Cross-tennis is a variation of tennis: the equipment is similar, the ball is the same, so is the net height and court size. The only difference is that players are next to each other and play against a wall. Imagine a tennis court, cut in half by a 5m high wall. That’s how we play!

How does it look like?

Below are a few examples of standard cross-tennis rallies: 

 

What’s the point?
First of all, the space: cross-tennis is played on the equivalent of half a tennis court only. That allows us to play in many places, where playing tennis would not be possible. All you need is a wall and enough space in front of it.

Playing against a wall adds speed to the game. The reaction time is slightly shorter than tennis. As your opponent is next to you, you also need to move more : cross-tennis is not a contact sport and both players must avoid each other.

Hitting the wall also allows for different angles than tennis. It is also easier for beginners to keep the ball within the court limits, which allows for faster fun and a technique progression. You will progress faster playing cross-tennis for an hour than tennis for the same amount of time.
 
What equipment do you need?

Cross tennis is played with standard tennis rackets and balls.
Experienced tennis and squash players will find their mark very quickly, as the ball hitting  techniques are similar to what they know.

The court

You can use chalk (or tape) to draw a net line on the wall. We recommend a height of 95cm, just like any other tennis net.

Then, mark out the court on the floor. We suggest half the size of a tennis court (~8m wide by 12m long), but there are no strict rules here. It’s all about adapting to your space and your skills – the court can be wider or smaller depending on your level or the space available.

The court should be divided into left and right halves, which is only relevant for the serve.

The rules

It’s very simple and similar to tennis.

The player who serves up the ball must make sure it bounces off the wall above the net line and lands on the opposite half within the court’s borders.

If the ball goes out or under the net line, it’s a fault. And only one bounce on the floor is allowed.
Keep it simple – hit, bounce, and rally on!

Anything else?

Since both players are side by side, there might be instances where they accidentally bump into each other or get in the way, causing a delay in hitting the ball. Such friendly collision can lead to some points being replayed, all in the name of sportsmanship.
And that’s the unique charm of cross-tennis – unlike traditional tennis, your opponent is right beside you, adding an extra layer of strategy to the game. So, think smartly about your moves, positioning, and shots!

 

Cross-tennis is a game that really brings the joy of tennis without the hassle. So, grab a racket, find a wall, and let the games begin!