy. I dont think you can ever become less shy, because you are just born that way, but because you are with these kids hours a day (in high school tennis), everyone becomes comfortable with each other and is able to talk freely. It kind of like with your family, even though you are shy, you probably talk to them a lot, the same thing happens when on a team.

If you can find a friend I think that would be the best option. Then you can go to courts or lessons together and play, and getting better at tennis alone is a tough task.

Also, I wouldn't ever try to force yourself to talk more just to be more social, people can sense that and it just seems weird. I'm known as a shy kid (to people who aren't close to me), but with my friends I talk as much as anyone else would. The main way to become more social in my opinion is just to be around the same people most of the time. Thats why sports are so great, because you have practice everyday you are able to bond with them easily and everyone knows each other well.

Hope that helps, Good Luck!