You’ve got your racket. You’ve watched enough YouTube videos to have a decent forehand. And you’re actually ready to play.
There’s just one problem: you can’t find anyone to hit with.
Sure, there’s that WhatsApp group where someone occasionally posts “Anyone free Saturday?” at 9pm Friday night. There’s the guy at work who said he plays but never follows up. And there’s the time you showed up at public courts hoping to jump in, only to watch two 5.0 players destroy each other for two hours while you awkwardly stretched in the corner.
If this sounds familiar, you’re in good company. Despite tennis hitting record participation numbers – 25.7 million Americans played in 2024, the highest ever – finding consistent, compatible partners remains surprisingly difficult.
The good news? You’re about to discover seven methods that actually work. Not theoretical advice or “just join a club” platitudes, but real strategies people use to find partners they can count on.
Why the right partner actually matters
Before we get tactical, let’s be honest about something: playing with the wrong partner sucks the fun right out of tennis.
Play with someone too advanced and you’re chasing balls all afternoon, apologizing after every shank. Play with someone too beginner and you’re basically a human ball machine, hitting softly enough that you’re not even breaking a sweat.
But find someone at your level who shows up on time and actually wants to play? That changes everything.
Real rallies with compatible opponents develop your game more than running sprints chasing balls or hitting softly to weaker players.
Enjoyment means you’ll play more often. Consistent play builds skill faster than sporadic sessions, no matter how intense.
Most recreational players quit not because they don’t like tennis, but because they can’t find anyone to play with consistently.
One good partner leads to their network, which leads to more options. Within months you could have five to ten reliable playing options.
Method 1: Tennis matchmaking platforms
Let’s start with what works fastest in 2026: purpose-built platforms for finding tennis partners.
The old way of finding partners – showing up at courts and hoping – still exists. But it’s inefficient. You waste afternoons driving to courts only to find they’re empty, or full of players way above or below your level.
Modern matchmaking platforms solve this by letting you filter before you leave your house.
Korta (The Modern Approach)
Korta is built specifically for this problem, and it shows. The platform uses a swipe-based interface – see a player’s profile, skill level, and location, swipe right if you want to play. It’s straightforward in a way that traditional tennis clubs and Facebook groups aren’t.
ELO rating system
Skill levels aren’t self-reported guesses. The platform tracks match results and adjusts ratings accordingly. No more “I’m a 3.5” players who are actually enthusiastic 2.5s.
Location filtering
See only players within your chosen radius – 1km if you’re picky, 100km if you’re willing to drive for the right match.
Real-time chat
No email back-and-forth. See someone you want to play with? Message them, set a time, show up.
Match tracking
Keep records of who you’ve played, results, and stats. Useful if you like data, less intrusive if you don’t.
Best for: Anyone who wants results this week, not this quarter. Digital nomads and expats especially – Korta works globally, which matters if you’re bouncing between cities.
Other options worth knowing
| Platform | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|
TennisPAL | Large user base in major U.S. cities | Free (premium available) |
Tennis Round | Automated matching via email | $6.99/month |
PlayYourCourt | Lessons + student matching | Varies by location |
Making apps actually work
Pro tip: Be honest about your level. Nothing torpedoes a potential partnership faster than showing up and being wildly off from what you advertised. If you’re not sure, round down. It’s easier to be pleasantly surprising than disappointingly bad.
Fill out your entire profile. Photo, availability, what you’re looking for (competitive matches vs. casual rallies), preferred courts. Empty profiles get ignored.
Meet at public courts first. Standard internet safety stuff, but worth saying: public courts, daylight hours, for the first few sessions with anyone new.
Method 2: Tennis clubs
Clubs are the traditional answer, and they work – if you’ve got the budget and timeline for it.
What you’re actually paying for
When you join a tennis club, you’re not just paying for court access. You’re paying for infrastructure: regular events, organized leagues, a built-in community of people who also play tennis.
The good clubs run weekly mixers, ladder leagues, round-robins, social events. Show up consistently and you’ll meet players at every level. The scheduling happens automatically through the club’s system, which solves the “finding partners” problem through sheer volume.
Typical club costs
Expect $50-300/month depending on location and facility quality, plus initiation fees at the fancier spots that can hit $500 or more.
Finding the right club
Start with Google (“tennis clubs near me”), then cross-reference with the USTA facility directory to see which ones are legitimate operations versus someone’s backyard court with delusions of grandeur.
Visit during peak times before joining. Watch who’s playing. If everyone’s a 4.5+ tournament player and you’re working on consistent serves, you’ll struggle to find compatible matches.
