How To Find Hitting Partners
(And Play More Tennis)
For many people, playing tennis more often comes down to one simple problem: they don’t have anyone to hit with.
Finding courts, time, and equipment can be challenging. But even when those pieces are in place, tennis is hard to sustain without a regular playing partner. And when you do manage to find someone, the fit isn’t always right. Differences in skill level can make it tough to commit to regular hitting sessions without it starting to feel like a waste of time.
Some of the most common ways of meeting players lean toward formal leagues and long-term commitments. Others are more casual, but rely on chance encounters or personal connections that don’t always lead to quality matches at the right skill level. The result is plenty of false starts and far fewer enjoyable hits than most players would like.
This article focuses on practical ways to solve that problem. The goal isn’t to push you toward competition or structure you may not want. It’s to help you find people to play with in the first place, using tools and approaches that make it easier to connect with players at a similar level.
We’ll look at some of my favorite options, including apps, public courts, and group lessons, as well as a few often-ignored approaches that are worth exploring. Along the way, I’ll explain what each does well, where they fall short, and how to use them more effectively.
If you’ve ever thought, “I’d play more if I just had someone to hit with,” this guide is for you.
Apps to Find Players
If you don’t already have people to hit with, apps are often the fastest way to expand your reach. They remove the need for introductions from your existing network, let you see who’s nearby, and provide at least some signal on skill level and availability.
Which app works best matters less than whether people in your area are actually using it. In some places, one platform clearly dominates. In others, you may need to try more than one before you get a sense of where players are active. Here are a few of my favorites.
TennisPAL
TennisPAL is one of the more straightforward apps for finding people to hit with. The focus is simple: connect with nearby tennis players, see basic info about their skill level and availability, and start a conversation. It also helps you discover nearby tennis courts, making it easier to scout locations to meet up with your new hitting partners.
PlayYourCourt
PlayYourCourt is a platform that helps tennis players of all ages and skill levels improve and enjoy the game by connecting them with certified professional coaches for lessons at any local court you choose, without needing a club membership. However, they also offer tools to find new partners to play with, which is an underrated feature that’s easy to overlook. Coverage is solid, though active users vary by location.
UTR Sports
UTR Sports is built around the Universal Tennis Rating, a single, objective skill-rating system that measures players on a 1.00 to 16.50 scale regardless of age, gender, or location. One of the best parts is that you can discover players of a similar level to play with or compete against. If level matching has been a pain point, UTR is one of the most useful ways to find opponents or hitting partners, since player ratings directly correlate with match results against other players on the platform.
Playtomic
Playtomic offers a mobile app that helps make it easier for racket sports participants, especially padel, tennis, and pickleball, to find and book courts, connect with other players, join leagues and events, and more. Its presence is stronger in Europe, but it’s global, so it’s worth checking whether someone is available to hit nearby.
Meetup
Meetup isn’t designed specifically for tennis, but it can work when there’s an active local group that meets regularly. It’s more common in cities, where there are enough players to sustain recurring events. Meetup is less about finding one person to hit with and more about connecting with a group of like-minded players who want to play regularly. How useful it is depends on the organizers and how consistently people show up.
Apps are best thought of as a discovery tool. They help you meet players you would not otherwise cross paths with, but the results depend heavily on local usage.
Where Apps Tend to Fall Short
The biggest limitation of apps isn’t access, but density and follow-through. In suburban or rural areas, the number of active users can be small, leading to fewer opportunities to connect with players, slower responses, or long stretches with little to no activity.
Even in busier areas, it’s common for conversations to stall or for a first hit to be the last one. That doesn’t mean apps aren’t useful, but it is worth being aware of how results will likely depend on local adoption.
In areas where a lot of players are active on the same platform, apps can be very effective and, in some cases, may be all you need to find regular hitting partners. In places with fewer users, results tend to be hit-or-miss.
Public Courts
Most players think of public courts as places to play, not places to meet people. In reality, they can be a solid way to find other players, especially if apps aren’t active where you live.
That said, not all public courts are busy. Some are lively, others are quiet, and many fall somewhere in between. However, even when traffic is light, establishing a repeat presence can still pay off over time.
Ultimately, the biggest advantage of public courts is visibility. You can see who’s playing, how they play, and whether a player’s level looks compatible before saying a word. That removes a lot of the guesswork and makes conversations easier when they do happen.
Showing Up With a Purpose
Showing up alone can feel awkward if everyone else is hitting with a partner. Having a simple reason to be on court makes a big difference.
If there’s a backboard or wall, use it. Many public courts have them, and while it’s not glamorous, it’s a practical way to get hitting time in while making yourself visible to other players.
Another easy option is to bring a basket of balls and work on your serve. It keeps you active and improving your game, gives you a reason to be there, and signals that you’re there to play.
