The Best Tennis Schools in Tuscany

If you’ve been looking for information about the best tennis schools in Tuscany, we have good news: the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP) released an updated ranking of the best tennis schools in Italy. Here, you’ll better understand how the list of Italian tennis schools works and start choosing the right one for your daughter or son.

Types of Tennis Schools in Italy

First, it’s important to know the 5 different types of tennis schools in Italy: Club School, Basic School, Standard School, Super School, Top School. What’s the difference between them? FITP ranks Italian tennis schools based on quality parameters considering three factors:

• The qualifications and expertise of tennis teachers;
• The presence of a Physical Trainer with a degree in “Movement Sciences” and specific tennis training;
• The sports facilities provided by tennis clubs.

Below is a comparative table which we will explain in more detail later.

Category	Stars	Leadership	Facilities	Physical Trainer	Minimum Teams for Youth Championships
Club School	1 star	First-Level Instructor	Varied surfaces, covered courts, gym, and lodging not mandatory	Isef Diploma or Degree in Movement Sciences	1 team
Basic School	2 stars	Second-Level Instructor	Varied surfaces, covered courts, gym, and lodging not mandatory	First-Level FITP Physical Trainer	2 teams
Standard School	3 stars	National Master	Gym mandatory, covered courts (with regional exceptions)	First-Level FITP Physical Trainer	3 teams
Super School	4 stars	National Coach	Gym, varied surfaces and lodging mandatory, covered courts (with regional exceptions)	Second-Level FITP Physical Trainer	4 teams
Top School	5 stars	National Coach	Gym, varied surfaces, covered courts and lodging mandatory	Second-Level FITP Physical Trainer	5 teams

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Club School (1 star)

The Club School is the first type of tennis school. The courses are collective, and the school may be led even by a first-level instructor. Different surfaces, covered courts, gym, and lodging are not mandatory.

The physical trainer must have an Isef diploma or a degree in movement sciences.

The minimum number of teams required for youth championships is one.

List of the best Club Schools in Italy for 2024 as released by FITP:

Basic School (2 stars)

The second type of tennis school is the Basic School. The courses are mini-tennis and beginner levels, and the school can be led by a second-level instructor.

Different surfaces, covered courts, gym, and lodging are not mandatory.

The physical trainer must be a first-level FITP physical trainer.

The minimum number of teams required is two.

Below is the ranking of the best tennis schools in Italy in the Basic School category as released in December 2024:

Standard School (3 stars)

The third type of tennis school is the Standard School, offering mini-tennis, beginner, and advanced courses.

The school must be led by a national master. A gym is mandatory. Different surfaces and lodging are not mandatory.

Covered courts are required, except in regions where the average winter temperature reaches 10 degrees.

The physical trainer must be at least a first-level FITP physical trainer. The minimum number of teams required is three.

Below is the ranking of the best tennis schools in Italy in the Standard School category – Ranking 2024:

Super School (4 stars)

The fourth type of tennis school is the Super School.

The courses are mini-tennis, beginner, advanced, and specialization.

The school must be led by a national coach. A gym, varied surfaces, and lodging are mandatory.

Covered courts are also mandatory, except in regions with milder winters.

The physical trainer must be at least a second-level FITP physical trainer. The minimum number of teams required is four.

Below is the list of the best Super School category tennis schools for 2024:

Top School (5 stars)

The fifth type of tennis school, the five-star Top School, includes courses in mini-tennis, beginner, advanced, specialization, and training.

The school must be led by a national coach. A gym, varied surfaces, covered courts, and lodging are mandatory.

The physical trainer must be at least a second-level FITP physical trainer. The minimum number of teams required is five.

