How Many Days a Week Should My Child Train Tennis?
One of the most common questions parents ask is:
“How many days a week should my child be training tennis?”
It’s a great question — and the honest answer is: it depends.
Not on talent alone, but on your child’s age, stage of development, motivation, and overall balance between sport, school, and life.
Let’s break it down in a clear and realistic way.
There Is No “One-Size-Fits-All” Answer
Junior tennis development is not about rushing or copying what other children are doing. Two players of the same age can need very different training loads.
Training frequency should:
Support long-term development
Keep your child healthy and motivated
Allow room for enjoyment and improvement
More sessions don’t automatically mean faster progress.
A Simple Guideline by Age
Ages 5–7: Building the Love for Tennis
Recommended: 1–2 days per week
At this age, the main goal is fun, coordination, and confidence.
Sessions should focus on:
Basic movement skills
Hand–eye coordination
Simple rallying and games
Enjoying time on court
If your child leaves the court smiling and excited to come back, you’re doing it right.
Ages 8–10: Learning to Train
Recommended: 2–3 days per week
This is when children start to:
Understand basic technique
Rally more consistently
Learn simple tactics
Follow instructions more easily
Two to three sessions a week allows enough repetition without overload.
At this stage, group sessions are extremely valuable for learning, motivation, and social development.
Ages 10–12: Developing Habits and Consistency
Recommended: 3–4 days per week
For players showing strong interest and commitment, this is where progress becomes more noticeable.
Training may include:
Group sessions for point play and tactics
Occasional private lessons for technical refinement
Match play opportunities
However, rest days are still essential. Improvement happens between sessions, not just during them.
Quality Over Quantity Always Wins
Three well-structured sessions per week will always beat:
Five rushed sessions
Training without focus
Playing while tired or unmotivated
Look for:
Engaged coaching
Clear session goals
A positive learning environment
Appropriate group levels
These factors matter more than simply adding days.
Signs Your Child May Need More (or Less) Tennis
Consider adding another day if your child:
Asks to play more
Is excited before sessions
Recovers well physically
Shows focus and enjoyment
Consider reducing load if your child:
Seems constantly tired
Loses enthusiasm
Complains of soreness
Feels pressured or stressed
Listening to your child is one of the most important parts of their journey.
Balance Is Key
Tennis should be part of a balanced childhood, not the entire focus.
Other sports, free play, family time, and rest all contribute to:
Athletic development
Injury prevention
Mental well-being
Long-term love for the game
Many great players didn’t specialise too early — they developed well-rounded skills first.
The Long-Term View
The goal of junior tennis is not to win early — it’s to:
Build strong foundations
Develop good habits
Create resilient, confident players
Keep children enjoying the sport for years
Progress done the right way always lasts longer.
Final Thought for Parents
If you’re unsure how many days is right for your child, ask the coach. A good coach will consider:
Your child’s age
Physical development
Personality
Goals and motivation
At Our Tennis Journey, we believe the best program is one that helps children grow as players and people — at the right pace.
If you’d like guidance on the best training schedule for your child, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to help.
