Adult Tennis at Rushcutters Bay Park

Group coaching, social play, and private lessons — all levels welcome, right here in Rushcutters Bay, serving Darlinghurst, Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, Edgecliff, and Paddington.

Whether you’re picking up a racquet for the first time, getting back into a sport you used to love, or simply looking for a regular activity that’s social and active, there’s a program here for you. All adult coaching options are open to any ability level no experience required.

Adult Tennis at Rushcutters Bay Park

Group coaching, social play, and private lessons — all levels welcome, right here in Rushcutters Bay, serving Darlinghurst, Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, Edgecliff, and Paddington.

Whether you’re picking up a racquet for the first time, getting back into a sport you used to love, or simply looking for a regular activity that’s social and active, there’s a program here for you. All adult coaching options are open to any ability level no experience required.

Adult Group Tennis Lessons All Levels Welcome

Small-group coaching for adults who want to learn, improve, and play consistently in a structured, friendly environment.

Whether you’ve never held a racquet, stepped away from the game years ago and want to return, or you’re a regular player looking to sharpen your technique, there is a session designed for you.

Each lesson is led by a qualified Tennis Australia coach and kept small enough that you receive real, individual feedback , not just general group tips. Sessions are offered at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, with multiple time slots available throughout the week to fit a busy schedule.

This program suits adults who want to:

  • Learn tennis properly in a welcoming, non-intimidating setting
  • Meet other people in the Rushcutters Bay, Darlinghurst, and Potts Point area who enjoy sport
  • Improve their game with structured coaching rather than just rallying around
  • Build a regular weekly activity that is both physically active and genuinely social

You don’t need to own a racquet. You don’t need a partner. And there’s no fitness benchmark to meet before you start.

What Is Adult Group Tennis and Who Is It For?

Adult Group Tennis is a coached program where a small number of adults share court time under the guidance of a qualified Tennis Australia coach. It sits between private lessons (one-on-one with a coach) and casual social play — you get structured coaching and genuine skill development, in a group setting that is more affordable and more social than individual sessions.

At Rushcutters Bay Park Tennis Centre, sessions are offered at three levels:

Beginner (60 minutes) — up to 6 players per class For adults who are new to tennis or returning after a significant break. Sessions cover racquet grip, court positioning, making consistent contact with the ball, and basic serving. The focus is on building confidence and making each session genuinely enjoyable.

Intermediate (60 minutes) — up to 6 players per class For adults who can sustain a rally and are ready to develop consistency, court movement, and basic tactical understanding. A solid step up from beginner without the pressure of advanced match play.

Advanced (60 or 90 minutes) For adults who play regularly and want to refine technique, develop shot selection, and work on tactical decision-making. Both 60-minute and 90-minute sessions are available.

Not sure which level suits you? Call us on (02) 9357 7332 and we’ll point you in the right direction.

What Our Players Say

Why Adult Group Tennis at Rushcutters Bay Park Works

Small groups mean real, individual feedback. Beginner and intermediate sessions are capped at a small number of players per class so your coach can watch your grip, correct your footwork, and give you specific observations every session — not just run a general drill rotation from one end of the court.

Levels are kept separate, so you are always in the right group. Beginner sessions are genuinely for beginners. You won’t be out-paced by players who have been competing for years. Advanced sessions are structured for players who already have a solid foundation and want to continue developing. The schedule is organised so you can find your level and progress through it at your own pace.

It builds into a real community. Many adults who start in the beginner group go on to play Social Tennis and eventually join the Night League competition. There’s always a natural next step — and familiar faces along the way. This is a consistent weekly program, not a drop-in class.

The location makes it easy. Rushcutters Bay Park Tennis Centre is right in the heart of the inner east, easily accessible from Darlinghurst, Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, Edgecliff, and Paddington. The facility has been fully refurbished and includes a café on-site.

Find Your Level — Adult Group Session Times

Beginner

New to tennis, or returning after a long break. Sessions focus on the fundamentals: racquet grip, court positioning, making consistent contact with the ball, and basic serving.

