Tennis Instructors, or Tennis Professionals, typically make an hourly rate plus a bonus, or commission based upon the tennis class they are teaching and how many students are enrolled. So, how much should you tip a tennis instructor? Tennis Pros at private tennis clubs almost always earn more money than those at city, or municipal tennis facilities. Sometimes, this higher pay comes as part of the tennis instructor position’s wages, and sometimes because classes at private tennis facilities usually cost more. Ten percent of more, is more.
Is It Customary to Tip a Tennis Instructor?
Is It Customary to Tip a Tennis Pro in America?
For tennis instructors teaching group classes, tipping is less common. When you do tip a tennis pro teaching classes, you would generally tip at the end of the class, or at the end of a block of lessons. However, all professions appreciate a tip for exceptional service. Your tennis pro will tell you if tipping a tennis instructor is not allowed at your facility.
For private tennis lessons, tipping is more common, although not frequent. Again, depending upon where the tennis pro is employed makes a big difference in how common tips are, and how much people tip their tennis instructor. The general consensus, however, is that tennis pros teaching private lessons make more per hour than when teaching group lessons. That difference in earnings compensates the tennis pro for the lesson. No tip is required for individual lessons.
Should I Tip My Tennis Instructor at Christmas?
If you have an ongoing relationship with a tennis professional working on tennis during the winter, then holiday tipping is different. No one expects Christmas tips, except maybe people who work in a building, like the door man, or the front desk person. If you have been working with a tennis instructor for several months, a holiday tip is unnecessary, but far more common than tipping for tennis classes would be. How much you should tip your tennis instructor at Christmas is entirely up to you. Think of it more as a gift than a tip. Again, you’ll see tipping a lot more at private clubs than municipal tennis lessons. Common tips include:
- The same as the price of one lesson, or series of lessons
- A round number that you are comfortable with, $10, $20, $50, $100, and so on. In this case, you should tip your tennis pro the amount that does not cause you financial concern. For example, if you spend $20 without really thinking about it, but $50 makes you stop and think about if you can really afford it, or if you really need it, then $20 is the appropriate tip
- The same that you tip any other service professionals you work with (a pickleball instructor, music teacher, or art teacher).
- Tip with gift cards. A gift card isn’t as useful as cash, of course, but a general gift card like Amazon, Target, or Starbucks often works for most people. If you know something about your tennis instructor and what they like to do, then a gift card that fits their interests is a more thoughtful gift and may help support local businesses as well.
- Remember tips are optional, even at the holidays. In the spirit of giving, if you are doing well enough that you can afford to tip, then tip and spread some Christmas cheer.
Is It Customary to Tip a Tennis Pro in Europe or Asia?
Tipping is far less common in Europe and Asia than in the United States. While there is no need to tip your tennis instructor in Europe or Asia, it may be slightly more common at resorts that cater primarily to Americans. Sort of like when in Rome, but more like, “When Rome visits you, do what they do,” or something more elegant.
How Much Should I Tip My Tennis Pro?
For tennis instructors teaching group classes, tipping is less common at all but the highest end tennis facilities. When you do tip a tennis pro, one would generally tip at the end of the class, or at the end of a block of lessons. Like most things, how much you tip a tennis instructor is up to you. Common tipping guidelines for Tennis Instructors include:
- 15% – Taken from the customary restaurant tip, this amount is often the starting place for other things
- As above, a round amount of money that is not a burden to your finances such as $10, $20, $25, $50, or $100.
- An amount based upon the number of lessons
What should you not tip your tennis instructor.
Don’t tip your tennis instructor by pressing a $1 bill into their hand. It’s a tennis lesson, they aren’t parking a car for you.
Don’t make a big deal out of tipping your tennis pro. It is embarrassing for them and for the people around you. Tipping should always be subtle.