Below is the list of the best Top School category tennis schools:

Classification of Tennis Coaches in Italy

In the ranking of the best tennis schools in Italy, one of the criteria considered is the classification of tennis coaches. To better understand the difference, check the table below with the following detailed description:

Category	Minimum Age for the Course	Qualification Validity	Main Functions	Additional Requirements
First-Level Instructor	18 years	2 years (renewable)	Collaborate in mini-tennis courses; operate independently in Club Schools; cannot give private lessons	Training course, 10-credit internship, final exams
Second-Level Instructor	20 years	Permanent	Operate independently in mini-tennis and beginner courses; collaborate in advanced and specialization courses	Training course, 20-credit internship, final exams, two years of documented professional activity
National Master	21 years	Permanent	Lead tennis schools; teach all levels; accompany high-level national athletes (excluding ATP/WTA)	Training course, 30-credit internship, final exams
National Coach	25 years	Permanent	Same functions as National Master; accompany international level athletes (ATP/WTA)	Training course, 50-credit internship, final exams, being a National Master

First-Level Instructor

The First-Level Instructor qualification is valid for two years and can be renewed for subsequent periods. Candidates must be at least 18 years old at the start of the course. The qualification is obtained through attending a training course, requested by an affiliated association, which includes at least a ten-credit internship and passing final exams.

The First-Level Instructor can collaborate in mini-tennis courses with second-level instructors, national masters, or national coaches, upon request of the affiliated association. In a Club School, they can operate independently in group courses with athletes who do not have a federation ranking; however, they cannot give private lessons. In exceptional cases, at the request of the president of the affiliated association, they may be authorized to teach mini-tennis without the presence of a higher-qualified instructor.

The renewal of the qualification is conditioned on participating, every two years, in a refresher course where the instructor must present a report of activities carried out in the biennium, certified by the president of the association where they worked, and pass an evaluation test.

Second-Level Instructor

The Second-Level Instructor qualification, of a permanent nature, is achieved by first-level instructors who have turned 20 years old at the start of the course, after two years of documented professional activity, and the annual renewal of the qualification.

The qualification is obtained after attending a training course, including at least a twenty-credit internship period and passing a final exam.

The Second-Level Instructor can operate with total autonomy only in teaching mini-tennis and beginner courses and may also collaborate in advanced and specialization courses with national masters or national coaches.

It is mandatory to participate in a refresher course every two years to maintain registration in the professional registry.

National Master

The National Master qualification, of a permanent nature, is obtained by second-level instructors who have completed 21 years before the start of the course, through attendance at a training course, including an internship of at least thirty credits and passing a final exam.

The National Master can operate throughout the national territory, leading tennis schools that offer teaching in mini-tennis, tennis initiation, advanced, and specialization.

They are also qualified to accompany high-level athletes, except those with international ATP or WTA rankings.

To maintain registration in the registry, it is necessary to participate in a refresher course every two years.

National Coach

The National Coach qualification, of a permanent nature, is obtained by National Masters who have turned 25 years old before the start of the course, through attendance at a training course of at least fifty credits, including an internship and passing a final exam.

The National Coach can perform functions assigned to the National Master and is qualified to accompany athletes with international ATP or WTA rankings.

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They cannot simultaneously direct more than two tennis schools and, if they work at a Super School or Top School, must dedicate themselves exclusively to one of them.

It is necessary to participate in a refresher course every two years to maintain registration in the professional registry.

Finding a Tennis School in Italy Near You?

On the FITP website, there’s a page where you can search for the nearest schools.

Visit the site: https://www.fitp.it/Circoli-scuole-e-insegnanti/Scuole-tennis/Cerca-scuola

The Best Tennis Schools in Tuscany

What are the best tennis schools in Tuscany? We’ve studied the tables released by FITP and report here the selection of the 50 best tennis schools in Tuscany, starting from the Top Schools, through Super Schools, down to Standard Schools.

See details below for 2024:

Position in Tuscany	National Position	Tennis Club Name	School Type	Points
1	8	CIRCOLO TENNIS GIOTTO ASSOCIAZIONE SPORTIVA DILETTANTISTICA	Top School	5,750
2	9	CIRCOLO TENNIS GROSSETO AS DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	5,350
3	26	A.S.D. ‘CIRCOLO TENNIS LUCCA’	Standard School	3,550
4	29	TENNIS CLUB PISTOIA SOCIETÀ SPORTIVA DILETTANTISTICA E RICREATIVA SENZA FINI DI LUCRO	Top School	3,525
5	36	LIBERTAS SPORT SOC. COOP A.R.L. -SS DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	3,325
6	38	TENNIS CLUB PRATO ASSOCIAZIONE SPORTIVA DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	3,250
7	68	TENNIS CLUB SINALUNGA – ASSOCIAZIONE SPORTIVA DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	2,375
8	74	CIRCOLO DEL TENNIS FIRENZE ASSOCIAZIONE SPORTIVA DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	2,250
9	79	CIRCOLO TENNIS PONTEDERA SOC. COOP. ARL DILETTANTISTICA	Top School	2,200
10	85	TENNIS CLUB ITALIA SOCIETA SPORTIVA DILETTANTISTICA A R.L	Standard School	2,125
11	95	JUNIOR TENNIS CLUB AREZZO ASSOCIAZIONE DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	2,025
12	99	UAPPALA SPORTING CLUB VILLA LLOYD SSDRL	Top School	1,975
13	100	TENNIS CLUB BISENZIO A.S. DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	1,975
14	101	MATCH BALL FIRENZE COUNTRY CLUB SOCIETA’ SPORTIVA DILETTANTISTICA A RESPONSABILITA’ LIMITATA	Top School	1,950
15	105	CLUB NAUTICO-SEZIONE TENNIS ASSOCIAZIONE SPORTIVA DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	1,950
16	140	ASS.SPORT.DILETT. CIRCOLO TENNIS SIENA	Basic School	1,625
17	143	CENTRO SPORT LE VELE SAN DONATO – AS DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	1,600
18	145	A.S.DILETTANTISTICA POL. FIRENZE OVEST	Standard School	1,575
19	152	AS DIL.TENNIS CLUB POGGIBONSI	Top School	1,500
20	158	AS DILETTANTISTICA TENNIS 2.ZERO	Standard School	1,475
21	161	CIRCOLO TENNIS MONTECATINI AS DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	1,450
22	205	ASS.TENNISTICA PIOMBINESE DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	1,300
23	210	COOPERATIVA TENNIS LIVORNO SOC COOP SPORT. DILETTANTISTICA S.R.L	Top School	1,275
24	230	A.S. DILETTANTISTICA LA FIORITA TENNIS CLUB	Standard School	1,225
25	237	A.S. DIL. CIRCOLO TENNIS ABBADIA SAN SALVATORE	Standard School	1,200
26	259	JUNIOR CLUB NEXT GEN A.S.D	Standard School	1,150
27	295	TENNIS CLUB PONSACCO SOCIETA’ SPORTIVA DILETTANTISTICA ARL	Basic School	1,075
28	304	AS DILETTANTISTICA SANTA CROCE SCUOLA TENNIS	Standard School	1,050
29	307	A.S.D. TENNIS CLUB CARRARA	Club School	1,050
30	308	AS. DIL.TENNIS CLUB FOLLONICA	Basic School	1,050
31	312	A.S.D. TENNIS CLUB CASTIGLIONESE	Top School	1,025
32	315	TENNIS CLUB IL PUNTO – ASSOCIAZIONE SPORTIVA DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	1,025
33	327	TENNIS CLUB SPORTING CLUB MONTECATINI ASD	Top School	1,000
34	328	AS DILETTANTISTICA TENNIS CERTOSA	Standard School	1,000
35	338	A.S.D. CIRCOLO TENNIS E PADEL LA LIMONAIA	Standard School	975
36	342	S.D. ‘LA RACCHETTA AS DILETTANTISTICA	Club School	975
37	344	UNIONE SPORTIVA DIL. ALBOR GRASSINA	Basic School	975
38	375	ASSOCIAZIONE TENNIS SUBBIANO SS DILETTANTISTICA	Basic School	900
39	381	ASD ‘TENNIS SAN MARCO VECCHIO’ DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	900
40	391	ASDTENNIS IN PROGRESS-LAGOMARE	Club School	875
41	397	A.S.D. TENNIS RAFFAELLI	Standard School	875
42	404	ASSOCIAZIONE TENNIS BIBBIENA AS DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	850
43	418	C.U.S. PISA AS DILETTANTISTICA	Club School	850
44	430	EMPOLI TENNIS SCHOOL ASSOCIAZIONE SPORTIVA DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	825
45	448	TENNIS CLUB STAGGIA – ASSOCIAZIONE SPORTIVA DILETTANTISTICA	Basic School	800
46	452	AS DILETTANTISTICA TENNIS D.L.F. PISTOIA	Standard School	800
47	464	TENNIS PISA SSD ARL	Standard School	775
48	465	UNIONE SPORTIVA DIL. CERBAIA CIRCOLO TENNIS	Club School	775
49	467	VALTIBERINA TENNIS & SPORTS ASSOCIAZIONE SPORTIVA DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	775
50	468	CIRCOLO TENNIS SCANDICCI ASSOCIAZIONE SPORTIVA DILETTANTISTICA	Basic School	775
51	490	TENNIS CLUB BORGO SAN LORENZO ASSOCIAZIONE SPORTIVA DILETTANTISTICA	Standard School	750
52	502	A.S.D. TENNIS CLUB SAN GIULIANO TERME	Club School	750
53	511	AS DILETTANTISTICA A.S.S.I. GIGLIO ROSSO FIRENZE	Standard School	725
54	512	A.S.D. POGGETTO	Standard School	725
55	523	ASS. POL. DIL. POLIZIA MUNICIPALE CARRARA – SEZ. TENNIS	Standard School	700
56	540	A.S.D. TENNIS CLUB MANETTI	Club School	700
57	543	A.S.D. CIRCOLO TENNIS PECCIOLI	Club School	700
58	545	ASS.POL. DIL. S.ALBINO TERME	Club School	700
59	546	CIRCOLO TENNIS LIBERTAS CAPRAIA AS DILETTANTISTICA	Club School	700
60	547	TENNIS PADEL CASCINA SSDRL	Basic School	700