📅 Monday: 6:00pm 📅 Tuesday: 6:00pm · 7:00pm 📅 Wednesday: 5:30pm · 6:00pm · 7:00pm 📅 Thursday: 7:00pm

 

Intermediate

Can sustain a rally and ready to develop consistency, movement, and court tactics.

📅 Monday: 7:00pm 📅 Tuesday: 6:00pm · 7:00pm 📅 Thursday: 6:00pm 📅 Saturday: 11:00am

 

Advanced

Plays regularly and ready to refine technique, shot selection, and tactical decision-making.

📅 Tuesday: 5:30pm (90 min) 📅 Wednesday: 6:30pm (90 min) 📅 Thursday: 6:30pm (60 min)

Not sure which group is right for you? Call (02) 9357 7332 and we’ll advise you directly — it’s a short conversation.

Meet Our Coaches:

All coaching at Rushcutters Bay Park Tennis Centre is delivered by accredited Tennis Australia coaches. The centre is operated by Sydney Sports Management Group, which manages sporting facilities across New South Wales.

Mike Etherington

  • Head Coach.
  • Passion for teaching and playing tennis.
  • 30 years of coaching experience, including 7 years abroad.
  • Coached former world number 1 Andy Roddick at Rick Macci Tennis Academy
  • USPTA certified professional since 1994.
  • Coached 2023 Tennis Seniors Player of the Year Sanna Bedford (currently representing Australia at the World Teams Championships in Turkey 2025).
  • 2009 World Masters Games bronze medallist.
  • Two-time club champion at Manly Lawn Tennis Club (1998 & 2005).
  • Former state-ranked junior.
  • Australian top 15 senior ranking (previous world ranking of 269).
  • Multiple State and Australian corporate games singles titles.
  • Certificate III in Business.
  • Bronze Medallion and Advanced Resuscitation Certificate.

Samantha Loveridge

  • Tennis Coach.
  • Holds a First Class BA (Hons) Sport Management Degree.
  • 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Coaching.
  • 1st4sport Level 3 Award in Education and Training.
  • 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in the Principles and Preparations for Coaching Sport.
  • Advanced Tennis Coach Certification from the Australasian Academy of Tennis Coaches.
  • Development Tennis Coach Certification from the Australasian Academy of Tennis Coaches.
  • Special Olympics Certification for Inclusive Sport In Schools and Young Athletes
  • First Aid & CPR qualified.
  • Passionate about teaching, helping people improve, and using sport as a tool to benefit well-being.

Martina Caliari

  • Senior Coaching Professional.
  • Gym Instructor.
  • Former EU semi-professional tennis player with 22 years of experience, starting at age 6.
  • Certification in Tennis Australia Community Coaching.
  • Advanced Tennis Coach Certification from The Australasian Academy of Tennis Coaches.
  • Development Tennis Coach Certification from The Australasian Academy of Tennis Coaches.
  • Certificate III in Personal Training.
  • Certificate IV in Personal Training.
  • Certificate IV in Sport Coaching.
  • Diploma in Sport Coaching.
  • Passionate about learning and coaching, bringing great energy to her classes.

How to Be Part of Our Adult Group Tennis Program

Getting started is straightforward. Here is what the process looks like from your first enquiry to your first session on court.

Review the three levels above. Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced — and identify where you fit. If you’re genuinely unsure, call us first and we’ll give you a straight recommendation based on your experience.

Check the schedule above and find a time that works for your week. Most players settle into one consistent weekly session, which is where steady, visible improvement tends to happen.

Single casual sessions can be booked online. For lesson packs, direct debit, or any questions before you book, call
(02) 9357 7332
or email
info.rbtc@ssmgroup.com.au
.

Arrive a few minutes before your session. Wear comfortable athletic clothing and flat-soled shoes — court shoes are ideal over time, but standard runners are fine to start with. Racquets are available at the centre if you need one for your first session.

After a few sessions, your coach will give you a sense of where you’re progressing and what to work on next. Social Tennis is a natural complement to coaching sessions — more court time in a relaxed format, with the same community of players.

