The San Jose 

Community Tennis Association, Inc.

Tennis Programs


Our membership includes all levels of tennis players, from brand-new beginners to world-class, nationally ranked touring professionals. Whatever your level, we have tennis programs for you!
All Skill Levels - Men and Women - Singles & Doubles  

Improve Your Game

Our group includes experienced teaching professionals who are giving lessons in both groups and one-on-one individual sessions. Lessons are available for kids, brand new beginners, and intermediate and advanced players. Members also meet for casual "practice and play" sessions where we do some informal drills and have fun practicing. If you're looking to be a better player, join our group and check "Tennis Lessons" on the form. We'll be in touch!

Join our Free League! Our Free Catch-A-Match Program

"Catch a match" is a FREE public tennis league that sets up matches for you. To keep it fair, and fun, you'll be playing with other people of similar skill levels. To participate, simply join our group and check "catch a match" on the form.

Who Can Play?

Everyone! Catch-a-match is open to …
  • Men and Women
  • All skill levels (beginners to intermediates to advanced)
  • Singles
  • Doubles
  • We welcome both able-bodied and wheelchair players.
NOTE: You must agree to the participation agreement if you wish to play. No exceptions.

Where do we play?

Any public court that is convenient for you both. San Jose has hundreds of nice public courts in public parks and at public schools. Many can be reserved and many have lights for play after dark. More details below.

Can we reserve a court?

Yes! Visit the San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services website for a list of parks with Tennis courts that can be reserved. Once you’ve chosen your court, call City Wide Sports at (408) 369-3907.

How does Catch-A-Match work?

  1. Everyone needs a rating on the NTRP scale . If you don't have a rating, you can give yourself one, or one of our teaching professionals will be happy to help you. Contact us if you need help. You can always adjust it later.
  2. SJCTA will suggest matches between players of the same level. We'll email you both so you can arrange a match at your convenience. It's ok to reschedule if necessary. If you don't respond, or you are a no-show, you automatically lose.
  3. You email us the outcome, we'll keep track.
  4. We'll email players weekly so they can arrange next matches.
We will have a ranking at the end. Sorry, there’s no trophies. But, we can get together and buy the winners lunch!

Will There be other League Play?

Yes. As soon as we have enough players with interest. We will have officially sanctioned USTA league play and will be creating USTA tennis teams to compete with other local clubs.

What's an N.T.R.P. Rating?

N.T.R.P. stands for "National Tennis Rating Program" and is a skill rating scale from the United States Tennis Association.  The rating makes it easy for all tennis players to find other players of similar skill levels. That ensures you are playing someone close to your own level to keep matches fair - and make them fun.

You can start off by rating yourself using the scale below.
Or, one of our friendly Teaching Professional members can give you a rating. Don’t worry, you can always change your level once you’ve played some matches.
1.5
This player has limited experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball into play.
2.0
This player needs on-court experience. This player has obvious stroke weaknesses but is familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles play.
2.5
This player is learning to judge where the ball is going although court coverage is weak. Can sustain a short rally of slow pace with other players of the same ability.
3.0 This player is fairly consistent when hitting medium paced shorts, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks execution when trying for directional control, depth, or power. Most common doubles formation is one-up, one-back.
3.5
This player has achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but still lacks depth and variety. This player exhibits more aggressive net play, has improved court coverage, and is developing teamwork in doubles.
4.0
This player has dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate shots, plus the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success. This player occasionally forces errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident.
4.5
This player has begun to master the use of power and spins and is beginning to handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and is beginning to vary game plan according to opponents. This player can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. This player tends to over hit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.
5.0
 This player has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or attribute around which a game may be structured. This player can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys, can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys, overhead smashes, and has good depth and spin on most 2nd serves.
5.5
This player has developed power and/or consistency as a major weapon. This player can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hits dependable shots in a stress situation.
6.0
The 6.0 player typically has had intensive training for national tournament competition at the junior and collegiate levels and has obtained a sectional and/or national ranking.
7.0+  
A world class player competing in nationally recognized events.


© 2003 The San Jose Community Tennis Association, Inc. All rights reserved
Email us at sjcta@yahoo.com for more information