Gauging Progress & Development in the Early Stages of Tennis (Why progress often happens before you can see it)
Dominic Ross-Hurst - Feb 2026
Our DRH Sports coaching programme supports players at many different stages of their tennis journey. Because of this, there is no single way to measure progress. Wwhat development looks like depends entirely on where a player is starting from and what their programme involves.
Tennis is an open skill sport and is widely recognised as one of the most technically demanding sports to master. Unlike many other activities, tennis does not allow players to simply “play the game” without tuition. For most children, it requires years of coach-led learning, repetition, and competition before they can play to a level that meets common expectations of what tennis looks like.
This difference is important to understand, especially in the early years.
Why Tennis Can Feel Slower Than Other Sports
In many team sports, the rules, space, or equipment can be easily adapted so that a game can be played almost immediately. Coaching helps players improve, but it isn’t required to participate.
Tennis works differently. To rally, serve, score, and compete—even at a basic level—players need a specific skill set. That means progress often happens under the surface before it becomes visible in rallies or matches.
It’s very common for children who start at age four, five, or six to attend one group session per week for several terms or even a few years. Even by age seven, some may still not be able to rally consistently from the back of the court—and that is entirely normal. This is not a failure of the player, the programme, or the coaching. It is simply the nature of tennis.
The Changing Landscape: Courts, Balls & Expectations
Another key factor is that the game itself keeps changing.
As children move through:
As the court gets bigger, the ball travels faster, and the physical and technical demands increase. Each transition makes the game harder, not easier. So while a player may be developing excellent skills, it can appear, particularly to the untrained eye, that progress has stalled. In reality, new skills are being added, but the environment keeps resetting the challenge.
What Really Impacts Progress?
Player development is closely linked to what their programme includes.
Players who, train multiple times per week, add individual lessons to refine technique, compete regularly in appropriate environments, will naturally progress faster than those attending a single weekly group session.
This isn’t about pressure—it’s about recognising that volume in = skills out. When a player’s interest, motivation, and commitment grow, it often becomes appropriate to expand their programme accordingly.
Just as importantly, different environments teach different parts of the game:
None replace the others—they complement each other.
Player-Led Development Lasts Longer
One of the most important principles in long-term development is that a player-led journey always lasts longer than one driven primarily by a parent or coach.
A player-led programme means the player is the driving force—their enjoyment, curiosity, and motivation shape the pathway. When a journey becomes too adult-led, it often burns out far earlier than anyone intends. Our objective is always to expose players to opportunities when they are ready, not before.
Growing (and Protecting) a Love for the Game
At DRH Sports, our first priority is ensuring players develop the skillset needed to keep tennis as part of their lives for many years, not just the next term. But skill development must never come at the expense of enjoyment.
A genuine love for the game is the single most important attribute to protect. When players enjoy tennis, they:
Highly intensive training and competition at very young ages may accelerate certain skills, but it can also shorten a player’s tennis lifespan. Fun and highly intense programmes rarely sit comfortably together for players under 12.
A Quick Guide for Parents: Gauging Progress
Before assessing progress, it’s important to ensure expectations are clear and realistic.
Ask yourself:
Remember: player enjoyment is always the most important indicator.
Helpful Questions to Ask
When gauging development, consider:
Once you’ve reflected on these, we always encourage an open conversation with your child’s coach. Because progress in tennis isn’t always immediate—but with the right understanding, it’s always happening.
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