Bearing in mind we have its biggest tournament in the world and we boast the (currently ranked) third best player of it in the world, as a nation we are not terribly au fait with tennis.

Yes, we all cheer along to Wimbledon (said biggest tournament), we're pleased when Andy Murray (said third best player) wins, and for a few, blissful weeks a year, fired up by Wimbledon/Murray fervour, tennis courts across the land will be jammed with waving rackets and over-bouncy new balls.

But fast-forward a few months, come your average, grey autumn day, and most courts lie empty; tennis rackets banished to the back of the cupboard until the next June and their next annual two-week airing.

Why?

Perhaps it's the weather - rain and wind never feels entirely conducive to batting about a ball. Perhaps it's the slightly stuffy image - true or not, there's a general feeling that tennis and tennis clubs, with their whites and their Pimm's, are slightly elitist. Most schools don't teach tennis either, so it can never really stand a chance against the behemoths of football, rugby, football or netball.

But it should stand a chance.

In fact, it shouldn't just stand it; it should jump up at the net and slam down a volley on it.

Because, for all the fair-weather doubters, for all the people who see it as 'difficult' or 'boring' or 'untouchable'; you're wrong. Tennis is one of the best sports you can play. And here's why:

It IS for all seasons

Firstly, let's address the aforementioned 'anti' tennis points; at number one, that the British weather and British winter is an excuse not to play. Well, it's not, at all - according to official figures, there are tens of thousands of tennis courts across the UK, and a good number of these are indoor. Even if you don't opt for one of these under-cover courts, there's no reason you can't brave the elements - after all, most tennis courts are all-weather surfaces, unchanged in rain or wind, unlike, say, the pitches for those other - oddly, when you think about it - 'winter-friendly' sports of rugby or football.

It IS for everyone

The second 'anti' tennis point was that people might see the game as a bit elitist, a bit of a middle-class haven out of reach for your average person. But think about some of the greatest players - Jimmy Connors, the Williams sisters, our own Andy Murray; none of them born into privilege, all of them learning to hit a ball on their local neighbourhood courts. This year, the LTA is highlighting this accessibility more than ever, with the launch of their nationwide Great British Tennis Weekends, (next dates, June 13-14 and August 1-2, clubspark.lta.org.uk/OpenDays) where 700 free tennis events will encourage families to pick up a racket. They'll provide these rackets (and balls) for free too (although, to be fair, buying them wouldn't set you back any more than a pair of football boots).

It's the ultimate exercise

Two years ago, LTA launched Cardio Tennis sessions; a pimped-up version of normal tennis, where you're "supported by music and qualified instructors", "get to hit lots of tennis balls", "have a great cardio workout at the same time", and can burn up to 600 calories.

Which is great, but even 'normal' tennis is a fitness fanatic's dream - an hour of singles will easily cut through 500 calories, with the brilliant added bonus of up to 500 bursts of energy per match (think a circuit class gone mad), endless arm and leg toning (think 60 minutes of weights, lunging, squatting and jumping), and constant twisting and stretching for your abs (think a solid hour of mini stomach crunches). Well, let's just say there's a reason Nadal looks like he does.

It boosts your brainpower

Scientists at the University of Illinois discovered the tactical thinking required in a game of tennis could generate new connections between nerves in the brain. This is hardly surprising; tennis is all about strategy, plotting your next point, driving your opponent to the wrong side of the court - imagine a game of chess with a lot of running.

And your willpower

Any sport, team or individual, requires a certain level of grit, yet there's something about tennis that really ups that level. You only have to watch one of those eternal professional matches, where after six hours of playing in stifling heat, both sides of the net still manage to dig into some unfathomable reserve of resilience and slog out another 40-point tie-break.

Or, of course, you could just stand on the court yourself. You will quickly realise how much tennis is all about you, how only you can make a difference, only you can try harder or run faster or dodge quicker - no teammates bailing you out (unless you're playing doubles, obviously), no taking a quick breather, no half-heartedly dribbling the ball to buy yourself time; just you, your racket, and a split second to read your opponent's shot, react, and do something about it.

And your confidence

Potentially stressful though that might sound, one joy of tennis is the worse you are, the more quickly you can learn to do this 'something'.

"What's great about tennis is even after one lesson, you can notice a huge difference," says Tom Crisp, head tennis coach at Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club, "especially if you're a beginner or an intermediate." He explains how making small tweaks can make a huge difference to someone's game, "and it's such a confidence booster, it means people want to keep playing".

Certainly, after an hour's tuition under Tom's watchful eye, he's ironed out a glaring error in my oft-in-the-net forehand (not finishing with my elbow high enough).

And he's right, I do feel different, and more confident, and I want to keep playing - whatever the time of year, whatever the weather, and whoever might win Wimbledon.

TRIED AND TESTED

Nel Staveley tests out a new weekly tennis session for women

WHAT IS IT?

Initially rolled out in London last summer, the LTA, in partnership with Nike, have now spread their weekly 'Tennis Tuesdays' to 89 venues delivering across 11 cities in the UK. The premise is simple but brilliant; an hour's lesson, with professional coaches, in local parks, only for women.

Rob Dearing, Head of Participation at LTA says: "Tennis is a sport that can be played by everyone, irrespective of age or ability. That's why at the LTA we're working hard with our partners to create as many opportunities as possible for people to get involved. That's why Tennis Tuesdays was developed - we saw an opportunity to promote female participation. Tennis Tuesdays offers busy women the chance to incorporate tennis into their lifestyle in a fun and manageable way. With a superb summer of tennis ahead of us, there has never been a better time to pick up a racket and hit the courts."

WHAT'S IT LIKE?

For all the benefits of tennis, finding a suitable venue or opponent can be tricky (club tennis can be intimidating, playing with friends - if you can even find one your level - can mean endless organisation). Thankfully, Tennis Tuesdays has an answer.

Once you've signed up online (you must be an improver or intermediate standard) all you need to do is book and then turn up - you don't even need to worry about lugging rackets and balls around, Tennis Tuesdays provide all equipment. The session then starts with basic warm-ups, then tuition on a certain aspect of the game (for example, closing the net or pushing forward), then you finish off with a (friendly) game against someone else in the class. Their tagline is 'Social tennis. Serious fun' - I couldn't sum it up better.

For more information, see: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/tennistuesdays