A ball machine is a more expensive option, but it works for the same reason. It gives you structured practice time, and it often becomes a natural conversation starter, as many players are curious about them and tend to ask questions, which may be the “in” you need.
All of these approaches increase your opportunities for finding a hitting partner without forcing interactions.
Starting a Conversation
Some connections happen quickly. A simple question, a comment about gear, or a brief exchange between sets can turn into a longer conversation and, occasionally, an immediate offer to hit.
More often, those moments happen after you’ve been around for a while. Familiarity helps, but it doesn’t mean you can’t start a conversation when the opportunity presents itself. Cold approaches aren’t a bad idea; they’re just unpredictable. At the end of the day, being consistently present increases the likelihood that the timing feels natural.
Posting a Note Can Still Work
Many public courts allow postings on bulletin boards, fences, or sign-in areas. A simple “looking to hit” note with a general skill level and contact info can still be effective.
The court doesn’t need to be packed for this to work. Even if only a handful of players pass through during a given week, that’s still exposure you wouldn’t get otherwise. It’s low effort, very local, and often reaches players who aren’t using apps at all.
Public courts aren’t usually the quickest path, and they don’t come with guarantees that you’ll find a hitting partner. However, they do give you repeated exposure to other players, which is often what turns a few casual conversations into actual court time.
Group Lessons & Events
Group lessons and events offer a middle ground between apps and public courts. They provide just enough structure to get players on court together without requiring long-term commitments, and they’re often a reliable way to meet players who are actively looking to play.
Clubs, sporting facilities, or local parks and recreation departments typically run these types of group sessions, and the format itself shapes how you’re likely to make a few new connections.
Clubs & Sporting Facilities
Tennis clubs and sporting facilities usually organize group lessons according to experience from the start. Players sign up within a defined skill level, and instructors are quick to ensure you’re playing at the right level, suggesting different groups if your skill level isn’t an ideal match.
After a session or two, it will usually become apparent which players in the group you might enjoy hitting with outside the lessons. You also know they’re already making time for tennis regularly, which makes it natural to suggest hitting with them separately if their schedule allows.
Even when membership is required, many clubs offer guest access, short-term programs, or seasonal lesson blocks. That can be enough to meet a few potential hitting partners without committing long-term.
Parks & Recreation Programs
Parks and recreation programs tend to be more open and accessible. These often include group lessons, clinics, or adult programs that serve a wider range of players.
As a result, skill levels can be broader than at private clubs, but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy the environment. Through drills and point play, it will become clear fairly quickly who you’d line up well with.
If you’re not sure where to look, your town or city’s website is the best place to start for these types of programs. Parks and recreation departments typically publish seasonal guides online, often under sections such as “Recreation,” “Adult Programs,” or “Tennis.”
Open Play
Open play is less instructional and more about organized hitting or match play during set times. These sessions are often advertised as “open play,” “drop-in tennis,” or “adult open tennis,” and they’re a great way to meet new players locally.
Clubs, sporting facilities, and parks and recreation departments are a great place to start when looking for open play, but it’s also common at public courts with a formal clubhouse or some level of on-site management. In those cases, organizers may post about it on a bulletin board or the facility’s website. Of course, it never hurts to show your face and ask anyone who’s working there directly.
Because open play puts multiple people on court at once, it can be an efficient way to meet other players without the pressure of setting up a one-on-one hit. It also makes it easier to see who you’d want to play with again outside the session, as skill levels will be readily apparent.
As a source for hitting partners, group hitting is dependable. It puts you on court with other players consistently and gives you repeated chances to find people you’d actually want to play with again.
Ask A Local Pro
If you’re stuck and the usual options aren’t producing results, a local tennis pro can be one of the most effective connectors you might be overlooking.
Pros see a steady flow of players across different levels, and they’ll have a sense for who shows up consistently, who’s looking for more court time, and who might be open to hitting outside of lessons or programs. In many cases, they’re already making introductions, so you just have to ask. It’s all about tapping into an existing network that most players never think to use.
Why This Works
Unlike apps or public courts, pros have context. They’ve seen people play, which gives them a unique advantage in pairing hitting partners.
They’ll also periodically hear that players are looking for more people to hit with. That makes your request normal, not awkward.
You Don’t Need To Take A Lesson First
This part is helpful to keep in mind. You don’t need to book a private lesson to reach out. Many pros are listed on:
- Club or sporting facility websites
- Parks and recreation program pages
- Tennis association website or directory listings
A short message asking whether they know players at a similar level who might want to hit is often enough. Some pros won’t respond, but many will, especially if they’re already involved in group programs or community tennis, where connecting people is part of the role.
Of course, if you find an instructor who looks promising, the benefit of scheduling a group or private lesson with them is that they can see you hit, which will help them make a better pairing, but it’s not required.
What To Say
Keep it simple and specific. For example:
Hi [Instructor Name],
My name is [Your Name]. I’m a local player living in [City/Town] looking to find a few people to hit with casually. I play around a [general level or rating] and usually get on court [days/times].