Actually making connections
Joining doesn’t automatically get you partners – you still need to show up.
Say yes to everything the first month. Clinics, mixers, the potluck dinner where everyone brings something. Be visible.
Group lessons are your best entry point. You’ll meet 6-10 people at your exact level in one session. Exchange numbers with anyone you click with.
Ladder leagues force interaction. You’re matched with people close to your ranking, and someone has to reach out to schedule.
Talk to staff. The front desk and teaching pros play matchmaker more often than you’d think. Tell them you’re looking for partners.
Method 3: Social media and online communities
Social media for finding tennis partners sounds sketchy until you realize it’s just… how people find everything now.
Facebook Groups
Search “[Your City] Tennis” and you’ll find groups with anywhere from 50 to 5,000 members. Join the active ones (check recent posts, not just member counts).
When you post, be specific:
“3.5 player looking for hitting partners in West LA. Available Tuesday/Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Prefer rallies and practice over competitive matches. I have balls and can drive. Courts near Cheviot Hills preferred.”
That gets responses. “Anyone want to play?” gets ignored.
r/10s is specifically for recreational tennis and has 100k+ members who actually show up. r/tennis is bigger but more focused on the pro game.
Your city’s subreddit (r/NYC, r/LosAngeles, etc.) usually has weekly “meetup” threads where people post tennis sessions.
Note: Reddit hates obvious self-promotion. Engage with the community first – answer questions, share tips, participate. Then make your partner request. The 90/10 rule applies: 90% giving value, 10% asking for things.
Instagram and Meetup.com
Use location tags and hashtags (#BaliTennis, #SingaporeTennis) to find local players. Most cities have tennis micro-influencers with 1-10K followers who post about local courts and events.
On Meetup.com, search “tennis” + your city. If there’s no active group in your area, start one. It’s surprisingly easy – create a recurring weekly meetup at a public court, post it, and see who shows up. You only need 3-4 people to get started.
Method 4: Group lessons and clinics
Group lessons solve two problems simultaneously: you improve, and you meet people at your exact level.
Why this works
Instructors group students by skill, so you’re automatically matched with compatible players. Most clinics include rally time where you rotate partners – perfect opportunity to exchange numbers with anyone you enjoy hitting with.
Good teaching pros notice who plays well together and actively connect students. Tell your instructor you’re looking for regular partners and they’ll help facilitate.
Cost comparison
Group lessons run $20-40 per session versus $60-100+ for private instruction. If you’re going to pay for lessons anyway, might as well get partners out of it.
Building connections from lessons
The same people attend weekly. Familiarity breeds friendships naturally over time.
”Anyone want to stick around for 30 minutes of practice?” This is how groups form.
Once you have 4-5 people you click with, coordinate games outside of lessons.
Teaching pros know their students well. Ask who else is looking for partners at your level.
Method 5: USTA leagues and tournaments
If you want consistent competitive matches with players at your level, USTA League Tennis is the gold standard.
How USTA leagues work
Teams organized by NTRP level (2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0+). Matches scheduled weekly during the season. Team format means you instantly have 8-12 practice partners at your exact level.
Most teams practice 1-2 times per week outside of matches. You’ll quickly build a roster of regular partners.
Get your NTRP rating
Self-rate at usta.com or get rated through matches. Not sure of your level? Take our quiz.
Search for teams on TennisLink
Find teams in your area that match your level and schedule.
Contact captains
Most welcome new players. The team format means you’ll have instant practice partners.
Tournaments for networking
Even if you lose badly, tournaments let you meet competitive players. Warm up with opponents, exchange contact info with anyone you enjoyed playing, network at the social events.
Most tournaments have post-match socials where everyone’s relaxed and open to future games. It’s the tennis equivalent of bonding over shared suffering.
Method 6: Public courts (the old-school approach)
Public courts are free and often full of players. You just need a strategy.
The regular strategy
Pick 1-2 courts near you. Visit at the same day/time every week. Become a familiar face.
| Time | Who’s There | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 6-8am weekdays | The serious early birds | Committed players, often higher level |
| 5-7pm weekdays | After-work crowd | Mixed levels, busy but social |
| 8-11am weekends | Recreational players | Casual hits, most diverse crowd |
After a few weeks, you’ll recognize the regulars. They’ll recognize you. Eventually someone will say “Want to hit?” or you’ll approach them during a water break.
Court etiquette matters
Know posted time limits (usually 60 min singles, 90 min doubles when waiting)
Bring balls to share. Nobody likes the person who always shows up empty-handed
Be friendly to everyone. Court karma is real – today’s stranger is next month’s partner
Method 7: Your existing network
Sometimes the best partners are people you already know.
