Making the Most of Regina's Outdoor Season

If you play tennis in Regina, you know the deal: our outdoor season is a gift, and it doesn't last forever. From roughly mid-May to late September you have about 18–20 weeks of reliable outdoor court time. How you use those weeks will determine how much your game grows — or doesn't.

Here's how I recommend structuring your season, whether you're a casual player or someone with competitive goals.

May: Foundation Month

The first weeks back on court shouldn't be about winning — they should be about reconnecting with the ball. Your footwork will be rusty, your timing will be off, and your arm will need time to adjust to hitting again. That's completely normal after a winter off.

In May, focus on:

Long, relaxed rallies from the baseline
Regroving your groundstroke swing paths at 70% pace
Serve practice — especially ball toss and rhythm
Footwork drills to wake up your movement

Resist the urge to go full-intensity in the first week. Shoulder and elbow injuries in May almost always happen because players tried to play like it was August on day one.

June–July: Building Phase

By June you should be moving well and hitting the ball cleanly. This is the time to work on something specific — a weakness you identified last season, a new shot you want to add, or match tactics you want to develop.

This is also the ideal time for structured tennis lessons in Regina. Having a coach watch your game in June means you have all summer to embed the changes before the season ends.

Good targets for this phase:

Add topspin to your second serve
Develop a reliable approach shot
Work on net play — volleys and overheads
Play practice sets with specific tactical goals (e.g., "serve and come in on every first serve")

August: Competition Month

August is when Regina's tennis scene is most active. Leagues, local tournaments, and social round-robins are all happening. This is the month to play as many matches as possible and apply what you've been building.

Scale back drilling in August and prioritise match play. You don't improve in matches by practising — you practise so you can improve in matches.

September: Review and Wind-Down

September is shorter than it feels. The evenings get dark early, the weather turns, and the outdoor courts start to empty out. Use this month to review your season: What improved? What still needs work? What will you focus on next year?

If you play indoors over winter, September is a great time to book a few lessons to identify the key things to work on before the outdoor courts close.

The Bottom Line

18 weeks is enough time to make a real difference to your game — but only if you're intentional about it. Showing up and hitting for an hour is fun, but it's not the same as purposeful practice.