Table of Contents
Walking Tennis
Walking Tennis brings the sport back within reach for players who love tennis but can no longer manage the running and quick direction changes of the full-paced game. The scoring, the rallies, the tactics all stay the same — the pace is simply brought down to walking speed.
What is Walking Tennis?
Walking Tennis keeps almost all of standard tennis intact — the same scoring system of games and sets, the same basic rules — with one key adaptation: no running, with players keeping one foot in contact with the ground at all times, in the same way race walking is judged. To help keep rallies going at a manageable pace, the ball is often allowed to bounce twice before it must be returned, and some sessions use a smaller court.
Sessions welcome complete beginners as readily as lifelong players looking for a way to keep playing.
The history of tennis
Modern lawn tennis was invented in 1873 by Major Walter Clopton Wingfield, a retired British Army officer who patented the game after developing it at his Welsh estate. He named it “Sphairistikè” (Greek for “playing ball”), though “lawn tennis” quickly became the more popular name. The first Wimbledon Championship followed in 1877, cementing the sport’s place in British sporting history.
Walking Tennis is a recent adaptation, developed independently by tennis clubs across the UK to keep the sport accessible to players managing reduced mobility. As with most walking sports, there’s no single documented founder — it grew from many local initiatives around the same time.
Who is Walking Tennis for?
Walking Tennis has found a strong following among older adults, but like every walking sport, it welcomes players of any age and fitness level. It’s a genuine fit for:
- Former players who want to keep playing without the running and sudden direction changes of full-paced tennis
- Complete beginners curious about tennis without the intensity of a fast-paced match
- Anyone managing a long-term health condition, recovering from surgery, or returning to activity after injury
- Players looking for a sociable, low-pressure way to stay active
The benefits, briefly
Walking Tennis builds fitness through sustained low-impact movement, keeps hand-eye coordination and tactical thinking sharp, and offers real social connection through regular sessions and doubles play. Read the full breakdown of Walking Tennis’s benefits
The rules, in brief
The core adaptation is simple: no running, with one foot always in contact with the ground. Beyond that, the ball is often allowed to bounce twice, and most other rules — scoring, court boundaries, serving — follow standard tennis. Read the full rules guide
Getting started
New to Walking Tennis? Find out what to expect, what to bring, and how a first session usually runs. Read the getting started guide
Find a session
Ready to find your local session? Search our directory of Walking Tennis clubs across the UK — updated regularly, free to browse, no signup required. Find Walking Tennis Near You
More Walking Tennis Guides
- Benefits of Walking Tennis
- Getting Started With Walking Tennis
- Walking Tennis Overview
- Walking Tennis Rules Explained
Explore other walking sports
- Walking Basketball
- Walking Cricket
- Walking Football
- Walking Hockey
- Walking Netball
- Walking Rounders
- Walking Rugby
- Walking Tennis
Last updated: August 2026 — This guide draws on guidance from national governing bodies where available, established club practices from across our directory, and real feedback from the walking sports community. Walking Sports Hub has been connecting players for over 5 years, with 3,500+ sessions and clubs listed across 8 walking sports. Clubs and players are welcome to submit updates or corrections. Learn more about Walking Sports Hub