Red Ball Social League Introduces New Players to Tennis

WESTBOROUGH, MA - New England Social Tennis Leagues are hotter than ever, setting new highs in 2025 with more than 3,800 participants across 51 New England leagues. Social Leagues provide adult players the opportunity to meet new friends, network, and in some cases, discover the sport for the first time.

This summer and fall, the Boston South End league introduced Red Ball Tennis, a low-pressure format using modified equipment, courts and rules to help beginners learn the game in a social group setting. The approach makes tennis more accessible and allows players to build skills and confidence at their own pace.

“Red Ball Tennis truly welcomes every age and ability. I’ve seen a lot of people start out hesitant or unsure if tennis is for them, but pretty quickly realize how approachable and fun it is. It’s really inspiring to watch people try it out for even just a few points and immediately decide that they want to play on their own,” said Leah Molofsky, Social Play Manager. “At our league this year, it was incredible to see players’ improvement from the first week to the last, with several of them already moving on to our traditional leagues.” 

The South End League was played at Peters Park and filled both seasons with 16 players in the summer and 20 in the fall.  

“My experience so far has been great. I'm grateful for the red ball program because it was a friendly environment to practice,” said Brea Grosch, of Quincy, MA, who participated in the summer program. “With Red Ball Tennis, it was helpful to slow things down and practice hitting the ball. It helped me think more about my swing, if I actually follow through with the swing, that's where the power comes from.”

Grosch, who is in her 30s, played tennis as a kid and was looking for a casual way to get back into the sport with her friends. She advanced from the red ball league to the South Boston recreational league in the fall. 

“I love it. It's rewarding and challenging. Much of the game is mental and truly requires you to focus on the ball, your partner and the other team. I enjoy tennis as a way to disconnect from everything else going on in my life and get some exercise,” Grosch said.

Adult Red Ball Tennis has seen an uptick in popularity in 2025. The launch of USTA National’s new Red Ball Tennis brand saw 150,000+ equipment packs distributed to providers and players, and pop-up activations are now appearing more frequently at events nationwide.

USTA New England plans to continue the South End league in 2026, with additional red ball locations across New England expected to begin. 

If you are interested in playing or organizing Red Ball Tennis in your area, email socialtennis@newengland.usta.com or visit the New England Social Tennis League homepage.