If you’re open to it, I was wondering if you know of anyone who might be looking for something similar. I’d really appreciate any introductions or suggestions you might have.
Thanks so much for your time.
Best,
[Your Name]
That gives them enough information to come up with a few names without putting pressure on the conversation. When it comes to your rating or skill level, try to avoid inflating it. Being honest will only increase the likelihood that they pair you with the right level player who’s a good match.
Where This Tends To Work Best
This approach works best when the instructor has seen you play and knows your level first-hand. That context makes it easier for them to confidently suggest specific players.
Furthermore, you’re more likely to get a direct introduction if you’ve taken lessons with them in the past or if you play at courts connected to a facility where they’re involved.
Even when a direct introduction isn’t possible, most pros can still point you toward a group lesson, open play session, or program where meeting compatible players is easier.
Post Online
Another option is simply putting it out there yourself.
Not every player looking for a hitting partner is using an app or showing up at the same courts you frequent. Some are exploring local postings and online community spaces as avenues to find someone to play with.
Websites like Craigslist, neighborhood platforms like Nextdoor, and local Facebook groups can be practical ways to reach players, especially if you’re looking for something casual and close to your home.
Like apps, activity varies by location, but it only takes one response to your post to make it worthwhile.
Where To Post
A few places worth posting to find a hitting partner.
Craigslist
- Go to your local Craigslist
- Look for the “Community” section
- Post an ad under “Activities”
- Search a local tennis or neighborhood Facebook group. For example, if you lived in Connecticut, you might look for groups like:
- Connecticut Tennis
- Tennis Players of [Your Town/County]
- USTA Connecticut” or “New England Tennis
- [Town Name] Community
- [Town Name] Neighbors
- Join the group
- Post to the group
- You can also post to Facebook Marketplace under “Miscellaneous,” just like you would on Craigslist.
Nexdoor
- Download the Nexdoor app
- Post to ‘Your neighborhood’ or include ‘Nearby neighborhoods’ to broaden your reach.
- Explore ‘Groups’ and post if you find one that’s relevant, or create your own group to meet new people nearby.
What Makes These Posts Effective
Specific and straightforward works best. Posts that tend to get responses:
- Clearly state you’re local
- Give an honest sense of your skill level
- Mention when and where you usually play and what kind of hitting you’re looking for
You don’t need to overexplain. A short post that sets expectations is often enough to filter out poor fits. Here’s a sample post:
Local adult player looking for a casual hitting partner near [City/Town]. I play around a [general level] and usually hit [time/days]. Mostly interested in rallying or light point play.
A Quick Note On Safety
Because these spaces (especially Craigslist) are informal, use common sense. Meet at public courts, keep communication straightforward, and don’t feel obligated to move forward if something doesn’t feel right.
Posting online isn’t flashy, but it’s another straightforward way to let nearby players know you’re looking to hit.
Getting Clear On What You Want
Before trying to find new players to hit with, it helps to be clear about what you’re actually looking for in a hitting partner.
Some players want to get out for a casual rally every now and then. Others want to play points, sets, or the occasional match. Some are flexible with timing, while others need something predictable to make it work. None of these are better or worse, but mismatches in expectations are often what cause a promising connection to fade quickly.
Being clear with yourself makes it easier to communicate with others. It also helps you decide which opportunities are worth pursuing and which ones probably aren’t a great fit.
A few questions worth answering for yourself:
- What is an honest assessment of your skill level?
- Are you looking to hit, or do you want to play points/matches?
- Do you want something casual and flexible, or scheduled?
- How important is skill level versus just getting on court?
- Are you open to rotating partners, or hoping to find one or two consistent people?
You don’t need perfect answers, and they may change over time. The goal is simply to have a rough sense of what you’re aiming for.
That clarity makes everything else easier. It leads to better conversations, fewer false starts, and a much higher chance that a first hit turns into something you actually want to repeat.
A Few Things To Keep In Mind
When you put yourself out there to find new people to hit with, it won’t always lead to a regular hitting partner, and that’s okay. Some connections will remain casual. Schedules won’t always line up. Levels might not be the right match. That doesn’t mean the approach didn’t work. It means you’re still widening your network of players.
It’s also worth remembering that playing at your exact level isn’t the only productive option. Hitting with someone a level or two down can still be valuable, whether you’re working on consistency, patterns, or simply getting more time on court. In many cases, playing down can help keep tennis part of your routine rather than something you do once in a while.
And for players who eventually want more structure, there are formal paths like leagues and tournament play. Those options aren’t for everyone, but they’re available when the time feels right.
Ultimately, the goal is to create enough opportunities to meet new players so that playing tennis becomes easier to sustain. Over time, a few of those connections tend to stick, and that’s usually all it takes.
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