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Coach's guide · rules with sources

Find a tennis partner at your level

A good partner is the fastest way to improve and the main reason people keep playing. Here is where club players find partners, how to agree a first hit, and the rules and customs that make it go smoothly.

Start with your level

Partners click when the rallies last. Know your level before you look: in the PFM app tennis players choose D Cadet, C Club, B Star or A Expro, and the free level test also gives you an approximate NTRP.

Take the tennis level test

What a coach would tell you

  1. 1

    For matches, look for the same PFM level, ideally the same NTRP rating or one half-point apart (for example 3.5 and 4.0): both of you win games and the score stays close.

  2. 2

    For practice, a slightly stronger partner teaches you to handle pace; a slightly weaker one gives you time to work on patterns and consistency. Mix both.

  3. 3

    In social doubles, levels can be mixed: pair the strongest player with the weakest so the teams are balanced.

These are a coach's recommendations, not rules.

Where club players find partners

Most regular partners are found at the club, not online. Use every channel; each one brings a different kind of player.

  • Your club and its coach

    Ask the coach or the front desk: they know who plays at your level and when. Check the notice board and come to club social doubles nights.

  • Group lessons and clinics

    Groups are formed by level, so the people next to you are natural practice partners. Swap contacts after the session and book a court together.

  • Ladders and box leagues

    A ladder or box league gives you new opponents at your level every week or two, with a reason to play. If your club has none, start one.

    Ladder and box league rules

  • Social doubles evenings

    In a round robin you play with a new partner every round. One evening, eight or more new contacts.

    Doubles round robin generator

  • Players and open matches in the app

    In the PFM app you can join open matches and swipe through player cards. More below.

Your first hit together

Most friction with a new partner comes from things nobody agreed on. Some points are written rules; others are club customs. We mark which is which.

Rules

  • Rule

    Warm-up: about five minutes, and it is not practice

    In a match the warm-up is at most five minutes unless the organiser decides otherwise. The USTA Code asks players to give the opponent five to ten minutes and to hit the ball to them, not to practise winners.

    ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 29e; USTA The Code §3

  • Rule

    You call the lines on your side

    Without an umpire, each player calls the balls landing on their own side of the net. If you are not sure, the point goes to your opponent.

    USTA The Code §5 and §6

  • Rule

    A ball touching the line is in

    If any part of the ball touches a line, the ball is good. A ball you cannot clearly see out is good.

    ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 12; USTA The Code §7 and §8

  • Rule

    The server announces the score

    Before each first serve the server calls the score loud enough for the opponent to hear. It prevents most score arguments.

    USTA The Code §31

Customs

  • Custom

    Agree the plan before you meet

    Rally only, drills, or a match? How long is the booking, and do you play sets or a match tie-break at one set all? Say it in the message, not on court.

  • Custom

    Whoever books, both pay

    Usually one player books the court and the fee is split equally. Settle it on the day; nobody likes to chase money.

  • Custom

    Bring a can of new balls

    Both players bring balls, and you open one can. In ladder matches the challenger usually brings them.

  • Custom

    Be early, finish on time

    Arrive ten minutes early to change and stretch, and leave the court on time when the next players are waiting.

Meeting someone new safely

Most tennis meet-ups are easy and friendly. A few habits keep them that way.

  • Meet the first time at a club or a busy public court, not at a private address.
  • Keep talking in the app until you have met; you do not have to share your phone number.
  • Tell a friend where and when you are playing. Players under 18 should arrange matches with a parent or their coach.
  • Warm up properly, drink water and stop if something hurts. In hot weather, avoid the midday hours.

Find partners in the PFM app

The app is built around tennis and padel players at club level. These features are live today:

  • Your level on your profile

    Choose D Cadet, C Club, B Star or A Expro. Other players see it, along with your PFM Ranking position, win rate and your head-to-head record against them.

  • Open matches

    Create a singles or doubles match with a venue, time and level, or join an open match. You approve join requests automatically or one by one.

  • Find player

    Swipe through player cards and swipe right to invite someone to a match or a practice session. The free plan shows five cards; Premium is unlimited.

  • Scores and PFM Ranking

    Enter the score after the match and rate your opponent. Your matches, wins and PFM Ranking points build up on your profile.

Free: your level on your profile, open matches, player search by name and five Find player cards. Premium: filters by level, gender and city, the map of players near you, unlimited cards and choosing a city other than your GPS location.

Find your next partner in the PFM app

Set your tennis level on your profile, then join an open match or swipe through player cards.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Cities with PFM tennis clubs

Each city page lists the clubs, their courts and opening hours. The numbers come from live club data.

All clubs

Run a tennis club?

Players look for partners at clubs with an active community. The PFM club panel handles court booking for your members and, in the Pro plan, challenge ladders and leagues. Every plan starts with a 30-day free trial.

Tennis club software Pricing

Questions about finding a tennis partner

How do I find a tennis partner at my level?

Find out your level first (the free test takes two minutes), then ask your club coach, join group lessons, a ladder or a social doubles evening, and use open matches and the Find player feature in the PFM app.

What level should my tennis partner be?

For matches, the same level, or NTRP ratings one half-point apart (for example 3.5 and 4.0), keeps the score close. For practice, mix slightly stronger and slightly weaker partners. This is coaching advice, not a rule.

Is the PFM app free for finding partners?

Yes. Your level, open matches and searching players by name are free, and the Find player feature shows five cards on the free plan. Premium adds filters by level, gender and city, the map of nearby players and unlimited cards.

Who brings the balls and pays for the court?

There is no rule for friendly play. The usual custom is that one player books, the court fee is split equally and you open one can of new balls; in ladder matches the challenger usually brings the balls.

How long should the warm-up be?

In a match, at most five minutes unless the organiser decides otherwise (ITF Rules of Tennis, Rule 29). The USTA Code suggests five to ten minutes in unofficiated play, hitting the ball to your opponent.

Who calls the lines when we play without an umpire?

Each player calls the balls on their own side of the net, and any doubt goes to the opponent. A ball touching the line is in (USTA The Code §5–7; ITF Rule 12).