Though canines love tennis for its bouncy yellow balls, humans appreciate the freedom to bark loudly with each swing and bury their favorite rackets all over the court. Become a tennis beast with today's Groupon to Lakeshore Tennis Academy or On Time Stringing, both located in Homewood. Choose between the following options:

• For $11, you get two one-hour group tennis clinics for children at Lakeshore Tennis Academy (a $50 value).
• For $12, you get a racket restringing and regripping at On Time Stringing (a $48 value).

During Lakeshore Tennis Academy's clinics, tennis-loving tykes aged 4–10 clamber around courts and batter balls customized to their diminutive limbs. The QuickStart program introduces gripping and swinging techniques with the aid of engaging visual props and emphasizes a positive attitude, the vital trait that makes tennis players the smiliest athletes on Earth. The Future Stars clinic, for beginning and intermediate wallopers bound for tournament play, focuses on mechanics, court positioning, and game-based drills. Call to consult with Lakeshore Tennis Academy about which clinic is right for your tiny racketeer's skill level and age, and then schedule his or her swing sessions.

For shot-making tots and jaded Wimbledon veterans whose gear needs tweaking, On Time Stringing can retool a racket's grip, and turn lax, crooked strings into a taut grid like those used by waffles to camouflage themselves as checkerboards. The shop offers 24-hour turnaround as well as free pick-up and delivery to Homewood, Mountain Brook, Hoover, and Vestavia Hills.