Post on your personal social media:
“Starting to play tennis regularly, looking for hitting partners. Anyone play or know someone who does? [Your city]”
You’ll be surprised how many “hidden tennis players” emerge. That quiet colleague? Turns out they’re a 4.0. Your neighbor who you’ve never really talked to? Played college tennis.
Ask at work, in your gym, in your neighborhood group. Propose a company tennis league or regular social games.
The “friend of a friend” strategy compounds fast. One partner leads to their network, which leads to their network. Within a month you could have five to ten options.
Choosing your approach
Not all methods work equally well for everyone.
Use Korta or similar platforms. Filter, match, play this week.
USTA leagues. Structured matches against rated opponents with built-in practice partners.
Tennis clubs. You’ll pay more but get a full social network and infrastructure.
Public courts + social media. Completely free, requires more effort and consistency.
Start with personal network or group lessons. Less intimidating than competitive clubs or leagues.
Understanding your skill level
Before you can find partners at your level, you need to know what that level is. The NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program) system runs from 1.0 (absolute beginner) to 7.0 (touring professional).
Beginner: Can rally slowly with other beginners. Obvious stroke weaknesses.
Beginner+: Learning to judge where the ball is going. Short rallies of slow pace.
Advanced Beginner: Fairly consistent on medium-paced shots. Can place shots with moderate success.
Intermediate: Stroke dependability with directional control. Starting aggressive net play.
Intermediate-Advanced: Dependable strokes on both sides. Uses variety effectively.
Advanced: Mastered power and spin. Sound footwork, controls depth, varies game plan.
Elite: Good shot anticipation, has weapons, regularly hits winners.
Most recreational players are 3.0-4.0. Don’t be discouraged if you’re a 2.5 – that’s completely normal for casual players.
Not sure of your level? Take our interactive tennis rating quiz for a precise assessment based on USTA guidelines.
Red flags to avoid
Not all partnerships work out. Watch for:
Safety issues
Wants to meet at isolated courts initially, reluctant to video chat first, makes you uncomfortable.
Chronic unreliability
Three last-minute cancellations in a row means move on. Your time is valuable.
Major skill mismatches
Someone rated themselves 3.5 but they’re clearly a 2.0 (or sandbagging 4.5).
Bad attitudes
Complains constantly, blames everything, throws tantrums. You don’t owe them your time.
Being a good partner yourself
The fastest way to find great partners? Be one.
Show up on time. If you say 10am, arrive at 9:55.
Follow through. If you schedule a game, show up. Must cancel? Give 24 hours notice minimum.
Bring balls and rotate. Don’t always be the person asking “did you bring balls?”
Be positive. Compliment good shots. Be encouraging. Nobody likes playing with someone who sulks.
Give honest effort. Even in practice rallies, try. Half-speed everything makes for boring tennis.
Just start
You now have seven proven methods. Information without action is just entertainment.
Create a profile on Korta.club. Join 2-3 Facebook groups for tennis in your city.
Connect with 5-10 players on your chosen platform. Make one post in a Facebook group. Visit a public court during peak time.
Schedule your first game with a new partner. Attend one group clinic. Build a roster of 3-5 potential partners.
The hardest part is starting. Once you have your first reliable partner, the rest comes easier.
Takes 3 minutes to set up. You could be playing this weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know my skill level?
Read the NTRP descriptions in this guide and honestly assess where you fit. For beginners (less than 3 months playing), you're probably 2.0-2.5. Regular recreational players are typically 3.0-3.5. League players are usually 3.5-4.5. You can also take our interactive tennis rating quiz for a precise assessment.
What if there are no partners in my area?
Start your own group via local Facebook or Nextdoor. Travel to a larger nearby city once a week. Use platforms like Korta to find players you didn't know existed. Join online communities for advice while building local connections.
How do I politely decline someone?
Try something like: 'Thanks for reaching out! I think we might be at different skill levels—I'd be up for casual rallying sometime, but for competitive matches I'm looking for people closer to my level. Know anyone else around 3.5?' Honesty with kindness works.
Should I play with people better or worse than me?
Mix it up: 60% at your level, 30% better than you, 10% helping beginners. Playing only better players gets demoralizing. Playing only worse players prevents growth.
How much does finding tennis partners cost?
Free options include apps (basic tiers), public courts, social media, and your personal network. Low cost ($0-50/month) covers app premium features, group lessons, and USTA fees. Higher cost ($50-300+/month) includes club memberships and private lessons. Most players find reliable partners using only free methods.
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