Over the past six months, I’ve been searching for a suitable tennis academy in Valencia. After trying several options, I finally found one that works well for me, and I’d like to share my experience with everyone.
Why Choose Valencia for Learning Tennis
Valencia’s climate is absolutely perfect for outdoor sports, with over 300 sunny days per year—unlike Northern Europe where it rains constantly. Plus, the tennis culture here is strong, with courts visible everywhere from the city center to the beachfront, as you can see at Valencia Tennis Club. I was a complete beginner—just saw people playing in the park and suddenly wanted to learn.
Comparison of Several Academies
I evaluated four tennis academies in total. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Academy Name | Monthly Fee | Class Frequency | Coach Level | Court Conditions |
|---|
| Club Tenis Valencia | €120 | 2x/week | Professional | Clay courts |
| Academia Deportiva | €85 | 2x/week | Intermediate | Hard courts |
| Valencia Tennis Center | €150 | 3x/week | Former pro player | Clay + Hard |
| Escuela Municipal | €60 | 1x/week | Advanced amateur | Hard courts |
I ultimately chose Valencia Tennis Center. While more expensive, the coaches are genuinely professional. Especially for serve motion correction—the coaches at the first two academies never pointed out my issues.
Actual Class Experience
Small group classes typically have 4-6 students, with coaches grouping participants by skill level for practice. The first two months focus on fundamentals: forehand, backhand, serve, and volley. Honestly, it’s quite repetitive—just drilling the same motion over and over. But looking back now, those fundamentals are truly essential.
I had a classmate who skipped basics and went straight to matches—ended up with completely wrong form, and correcting it later was extremely painful. Starting in the third month, we began competitive drills, which is when tennis really became fun. Coaches arrange matches between students of different levels to help you gradually adapt to match pace.
Cost and Equipment Recommendations
Besides tuition, you need to consider equipment costs. My first racket was an entry-level model from Decathlon, around €80. I originally wanted to buy a €200 advanced racket, but thankfully the coach talked me out of it, explaining that beginners using high-end rackets can actually hinder technical development.
Professional tennis shoes are a must—I initially wore running shoes to class and ended up spraining my ankle once. Professional tennis shoes cost about €70-120, but they’re absolutely worth the investment. Racket strings need replacing every two months at €15 per restring. All told, my monthly tennis expenses are around €200.
Advice for Beginners
Don’t expect quick results—tennis requires long-term practice. After six months, I can only rally with players at my level; I’m still far from truly mastering the game.
I also recommend participating in academy-organized social activities. All my current tennis buddies are people I met at the academy. We often play together on weekends and sometimes attend matches like the Valencia Open, which has a fantastic atmosphere. If you’re also in Valencia and want to learn tennis, try trial classes at different academies first—most offer free trial sessions, including those associated with Valencia WTA events. Finding what suits you is most important; you don’t necessarily need to choose the most expensive option.
