With the warmer months approaching, spring and summer are a great time to dust off the tennis racquet, call a friend and get back on court.
Tennis is one of those sports many of us played when we were younger but somehow stopped making time for. The good news is that getting back into it doesn’t require joining a club, committing to weekly competitions or even remembering exactly how the scoring works.
The City of Sydney has a number of public tennis courts available for casual hire, including at Rushcutters Bay, Surry Hills, Rosebery, Alexandria, Beaconsfield and Glebe.
For Eastern Suburbs mums, Rushcutters Bay is likely to be the most convenient option on this particular list, while Surry Hills and Rosebery could also work well depending on where you live or work.
Book an hour, grab a friend and see if tennis can become part of your spring and summer routine — and perhaps something you continue all year round.
Swap One Coffee Catch-Up for Tennis
We all say it: “We need to catch up!”
Then three weeks of messages follow while everyone tries to find a free morning.
This spring, why not make the catch-up a tennis game?
Book a court after school drop-off, meet a friend for an hour and grab a coffee afterwards. You’ll still get the chat, but you’ve squeezed some exercise into the morning at the same time.
And you definitely don’t need to be good.
If neither of you has played since school, you’re probably perfectly matched.
Why Tennis Works So Well for Busy Mums
One of the best things about casual tennis is its flexibility.
There’s no season you have to commit to and no team depending on you to turn up every Saturday. You choose the court, day and time that works for you.
It can also be as energetic as you want it to be.
Play a proper singles match and you’ll get plenty of running in. Play doubles with three friends and it becomes much more social. Or forget about scoring completely and simply see how many times you can hit the ball backwards and forwards.
Tennis gets you moving while working on fitness, coordination, balance and strength — without necessarily feeling like another workout you need to tick off the list.
Make Spring the Season You Start
Spring is a particularly nice time to rediscover outdoor activities before the hottest days of summer arrive.
If you’ve been thinking about becoming more active, don’t set yourself the goal of suddenly becoming a “tennis player”.
Just book one court for one hour.
If you enjoy it, book another.
By summer you might have a regular tennis partner or even a small group of mums playing doubles every week or fortnight.
And because Sydney’s relatively mild climate makes tennis possible throughout much of the year, there’s no reason the habit has to disappear once summer finishes.
City of Sydney Tennis Courts Available for Hire
The following courts are all located within the City of Sydney Council area.
Rushcutters Bay Park
The most conveniently located option on this list for many Eastern Suburbs residents.
Where: Waratah Avenue, Rushcutters Bay NSW 2011
Hours: Monday–Sunday, 7am–10pm
Bookings are managed through Rushcutters Bay Tennis.
Prince Alfred Park – Surry Hills
Where: Jensen’s Tennis Centre, Chalmers Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Monday–Sunday, 6am–11.30pm
The long opening hours make Prince Alfred Park particularly useful if you’re trying to squeeze in an early morning or evening game.
Turruwul Park – Rosebery
Where: 115 Rothschild Avenue, Rosebery NSW 2018
Hours: Monday–Sunday, 7am–10pm
A convenient option for families towards the southern end of the Eastern Suburbs and neighbouring suburbs.
Alexandria Park
Where: Buckland Street, Alexandria NSW 2015
Hours: Monday–Sunday, 7am–10pm
Beaconsfield Park
Where: 54 Queen Street, Beaconsfield NSW 2015
Hours: Monday–Sunday, 7am–10pm
St James Park – Glebe
Where: 3 Wooley Street, Glebe NSW 2037
Hours: Monday–Sunday, 7am–10pm
Alexandria Park, Beaconsfield Park, Prince Alfred Park, Turruwul Park and St James Park are managed by City Community Tennis.
How Much Does It Cost?
City of Sydney lists casual adult court hire at:
Weekday daytime: $31.20 per hour
Evenings, weekends and public holidays: $38.30 per hour
Split between two people, that’s around $15.60 to $19.15 each.
Get four mums together for doubles and you’re looking at less than $10 each for the court at the listed rates.
Some residents may also qualify for a Tennis Access Card, providing discounted access to participating City of Sydney tennis centres.
Check current prices and eligibility when booking as fees can change.
7 Tips for Getting Back Into Tennis
1. Forget about being good
Your first goal should simply be getting the ball over the net. Don’t worry about serving properly or playing sets.
2. Find someone at your level
If you haven’t played for 15 years, find someone else who hasn’t played for 15 years. You’ll probably have much more fun.
3. Try doubles
Four friends, one court and less running. Doubles can be the perfect way to make tennis social.
4. Avoid the hottest part of summer days
As the weather warms up, early morning and late afternoon sessions can be much more comfortable.
5. Don’t buy everything immediately
You don’t need an expensive new racquet and a wardrobe of tennis clothes before your first game. Start with the basics and see whether you enjoy playing regularly.
6. Wear suitable shoes
Tennis involves quick sideways movements and changes of direction, so supportive footwear is important.
7. Make the next booking straight away
Enjoyed yourselves? Before everyone goes home, pick another date. That’s how an occasional hit can turn into a year-round habit.
Get the Kids Involved Too
Your return to tennis could also inspire the kids.
A casual court booking is a low-pressure way to introduce children to the game without immediately signing them up for lessons or a competition.
Take some balls, shorten the court for younger children and make up your own games. See who can hit the ball over the net, keep the longest rally going or hit a target.
Older kids and teenagers might even be persuaded into a family doubles match.
Don’t Stop When Summer Ends
While spring is a great excuse to start, tennis doesn’t have to be just a warm-weather activity.
Sydney’s climate means outdoor tennis can be enjoyed for much of the year, and continuing through autumn and winter can actually be more comfortable than playing on a hot summer afternoon.
Think of spring as the starting point rather than the season.
A game every week, fortnight or even once a month gives you something active and social to look forward to throughout the year.
What About Courts in the Eastern Suburbs?
This particular list covers tennis courts available for hire within the City of Sydney Council area.
There are also plenty of tennis courts throughout the Eastern Suburbs, including facilities within the Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra council areas, along with privately operated tennis centres and clubs.
We’ll cover those separately so you can find options closer to home.
Booking Details
For Alexandria Park, Beaconsfield Park, Prince Alfred Park, Turruwul Park and St James Park:
City Community Tennis
Phone: 0433 899 644
Email: info@citycommunitytennis.com.au
For Rushcutters Bay Park:
Rushcutters Bay Tennis
Phone: 02 9357 7332
Email: info.rbtc@ssmgroup.com.au
Court availability, prices and opening hours can change, so check current details when making your booking.
Ready for a Hit?
If there’s an old tennis racquet sitting somewhere in your garage, spring might be the perfect excuse to find it again.
Text a friend. Book an hour. Don’t worry about the score.
You might discover that your new favourite mums’ catch-up isn’t sitting across from each other at a café — it’s standing on opposite sides of a tennis net.
And if it becomes a regular part of your week, keep going through summer, autumn and winter.
Tennis isn’t just for summer. It’s a great way to stay active, social and outdoors all year round.