What's Included, What's Not, and How Much Does It Cost

  • Coached session on a fully refurbished court at Rushcutters Bay Park
  • Individual technique feedback from a qualified Tennis Australia coach
  • Structured drills covering strokes, movement, and tactics at your level
  • Court and ball supply for the session
  • Racquet hire (available to arrange , enquire at the centre)
  • Private lesson time (available separately — see Private Lessons)
  • Competition entry fees (separate to coaching sessions)
OptionPrice
Adult Lessons — 60 Minutes 
Single casual session$43.00
5-session pack$202.50
10-session pack$385.00
Direct debitAvailable — enquire for rates
Adult Lessons — 90 Minutes 
Single casual session$58.00
5-session pack$255.00
10-session pack$515.00
Direct debitAvailable — enquire for rates

All tennis court hire is $32.00 per hour. Courts are available for casual hire outside of scheduled coaching sessions — book online or call us to check availability.

MORE TENNIS OPTIONS AT RUSHCUTTERS BAY PARK

Not sure which program suits you best? Here is a full overview of what is available for adults at Rushcutters Bay Park Tennis Centre.

Small-group coaching at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Structured sessions with qualified coaches, multiple time slots available throughout the week. → You’re already here — view the schedule above.

A relaxed social hit with other adults — no coaching, no pressure, just court time in a friendly group setting. Suited to players who can serve and sustain a basic rally. → More About Social Tennis
One-on-one coaching tailored entirely to your game — your technique, your goals, your pace. Available for adults at any level. → More About Private Lessons
A competitive league format for adults who want to play matches in a structured competition. A natural next step for players who have been developing through group coaching. → More About Night League
All tennis courts have been fully refurbished and are available for casual hire. Court hire is $32.00 per hour. → Book a Court

Frequently Asked Questions — Adult Tennis at Rushcutters Bay

No. Beginner sessions are designed specifically for adults who have never played, or who haven’t played in a long time. Sessions start with the fundamentals and build at a pace that suits the group. Everyone in the beginner group starts from the same position.

 Not for your first session. Let us know you’re coming and we can discuss equipment options. For ongoing sessions, having your own racquet is recommended, but it is not a requirement from day one.

Beginner and intermediate classes have a small number of players per session. This keeps the coach-to-player ratio low enough for your coach to give individual feedback every session, rather than managing a large group from a distance.

Yes. Single casual sessions are available at $43 (60 min) or $50 (90 min). You can also contact us to ask questions before you book , we would rather you feel informed before your first session than arrive uncertain.

If you’ve never played, or haven’t played in years, start with Beginner. If you can already serve and sustain a rally, Intermediate may be a better fit. If you’re genuinely unsure, call us on (02) 9357 7332 and we’ll advise you directly based on a brief conversation about your experience.

 Lesson packs offer a lower per-session rate than casual bookings. The 10-session pack works well for players who plan to attend consistently. Direct debit options are also available — enquire for current rates. If you’re unsure how often you’ll come, start with a single casual session first.

 No. Group lessons are built around skill development, not fitness. You will move around and your heart rate will go up, but there’s no fitness benchmark to meet before you join. Many adults find their fitness improves naturally as they play more regularly.

Comfortable athletic clothing and flat-soled shoes. Dedicated court shoes are ideal over time, but standard running shoes are fine to start with. Avoid heavily treaded soles such as trail-running or hiking shoes, as these can damage the court surface.

Yes. Contact us directly and we will do our best to place you in the same session. Starting with someone you know makes the first few sessions considerably more comfortable and is a common way adults join the program.

The centre is located at 7 Waratah Street, Rushcutters Bay. Street parking is available in the surrounding area. The centre is also accessible by public transport from Darlinghurst, Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, Edgecliff, and Paddington.

 All courts are outdoors. The courts have been fully refurbished and are available for both coaching sessions and casual hire. Contact us to confirm your session in the event of significant weather disruption.

Yes. There is a café on-site at Rushcutters Bay Park Tennis Centre, so you can arrive early, settle in, or stay and catch up with the group after your session.

All tennis court hire is $32.00 per hour. Courts can be booked online or by calling the centre.

Contact Us

7 Waratah Street
Rushcutters Bay NSW 2011

Our Hours

MON-FRI  7:00am – 10:00pm
SAT-SUN  7:00am – 7:00pm