See details below for 2023:

2023	Club Name	Province	Points	Type	S.R.C.
1	Circolo Tennis Pontedera Soc. Coop. ARL Dilettantistica	Pisa	3.150	Top School	14
2	Circolo Tennis Giotto Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica	Arezzo	2.925	Top School	21
3	Tennis Club Pistoia Società Sportiva Dilettantistica e Ricreativa Senza Fini di Lucro	Pistoia	2.325	Top School	31
4	Match Ball Firenze Country Club Società Sportiva Dilettantistica a Responsabilità Limitata	Firenze	2.025	Top School	37
5	A.S.D. Tennis Club Castiglionese	Arezzo	1.900	Top School	41
6	AS Dil.Tennis Club Poggibonsi	Siena	1.150	Top School	67
7	Uappala Sporting Club Villa Lloyd SSDR	Livorno	1.400	Super School	10
8	Cooperativa Tennis Livorno Soc Coop Sport. Dilettantistica S.R.L.	Livorno	1.100	Super School	11
9	Tennis Club Sporting Club Montecatini ASD	Pistoia	600	Super School	16
10	Circolo Tennis Grosseto AS Dilettantistica	Grosseto	5.175	Standard School	3
11	A.S.D. Circolo Tennis Lucca	Lucca	4.250	Standard School	6
12	Tennis Club Prato Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica	Prato	2.775	Standard School	15
13	Libertas Sport Soc. Coop A.R.L. – SS Dilettantistica	Livorno	2.200	Standard School	26
14	Tennis Club Sinalunga – Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica	Siena	2.000	Standard School	31
15	Circolo del Tennis Firenze Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica	Firenze	1.500	Standard School	50
16	Club Nautico – Sezione Tennis Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica	Massa-Carrara	1.500	Standard School	51
17	Tennis Club Italia Societa Sportiva Dilettantistica A R.L	Lucca	1.450	Standard School	55
18	Junior Club Next Gen A.S.D.	Massa-Carrara	1.450	Standard School	56
19	Circolo Tennis Montecatini AS Dilettantistica	Pistoia	1.200	Standard School	93
20	Tennis Club Bisenzio A.S. Dilettantistica	Prato	1.100	Standard School	110
21	A.S. Dilettantistica Pol. Firenze Ovest	Firenze	1.075	Standard School	116
22	A.S. Dil. Circolo Tennis Abbadia San Salvatore	Siena	875	Standard School	149
23	Ass. Tennistica Piombinese Dilettantistica	Livorno	800	Standard School	166
24	AS Dilettantistica Tennis Certosa	Pisa	800	Standard School	167
25	ASD Tennis San Marco Vecchio Dilettantistica	Firenze	750	Standard School	178
26	Junior Tennis Club Arezzo Associazione Dilettantistica	Arezzo	750	Standard School	179
27	A.S. Dilettantistica Tennis Club Ronchi Mare	Massa-Carrara	725	Standard School	185
28	Associazione Tennis Bibbiena AS Dilettantistica	Arezzo	700	Standard School	193
29	Tennis Club Ponsacco Società Sportiva Dilettantistica ARL	Pisa	675	Standard School	200
30	Ass. Pol. Dil. Polizia Municipale Carrara – Sec. Tennis	Massa-Carrara	625	Standard School	220
31	AS Dilettantistica Tennis 2.Zero	Lucca	625	Standard School	221
32	Circolo Arci AS Dil. Tennis Certaldo	Firenze	575	Standard School	232
33	AS Dilettantistica Tennis D.L.F. Pistoia	Pistoia	525	Standard School	254
34	A.S. Dilettantistica La Fiorita Tennis Club	Firenze	500	Standard School	264
35	A.S.D. Tennis Raffaelli	Lucca	450	Standard School	295
36	A.S.D. Circolo Tennis Etruria	Prato	450	Standard School	296
37	ASD Polisportiva 2M	Firenze	450	Standard School	297
38	Centro Sport Le Vele San Donato – AS Dilettantistica	Lucca	425	Standard School	303
39	A.S.D. Unione Sportiva Affrico	Firenze	425	Standard School	304
40	A.S.D. Fiesole Tennis	Firenze	400	Standard School	209
41	Tennis Club Il Punto – Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica	Massa-Carrara	400	Standard School	310
42	AS Dilettantistica Santa Croce Scuola Tennis	Pisa	375	Standard School	316
43	Tennis Club Borgo San Lorenzo Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica	Firenze	350	Standard School	324
44	Empoli Tennis School Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica	Firenze	350	Standard School	325
45	Circolo Arci Tennis Club Limonaia Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica	Firenze	275	Standard School	350
46	Junior Tennis School ASD Fucecchio	Firenze	275	Standard School	351
47	AS Dilettantistica A.S.S.I. Giglio Rosso Firenze	Firenze	250	Standard School	364
48	Florentia Sporting Club Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica	Firenze	250	Standard School	365
49	A.S.D. Poggetto	Firenze	225	Standard School	374
50	Tennis Club Sesto AS Dilettantistica	Firenze	175	Standard School	393

