Walking Tennis Rules Explained

Walking Tennis keeps the vast majority of standard tennis intact, with a small set of adaptations that bring the pace down to walking speed. This guide covers the core principles shared by most Walking Tennis sessions.

The core principle: no running

Players must keep one foot in contact with the ground at all times — the same standard used to judge race walking. Fast, purposeful walking (sometimes called a “stride”) is encouraged, but a deliberate run to reach the ball means the point is lost. As with most self-officiated club sport, this relies on players being fair and honest with each other rather than a strict umpire’s call.

The double bounce

To help keep rallies manageable at walking pace, the ball is often allowed to bounce twice before it must be returned, rather than the single bounce used in standard tennis. This gives players enough time to reach the ball on foot rather than needing to run.

What happens if a player runs?

Walking Tennis relies heavily on players being fair and honest with each other, since sessions are typically self-officiated rather than umpired. A deliberate run to reach the ball generally means the point is lost, but most clubs take a relaxed approach in practice — a fast, purposeful walking stride (sometimes informally called a “stride”) is encouraged and not usually treated as a violation, while an obvious sprint would be. Because most Walking Tennis is social and recreational rather than competitive, the overall emphasis tends to be on keeping rallies going and the game enjoyable, rather than strict enforcement of the walking rule.

Scoring

Scoring follows the same structure as standard tennis — points, games, and sets — so anyone familiar with regular tennis will recognise it immediately. Some clubs use a simplified “sudden death” deuce (first point wins, rather than requiring a two-point lead) to keep matches moving within a booked court slot.

Court and equipment

Walking Tennis can be played on a full-size court or a smaller one, depending on the venue and the club’s preference. Standard tennis rackets and balls are typically used, and doubles is generally the more popular and sociable format, including “American doubles” (two against one) when numbers are uneven.

Rules can vary by club

Because Walking Tennis has grown through many different clubs and community groups independently, small variations in bounce rules, court size, and scoring format exist from one session to the next. Always check with your specific club before your first game.

Find a session

Ready to try it for yourself? Find a Walking Tennis session near you and check their specific rules when you arrive. Find Walking Tennis Near You

FAQ

Is there an official Walking Tennis rulebook?

Not a single official one — Walking Tennis has grown through many independent tennis clubs and community groups, each developing broadly similar adaptations of the standard game. The core principles (walking rather than running, and often a double bounce) are consistent almost everywhere, but exact court size and scoring format can vary from club to club, so it’s worth checking with your specific session before your first game.

Why is the ball allowed to bounce twice?

The double bounce gives players enough time to reach the ball on foot rather than needing to run, which is the key adaptation that makes tennis playable at a walking pace. Without it, the fast, single-bounce rhythm of standard tennis would make the walking rule almost impossible to follow.

Does scoring work the same as normal tennis?

Yes — Walking Tennis generally follows the same scoring structure as standard tennis, using points, games, and sets, so anyone familiar with regular tennis will recognise it immediately. Some clubs use a simplified “sudden death” deuce, where the first point wins rather than requiring a two-point lead, to help keep matches moving within a booked court slot.

Is doubles more common than singles?

Generally, yes — doubles tends to be the more popular and sociable format in Walking Tennis, and many clubs use “American doubles” (two players against one) when numbers don’t divide evenly, which keeps everyone involved even with an odd number of players.

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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

Walking Tennis – Rules

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