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Below is a photo of my daughter Gaia playing tennis at the Scuola Tennis Prato, which is among the top 3 Standard Schools in Tuscany (and the 15th best Standard School in Italy out of 429 schools in this category)

At What Age Can One Start Playing Tennis?

Today, it’s possible to start playing tennis from an early age, around 4-5 years old. Mini-tennis offers a unique opportunity to learn in a fun and accessible way.

What is Mini-Tennis?

Mini-tennis primarily involves introducing adapted playing spaces for each child. There are different types of courts, depending on the players’ levels. The instructor introduces a mini-racket and depressurized balls, allowing for immediate fun.

But that’s not all. The pedagogical approach allows for competition at every moment of the lesson, exchanging forehand and backhand strokes with peers from the start, and activities are always varied to maintain interest.

Mini-tennis is a crucial phase in the formative path to starting tennis. Generally, it is aimed at children from 4-5 to 10 years old. However, this facilitated method is also suitable for older students, over 10 years old.

Below is an example of how tennis courts are used in Mini-Tennis:

Evaluating Progress

It’s important to note that, for both beginners and those following the formative path with subsequent phases of improvement, specialization, and training, the transition from one phase to another in learning tennis should not be based solely on the students’ age, but mainly on the competencies acquired, which should be evaluated by the instructor.

The term “mini-tennis” combines two words belonging to different spheres. “Mini” refers to the world of play, while “tennis” relates to the sport in its historical and official definition.

Mini-tennis represents a union between play and sport – two close, but distinct spheres in how they are experienced in practice. In play, rules are not rigidly codified, while in sport, they are fundamental.

The instructor plays a crucial role in this happy synthesis between these two worlds, with the mission of facilitating the learning of the sport, in this case, tennis, through play. Therefore, they use equipment, spaces, guidelines, and simple rules that increase in complexity as the students progress in their skills.